attributed to either
Joseph of the Studium
(762-832)
or
Joseph the Hymnographer
(c. 810 – c. 883)
translated by
John Mason Neale
(1818-1866)
Safe home, safe home in port!
—Rent cordage, shattered deck,
Torn sails, provisions short,
And only not a wreck:
But oh! the joy upon the shore
To tell our voyage-perils o’er!
The prize, the prize secure!
The athlete nearly fell;
Bore all he could endure,
And bore not always well:
But he may smile at troubles gone
Who sets the victor-garland on!
No more the foe can harm,
No more of leaguered camp,
And cry of night-alarm,
And need of ready lamp;
And yet how nearly he had failed—
How nearly had that foe prevailed!
The lamb is in the fold
In perfect safety penned;
The lion once had hold,
And thought to make an end;
But One came by with Wounded Side,
And for the sheep the Shepherd died.
The exile is at Home!
O nights and days of tears,
O longings not to roam,
O sins, and doubts, and fears—
What matter now (when so men say)
The King has wiped those tears away?
O happy, happy Bride!
Thy widowed hours are past,
The Bridegroom at thy side,
Thou all His own at last!
The sorrows of thy former cup
In full fruition swallowed up!
