Earth's Crown

Thorns had the Saviour of mankind
His only Crown while here below:
Could Earth no other garland find
With which to deck his holy brow?

Was he a King? yea; to his throne
Heaven, Earth, and Hell allegiance owe;
Nor glory his, nor power alone,—
What heart such depths of grief can know?

Should Earth, dear Lord, crown me with thorns,
Give strength to glory in the shame;
To feel that every thing adorns
My brow, if Jesus wore the same.

I now behold Him on a seat
Of majesty o’er angels raised;
The crowns of heaven laid at his feet,
His Holy Name by myriads praised.

And, Lord, among the crowns which heaven
Adoring, at thy footstool lays,
By contrite Earth may soon be given
A chaplet—not of shame, but praise.

For Thou hast crownèd her with flowers,
And, more than all, with saving love:
What debt so great can be as hers;
What diadem may worthy prove?

Favorite Welsh Hymns, 1854