Knowledge, alas! 'tis all in vain,

And all in vain our fear;

Our stubborn sins will fight and reign,

If love be absent there.

'Tis love that makes our cheerful feet

In swift obedience move;

The devils know and tremble too,

But Satan cannot love.

This is the grace that lives and sings

When faith and hope shall cease;

'Tis this shall strike our joyful strings

In the sweet, realms of bliss.

Before we quite forsake our clay,

Or leave this dark abode,

The wings of love bear us away

To see our smiling God.