Seeking the Beloved

I

To those who know the Lord I speak,
  Is my Beloved near?
The Bridegroom of my soul I seek,
  Oh! when will he appear?

II

Though once a man of grief and shame,
  Yet now he fills a throne,
And bears the greatest, sweetest name,
  That earth or heaven have known.

III

Grace flies before, and love attends
  His steps where’er he goes;
Though none can see him but his friends,
  And they were once his foes.

IV

He speaks⁠—obedient to his call
  Our warm affections move;
Did he but shine alike on all,
  Then all alike would love.

V

Then love in every heart would reign,
  And war would cease to roar;
And cruel and blood-thirsty men
  Would thirst for blood no more.

VI

Such Jesus is, and such his grace,
  Oh may it shine on you!
And tell him, when you see his face,
  I long to see him too.