Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The Ill that I this Day have done;
That with the World, my self, and Thee,
I e're I sleep, at Peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread
The Grave as little as my Bed;
To die, that this vile Body may
Rise glorious at the awful Day.
O! may my Soul on Thee repose,
And may sweet Sleep mine Eye-lids close;
Sleep, that may me more Vig'rous make,
To serve my God when I awake.
When in the Night I sleepless lie,
My Soul with Heavenly Thoughts supply;
Let no ill Dreams disturb my Rest,
No Powers of Darkness me molest.
Dull Sleep of Sense me to deprive,
I am but half my Time alive,
Thy faithful Lovers, Lord, are griev'd
To lie so long of Thee bereav'd.
Yet tho' Sleep o'er my Frailty reigns,
Let it not hold me long in Chains;
And now and then let loose my Heart,
Till it an Hallelujah dart.
The faster Sleep the Senses binds,
The more unfetter'd are our Minds,
O may my Soul from Matter free,
Thy Loveliness unclouded see!
O when shall I in endless Day,
For ever chase dark Sleep away,
And Hymns with the Supernal Choir,
Incessant sing, and never tire!
