Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | | | IV. Sabbath: Worship: Creed | | Vesper Hymn | | Eliza Scudder (1821–1896) |
| | | THE DAY is done; the weary day of thought and toil is past, | |
| Soft falls the twilight cool and gray on the tired earth at last: | |
| By wisest teachers wearied, by gentlest friends oppressed, | |
| In thee alone, the soul, outworn, refreshment finds, and rest. | |
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| Bend, Gracious Spirit, from above, like these o’erarching skies, | 5 |
| And to thy firmament of love lift up these longing eyes; | |
| And, folded by thy sheltering hand, in refuge still and deep, | |
| Let blessed thoughts from thee descend, as drop the dews of sleep. | |
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| And when refreshed the soul once more puts on new life and power; | |
| Oh, let thine image, Lord, alone, gild the first waking hour! | 10 |
| Let that dear Presence dawn and glow, fairer than morn’s first ray, | |
| And thy pure radiance overflow the splendor of the day. | |
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| So in the hastening even, so in the coming morn, | |
| When deeper slumber shall be given, and fresher life be born. | |
| Shine out, true Light! to guide my way amid that deepening gloom, | 15 |
| And rise, O Morning Star, the first that dayspring to illume! | |
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| I cannot dread the darkness where thou wilt watch o’er me, | |
| Nor smile to greet the sunrise unless thy smile I see; | |
| Creator, Saviour, Comforter! on thee my soul is cast; | |
| At morn, at night, in earth, in heaven, be thou my First and Last! | 20 | | | |
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