Dawn the Day with Fire

The Descent from the Cross (1650/1652) by Constantijn van Renesse

Dawn the day with fire as though in it you should die. 

When all the world chews and spits your godly name,

Upon the cross hangs your everlasting why.

Though, by lowly flesh, the calling seems too high

 Dash your spirit against the stony heart of man all the same. 

 Dawn the day with fire as though in it you should die. 

Never once forget, as Hell recalls, hidden to the eye 

Your foe as you bears a costly claim. 

Upon the cross hangs your answer everlasting why. 

Should this dark night be the last you see the sky 

Burn, blaze a hole to Heaven, the star they could not tame. 

Dawn the day with fire as though in it you should die. 

Go forth, baptizing a nation in each tear you cry 

Over small coffins, scorched earth—None to blame? 

Upon the cross hangs your answer everlasting why. 

Be slain, by God or man, be slain with spirit high 

That not your blood cool but to His greater fame. 

Dawn the day with fire as though in it you should die. 

Upon the cross hangs your answer everlasting why.