CCCLXIII. An Evening HYMN, to be used when composing oneself to sleep.

INTERVAL of grateful Shade,
Welcome to my weary Head!
Welcome Slumbers to mine Eyes,
Tir'd with glaring Vanities!
My great Master still allows
Needful Periods of Repose:
By my heav'nly Father blest
Thus I give my Pow'rs to Rest;
Heav'nly Father! gracious Name!
Night and Day his Love the same:
Far be each suspicious Thought,
Ev'ry anxious Care forgot:
Thou, mine ever-bounteous GOD,
Crown'st my Days with various Good:
Thy kind Eye, that cannot sleep,
These defenceless Hours shall keep:
Blest Vicissitude to me!
Day and Night I'm still with Thee.

What tho' downy Slumbers flee,
Strangers to my Couch and me?
Sleepless well I know to rest,
Lodg'd within my Father's Breast.
While the Empress of the Night
Scatters mild her Silver Light;
While the vivid Planets stray
Various thro' their mystick Way;
While the Stars unnumber'd roll
Round the ever-constant Pole;
Far above these spangled Skies
All my Soul to GOD shall rise;
'Midst the Silence of the Night
Mingling with those Angels bright,
Whose harmonious Voices raise
Ceaseless Love and ceaseless Praise:
Thro' the Throng his gentle Ear
Shall my tuneless Accents hear;
From on high doth he impart
Secret Comfort to my Heart.
He in these serenest Hours
Guides my intellectual Pow'rs,
And his Spirit doth diffuse,
Sweeter far than Midnight Dews,
Lifting all my Thoughts above
On the Wings of Faith and Love.
Blest Alternative to me,
Thus to sleep, or wake, with Thee!

What if Death my Sleep invade?
Should I be of Death afraid?
Whilst encircled by thine Arm,
Death may strike, but cannot harm.
What if Beams of op'ning Day
Shine around my breathless Clay?
Brighter Visions from on high
Shall regale my mental Eye.
Tender Friends awhile may mourn
Me from their Embraces torn;
Dearer better Friends I have
In the Realms beyond the Grave.
See the guardian Angels nigh
Wait to waft my Soul on high!
See the golden Gates display'd!
See the Crown to grace my Head!
See a Flood of sacred Light,
Which no more shall yield to Night!
Transitory World, farewell!
Jesus calls with him to dwell.
With thy heav'nly Presence blest,
Death is Life, and Labour Rest.
Welcome Sleep, or Death to me!
Still secure, for still with Thee.