Poems (Procter)/Evening Hymn

by Adelaide Anne Procter

For works with similar titles, see Evening Hymn.

EVENING HYMN.

HE shadows of the evening hours
 Fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers
 The dews of evening lie:
Before thy throne, O Lord of heaven,
 We kneel at close of day;
Look on thy children from on high,
 And hear us while we pray.

The sorrows of thy servants, Lord,
 O do not thou despise;
But let the incense of our prayers
 Before thy mercy rise;
The brightness of the coming night
 Upon the darkness rolls:
With hopes of future glory chase
 The shadows on our souls.

Slowly the rays of daylight fade;
 So fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy,
 That one by one depart:
Slowly the bright stars, one by one,
 Within the heavens shine;—
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in Heaven,
 And trust in things divine.

Let peace, O Lord, thy peace, O God,
 Upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears and perils, thou
 Our trembling hearts defend;
Give us a respite from our toil,
 Calm and subdue our woes;
Through the long day we suffer, Lord,
 O give us now repose!