A Glorious Band, the Chosen Few

 St Stephen's Day
by Reginald Heber 

 The Son of God goes forth to war,
 A kingly crown to gain;
 His blood-red banner streams afar;
 Who follows in his train?
 Who best can drink his cup of wo,
 Triumphant over pain,
 Who patient bears his cross below,
 He follows in his train. 

 The martyr first, whose eagle eye
 Could pierce beyond the grave;
 Who saw his Master in the sky,
 And called on him to save.
 Like Him, with pardon on his tongue
 In midst of mortal pain,
 He prayed for them that did the wrong.
 Who follows in his train? 

 A glorious band, the chosen few,
 On whom the spirit came;
 Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame.