To Conquer and to Save

To conquer and to save, the Son of God
Came to his own in great humility,

To conquer and to save, the Son of God
Came to his own in great humility,
Who wont to ride on cherub wings abroad,
And round him wrap the mantle of the sky.
The mountains bent their necks to form his road;
The clouds dropt down their fatness from on high;
Beneath his feet the wild waves softly flowed,
And the winds kissed his garments tremblingly.

The grave unbolted half his grisly door,
(For darkness and the deep had heard his fame,
Nor longer might their ancient rule endure; )
The mightiest of mankind stood hushed and tame:
And, trooping on strong wing, his angels came
To work his will, and kingdom to secure;
No strength he needed save his father’s name;
Babes were his heralds, and his friends the poor.

Reginald Heber