125.

2 Grant to life's day a calm, unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
The brightness of a holy death-bed blending
With dawning glories of the eternal day.

AMBROSE OF MILAN, 4th cent. Trans. JOHN ELLERTON
and FENTON JOHN ANTHONY HORT.

'Ecce jam noctis tenuatur umbra.'

Now, when the dusky shades of night retreating
Before the sun's red banner swiftly flee;
Now, when the terrors of the dark are fleeting,
O Lord, we lift our grateful hearts to thee, -
To thee, whose word, the fount of life unsealing,
When hill and dale in thickest darkness lay,
Awoke bright rays across the dim earth stealing,

And bade the eve and morn complete the day.
Look from the height of heaven, and send to cheer us
Thy light and truth, and guide us onward still;
Still let thy mercy, as of old, be near us,

And lead us safely to thy holy hill.

Freely trans. from GREGORY THE GREAT, in Hymns for the Church of Christ,* 1853.

Lord, I my vows to thee renew:
Disperse my sins as morning dew,

130.

Lord God of morning.

Lord God of morning and of night,
We thank thee for thy grace of light;
As in the dawn the shadows fly,
Thy presence shines on us more nigh.

Fresh hopes have wakened in the heart,
Fresh force to take the loftier part;
Thy slumber-balms our strength restore,
Throughout the day to serve thee more.

Yet whilst thy will we would pursue,
Oft what we would we cannot do;
The sun may stand in zenith skies,
But on the soul thick midnight lies.

O Lord of lights, 't is thou alone
Canst make our darkened hearts thine own

Guard my first springs of thought and will, Though this new day with joy we see,
And with thyself my spirit fill.

Great dawn of God, we cry for thee.

THOMAS KEN, 1695.

FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE, 1860.