1. Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life's alarms when by myself I stand; imprison me within thine arms, and strong shall be my hand. 2. My heart is weak and poor until it master find; it has no spring of action sure, it varies with the wind. It cannot freely move till thou hast wrought its chain; enslave it with thy matchless love, and deathless it shall reign. 3. My power is faint and low till I have learned to serve; it lacks the needed fire to glow, it lacks the breeze to nerve. It cannot drive the world until itself be driven; its flag can only be unfurled when thou shalt breathe from heaven. 4. My will is not my own till thou hast made it thine; if it would reach a monarch's throne, it must its crown resign. It only stands unbent amid the clashing strife, when on thy bosom it has leant, and found in thee its life.