The Ten Virgins (Dickinson)

Ere that so­lemn hour of doom

When the Son of man shall come

Bidding quick and bid­ding dead

Rise to meet their ris­en Head

Church of Je­sus

hear the Word

Of thine own eter­nal Lord.

Virgins ten with joy­ous feet

Went the Bride­groom forth to meet;

Wise with heav­en­ly wis­dom

five

Kept with oil their lamps alive;

Five with earth-born fol­ly dim

Scorned with oil their lamps to trim.

While the Bride­groom yet de­layed

Slumber bowed each vir­gin head;

Sudden rose the mid­night cry—

Lo

the Bride­groom draw­eth nigh!

Leapt to life that vir­gin train

Trimmed their dy­ing lamps amain.

Vainly now for oil ye cry

Foolish vir­gins

hence

and buy;

Fast thy speed—when lo! the door

Closes on them ev­er­more:

Stern the voice which stuns each heart

Hence

I know you not

de­part.

Church of Je­sus

rise and pray

Dark that hour

and nigh that day;

Woe

ye hy­po­crites

to you

Trim your saints

your lamps anew;

For the Bride­groom watch and wait

Jesus Christ is at the gate.