Robert Herrick. The Christian Militant.

THE CHRISTIAN MILITANT.
by Robert Herrick

A MAN prepar'd against all ills to come,
That dares to dead the fire of martyrdom ;
That sleeps at home, and sailing there at ease,
Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas ;
That's counter-proof against the farm's mishaps,
Undreadful too of courtly thunderclaps ;
That wears one face, like heaven, and never shows
A change when fortune either comes or goes ;
That keeps his own strong guard in the despite
Of what can hurt by day or harm by night ;
That takes and re-delivers every stroke
Of chance (as made up all of rock, and oak) ;
That sighs at others' death, smiles at his own
Most dire and horrid crucifixion.
Who for true glory suffers thus, we grant
Him to be here our Christian militant.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 160.

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