BISHOP KEN. That all my powers, with all their might, Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, For Evening. Glory to Thee, my God, this night, Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, Teach me to live, that I may dread O may my soul on Thee repose, When in the night I sleepless lie, Dull sleep of sense me to deprive, I am but half my days alive; Thy faithful lovers, Lord, are grieved But though sleep o'er my frailty reigns, Let it not hold me long in chains, 393 The faster sleep the sense does bind, O when shall I in endless day, And endless praise, with th' heavenly choir, You, my blest Guardian, whilst I sleep, Close to my bed your vigils keep, Divine love into me instil, Stop all the avenues of ill.* Thought to thought with my soul converse, Celestial joys to me rehearse, And in my stead, all the night long Sing to my God a grateful song. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye angelic host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. For Midnight. Lord, now my sleep does me forsake, The sole possession of me take; Bless'd angels, while we silent lie, I now awake do with you join, And bid the night and world farewell. * It would have been better if this prayer had been addressed to the Divine Spirit Himself. As it is, it is too like the Romish invocation of angels. BISHOP KEN. My soul, when I shake off this dust, Give me a place at Thy saints' feet, O may I always ready stand, Glory to Thee in light array'd, Who light Thy dwelling-place hast mad The sun, in its meridian height, With thought and love of Thy great name. Blest Jesu, Thou on heaven intent, My soul, how canst thou weary grow Shine on me, Lord, new life impart, 395 The Traveller's Hymn. How are Thy servants blest, O Lord! In foreign realms, and lands remote, Through burning climes I pass'd unhurt, And breathed in tainted air. Thy mercy sweeten'd every soil, Think, O my soul! devoutly think, Confusion dwelt on every face, And fear in every heart, When waves on waves, and gulfs on gulfs, O'ercame the pilot's art. Yet then from all my griefs, O Lord! Thy mercy set me free; Whilst in the confidence of prayer My soul took hold on Thee. For though in dreadful whirls we hung * See ante, page 32. VOL. IV. ADDISON. I knew Thou wert not slow to hear, The storm was laid, the winds retired, The sea that roar'd at Thy command, In midst of dangers, fears, and death, I'll praise Thee for Thy mercies past, My life, it Thou preserv'st my life, And death, if death must be my doom, Creation's Testimony. The spacious firmament on high, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim: Th' unwearied sun, from day to day, And publishes to every land The work of an Almighty hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, Whilst all the stars that round her burn, What though in solemn silence all 397 |