Jesu, gieb uns dein' Gnad

[233]Anon.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

Jesu be ne'er forgot,

That the World harm us not!

False is she, proud and cold,

False are her gifts and gold.

Jesu be ne'er forgot,

That Honour harm us not!

Brittle as glass her throne,

Worthless as straws her crown.

Jesu be ne'er forgot,

That her Pomp hurt us not!

Pomp and the praise of men

Vanish in mist again.

Jesu be ne'er forgot,

That the Flesh hurt us not!

Dust all and merest show,

What doth so fairly glow.

O Flesh, O fading grass,

Passing as bubbles pass,

Fresh to-day and rosy red,

Sick to-morrow, pale and dead!