527. Leap, John!

This hymn doesn't name Mary, Elizabeth or even John, but they're all there. So is Herod, for that matter. But it does name Christ. Funnily enough, I was thinking about writing an "Un-12 Days of Christmas" hymn but instead, this is what came out. So, I guess it's an Advent hymn. Or maybe a Martyrdom of John the Baptist hymn. Again, I haven't given any thought to a tune pairing for it. Suggestions are welcome.

Leap, prophet yet unborn,
Upon the maiden's greeting
Whose babe, the age completing,
Its dragon-lord defeating,
Will die to pull death's thorn!

Discern from womb to womb:
In her is tabernacled
He who sin's bond has crackled,
By whom man comes unshackled
From death and Hades' gloom.

Prepare to run ahead:
Soft fare and garb rejecting,
Men to repent directing,
A King and Lamb expecting
To smite the serpent's head.

Prepare to run and pour
On heads abased, lamenting,
God's grace, from wrath relenting,
On even Christ consenting
To place this seal once more.

Prepare to run and point
To Him, your role disowning:
Whose head for His enthroning,
For all the world atoning,
'Tis strangely yours t'anoint.

Prepare to run and die,
To wane as He is waxing;
A tyrant's temper taxing,
Your trial ne'er relaxing
Till you awake on high.

Prepare to leap again
With all the resurrected,
To greet the Lamb perfected,
And with all saints elected
Join in the angels' strain!

ART: The Meeting of Mary and Elisabeth by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1866, Frederiksborg Castle. Public domain.