At midnight a loud cry was heard,
"The bridegroom cometh; go
Ye out to meet him with your lamps,
And to him honour show."

The virgins rose to trim their lamps;
The wise ones took their light,
The foolish ones who had no oil
Were found in gloomy night.

They said unto the virgins wise,
"Of your oil, give us some;"
They answered, "We have but enough;
But to the city come,

"And buy of oil, and trim your lamps;"
So while they went to buy,
A voice was heard which said aloud,
"The bridegroom draweth nigh."

Those virgins wise who trimm'd their lamps,
Went forth to meet the guest,
And hail'd him with delight, and went
With him into the feast.

The foolish virgins came and knock'd,
Admittance to obtain;
The bridegroom answer'd them, and said.
"Ye cannot entrance gain.