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But the Christian lyric maintains its life and inspiration through the vicissitudes of age and use, as all intrinsically superior things can and will,—and as in the twentieth line,— When my eyestrings break in death; —modernized to— When my eyelids close in death, —the hymn will ever adapt itself to the new exigencies of common speech, without losing its vitality and power.

Whilst I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyestrings break in death; When I soar through tracts unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.