The Pilgrims of Jesus

Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884], at sacred-texts.com

p. 245

THE PILGRIMS OF JESUS

by S. Joseph of the Studium

O happy band of pilgrims,
  If onward ye will tread
With Jesus as your Fellow
  To Jesus as your Head!

O happy, if ye labour
  As Jesus did for men:
O happy, if ye hunger
  As Jesus hunger’d then!

The Cross that Jesus carried
  He carried as your due:
The Crown that Jesus weareth
  He weareth it for you.

p. 246

The Faith by which ye see Him,
  The Hope, in which ye yearn,
The Love that through all troubles
  To Him alone will turn,—

What are they, but vaunt-couriers
  To lead you to His Sight?
What are they, save the effluence
  Of Uncreated Light?

The trials that beset you,
  The sorrows ye endure,
The manifold temptations
  That Death alone can cure,—

What are they, but His jewels
  Of right celestial worth?
What are they but the ladder,
  Set up to Heav’n on earth?

p. 247

O happy band of pilgrims,
  Look upward to the skies:—
Where such a light affliction
  Shall win you such a prize!