With the ambassadors, who come in vain
To entice him to a throne again.
If I my friends (said he) should to you show
All the delights which in these gardens grow,
'Tis likelier much, that you should with me stay,
Than 'tis that you should carry me away;
And trust me not, my friends, if every day,
I walk not here with more delight,
Than ever after the most happy light,
In triumph to the Capitol I rode,
To thank the gods, and to be thought, myself, almost a god.
Now from the altar of my heart
New incense-flame arise;
Assist me, Lord, to offer up
Mine evening sacrifice.
Awake, my love; awake, my joy;
Awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not when mercies loudly call,
Break forth into a song.
Man's life's a book of history
The leaves thereof are days;
The letters, mercies closely join'd;
The title is thy praise.
This day God was my sun and shield,
My keeper and my guide;
His care was on my frailty shown,
His mercies multiplied.
THEE, Sovereign God, our grateful accents praise;
We own Thee Lord, and bless Thy wondrous ways;
To Thee, Eternal Father, earth's whole frame,
With loudest trumpets, sounds immortal fame.
LORD GOD OF HOSTS! to Thee the heavenly Powers.
With sounding anthems, fill the vaulted towers.
The Cherubims thrice Holy, Holy, Holy, cry;
Thrice Holy all the Seraphims reply,
And thrice returning echoes endless songs supply.
Both Heaven and earth Thy Majesty display;
They owe their beauty to Thy glorious ray.
Thy praises fill the loud Apostles' choir,
The Train of Prophets in the song conspire.
Legions of Martyrs in the chorus shine,
And vocal blood with vocal music join.
By these Thy church, inspired by heavenly art,
Around the world maintains a second part;
And tunes her sweetest notes, O God, to Thee,
The Father of unbounded majesty;
The Son, adored, co-partner of Thy seat,
And equal everlasting Paraclete.
Thou King of Glory, Christ of the Most High,
Thou co-eternal filial Deity;
Thou who to save the world's impending doom,
Vouchsafest to dwell within a Virgin's womb;
Old tyrant Death disarmed, before Thee flew
The bolts of Heaven, and back the foldings drew,
To give access, and make Thy faithful way;
From God's right hand Thy filial beams display;
Thou art to judge the living and the dead;
Then spare those souls for which Thy veins have bled.
O take us up among Thy bless'd above,
To share with them Thy everlasting love.
Preserve, O Lord! Thy people, and enhance
Thy blessing on Thy own inheritance.
For ever raise their hearts, and rule their ways,
Each day we bless Thee, and proclaim Thy praise;
No age shall fail to celebrate Thy name,
No hour neglect Thy everlasting fame.
Preserve our souls, O Lord, this day from ill;
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy still;
As we have hoped, do Thou reward our pain;
We've hoped in Thee,-let not our hope be vain.
John Dryden.
CREATOR Spirit! by whose aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come visit every pious mind;
Come pour thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make Thy temples worthy Thee.
Chase from our minds the infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way.
My God, I now from sleep awake,
The sole possession of me take ;
From midnight terrors me secure,
And guard my heart from thoughts impure.
Bless'd angels, while we silent lie,
You hallelujahs sing on high;
Your joyful hymn, the ever-blest,
Before your throne, and never rest.
I with your choir celestial join,
In offering up a hymn divine;
With you in Heaven I hope to dwell,
And bid the night and world farewell.
My soul, when I shake off this dust,
Lord in Thy arms I will intrust;
O make me Thy peculiar care,
Some mansion for my soul prepare.
O may I always ready stand,
With my lamp burning in my hand;
May I in right of Heaven rejoice
Whene'er I hear the Bridegroom's voice.
All praise to Thee, in light array'd,
Who light Thy dwelling-place hast made,-
A boundless ocean of bright beams
From Thy all-glorious Godhead streams.
Blest Jesus, Thou in Heaven intent,
Whole nights hast in devotion spent ;
But I, frail creature, now am tired,
And all my zeal is soon expired.
Shine on me, Lord, new life impart,
Fresh ardour kindle in my heart;
One ray of Thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
Lord, lest the tempter me surprise,
Watch over Thine own sacrifice;
All loose, all idle thoughts cast out,
Make my very dreams devout.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
DEATH! when you shall approach my head,
You'll nothing see but what is dead;
Yet do not me forsake,
Care of my body take;
Lay me with gentle hands asleep
God in the grave my dust will keep.
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