midnight.
73
By day, amid the thronging cares of life,
We can forget the dignity of him
Whose nature links him to the myriad hosts,
That dwell amid the uncreated beams
Of heaven's effulgent day. We can forget
How we have turned us from the sacred Fount
Of truth and wisdom infinite. But when
Its star-gemmed mantle, darkness casts around,
O! who can gaze upon the countless realms
That stud the azure canopy above,
Nor feel his littleness, the vanity
Of earth and all its joys, the priceless wealth
Of heaven, and all his own immortal hopes?
Who does not yearn to soar to that abode,
Promised a sure and holy heritage,
To those who follow His supreme command,
Whose will created man for bliss and heaven?
We can forget the dignity of him
Whose nature links him to the myriad hosts,
That dwell amid the uncreated beams
Of heaven's effulgent day. We can forget
How we have turned us from the sacred Fount
Of truth and wisdom infinite. But when
Its star-gemmed mantle, darkness casts around,
O! who can gaze upon the countless realms
That stud the azure canopy above,
Nor feel his littleness, the vanity
Of earth and all its joys, the priceless wealth
Of heaven, and all his own immortal hopes?
Who does not yearn to soar to that abode,
Promised a sure and holy heritage,
To those who follow His supreme command,
Whose will created man for bliss and heaven?
Thou sacred Fount of purity and love!
Whose guiding hand my feeble steps upholds,
O! give me strength that narrow way to tread,
Which leads me through the mazy path of earth
To heaven.
Whose guiding hand my feeble steps upholds,
O! give me strength that narrow way to tread,
Which leads me through the mazy path of earth
To heaven.
