Poems (Hornblower)/Morning Hymn

by Jane Elizabeth Roscoe Hornblower

For works with similar titles, see Morning Hymn.

MORNING HYMN.

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My God! in morning's radiant hour,
 To Thee would I lift up my heart;
The shades of night obey thy power,
 And at thy sun's bright beams depart.

From sleep's deep trance my thoughts arise,
 Obedient to Thy mighty call;
With all their powers and energies,
 And at thy will thou kindlest all.

Father and Guardian! to thy shrine,
 The life thou shieldest will I bring;
All, Great Creator! all is thine,
 My heart, the noblest offering!

The morning light shall see my prayer,
 The noon-day heats shall witness praise;
In evening gloom, and cooler air,
 The grateful hymn I still will raise.

And not a star shall shine above,
 The moon shall never beam her hour,
But still my soul shall bless thy love,
 Or, rapt in wonder, own thy power.

And when, with sweet and soothing sleep,
 My cares and sorrows find a rest,
Ere still oblivion o'er me creep,
 Thy trust shall calm the wearied breast.

The Spirit unto thee shall pour
 The joy or grief of that brief day;
Review its path when all is o'er,
 And humbled, yet confiding, pray.

That deep repose, that death-like scene,
 Safe in thy care shall welcome be;
The shadowy thoughts on Thee shall lean,
 The eyes' last beam be raised to Thee!

And should a 'deeper sleep impend,'
 A darker hour demand my faith,
With Thee, Creator, Guardian, Friend,
 I'll enter on the shades of death!