(4-4 rhythm)
Ignatius’ love for Christ was lion-heartedly defiant
It roared! in seven letters to his flocks
When Trajan’s men condemned him to be prey for starving lions
He inked this pledge; I warm you that it shocks!

(3-4 rhythm)
“The fire and the cross and the packs of wild beasts
“The gashes, the rendings and wrenching of bone
“The mangling of limbs and the crushing of… body
“The devil’s own tortures…” (to be suffered alone)

“Let such come upon me”, Ignatius announced
“if…

I may gain…

Christ!” (1)

(4-4 rhythm)
This sentiment is sourced in the apostle Paul’s epistle
He lists his “light afflictions” borne in meekness  (2)
To boast not of himself but of what’s souly beneficial:
The Cross and that which fully “shows his weakness” (3)

Such as…

(3-4 rhythm)
“…imprisonments… beatings and often near death (4)
“And five times I suffered the 39 lashes
“Then thrice I was beaten with rods, and once stoned
“And thrice also shipwrecked… adrift” in the splashes

“Then danger from rivers, and danger from robbers
“And danger from fam’ly; from Gentiles; false peers
“Through danger in cities, in wild lands and waters
“Through sleeplessness, hunger; through cold and through fears”

“For His sake I’ve lost all things, deeming them dung [literal translation]
“that I may gain Christ!” (5) May this song ever be sung!

*****
(1) https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm
(2) 2 Corinthians 4:17
(3) 2 Corinthians 11:30
(4) 2 Corinthians 11:23ff
(5) Philippians 3:8

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage [dung], that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” -Philippians 3:8-11