I kneel atop a precipice in life
While grasping two contentious loves of old,
As bitter gusts and breath-bereaving strife
Are slowly tearing at my weary hold.
One love, of wicked impulse indulging,
The depraved hunger in my breast beating;
The other Love, to my soul divulging,
Truth scorned: world's carnal joys are fast fleeting.
Both loves of past and future make war here
And importune to let the other go;
Condemning one to save one would appear
To rescue me as well from death below.
But now my captive soul loves one alone--
My loving Savior whose mercy atones.