Oh, could we learn that sacrifice, What lights would all around us rise! We need not bid, for cloister'd cell, The trivial round, the common task, 48 52 56 Seek we no more; content with these, 60 Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love 1827. EVENING John Keble. T IS gone, that bright and orbed blaze, 64 In darkness and in weariness The traveller on his way must press; Sun of my soul! Thou Saviour dear, When round thy wondrous works below Or by the light Thy words disclose When with dear friends sweet talk I hold, And all the flowers of life unfold 12 16 20 8 Let not my heart within me burn, 24 When the soft dews of kindly sleep Be my last thought, how sweet to rest Abide with me from morn till eve, 28 Abide with me when night is nigh, Thou Framer of light and dark, Steer through the tempest Thine own ark: We are in port if we have Thee. The Rulers of this Christian land, 'Twixt Thee and us ordained to stand,Guide Thou their course, O Lord, aright, Let all do all as in Thy sight. Oh! by Thine own sad burthen, borne If some poor wandering child of Thine Watch by the sick: enrich the poor Come near and bless us when we wake, We lose ourselves in Heaven above. 1827. 40 44 48 52 56 John Keble. A CHRISTMAS HYMN It was the calm and silent night! Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Rome been growing up to might, And now was Queen of land and sea. Held undisturb'd their ancient reign, 'T was in the calm and silent night! His breast with thoughts of boundless sway: What reck'd the Roman what befell A paltry province far away, In the solemn midnight Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor: 20 10 Across his path. He pass'd-for nought O strange indifference!-low and high The world was listening-unawares. One that shall thrill the world for ever! To that still moment none would heed, Man's doom was link'd, no more to sever, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago! It is the calm and silent night! A thousand bells ring out, and throw Their joyous peals abroad, and smite The darkness, charm'd and holy now. The night that erst no name had worn, To it a happy name is given; For in that stable lay new-born The peaceful Prince of Earth and Heaven, In the solemn midnight 1837. Centuries ago! 30 40 50 Alfred Domett. |