Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

John Henry Newman 1801–90

The Pillar of the Cloud

Newman-J

LEAD, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home—

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene,—one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou

Shouldst lead me on.

I lov’d to choose and see my path; but now

Lead Thou me on!

I lov’d the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride rul’d my will: remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath bless’d me, sure it still

Will lead me on,

O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till

The night is gone;

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have lov’d long since, and lost awhile.