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 Forward, champion, in thy quarrel! Certain of a certain laurel, Holy Stephen, persevere! Perjur'd witnesses confounding, Satan's Synagogue astounding By thy doctrine true and clear.

Lo! in Heaven thy Witness liveth: Bright and faithful proof He giveth Of His Martyr's blamelessness: Thou by name a Crown impliest; Meetly then in pangs thou diest For the Crown of Righteousness!

For a crown that fadeth never, Bear the torturer's brief endeavour; Victory waits to end the strife: Death shall be thy birth's beginning, And life's losing be the winning Of the true and better Life.

Whom the endueth, Whom celestial sight embueth, Stephen penetrates the skies; There Good's fullest glory viewing, There his victor strength renewing, For his near reward he sighs.