| |
| THE SUN descending in the west, | |
| The evening star does shine; | |
| The birds are silent in their nest, | |
| And I must seek for mine. | |
| The moon, like a flower, | 5 |
| In heaven’s high bower, | |
| With silent delight | |
| Sits and smiles on the night. | |
| |
| Farewell, green fields and happy groves, | |
| Where flocks have took delight. | 10 |
| Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves | |
| The feet of angels bright; | |
| Unseen they pour blessing, | |
| And joy without ceasing, | |
| On each bud and blossom, | 15 |
| And each sleeping bosom. | |
| |
| They look in every thoughtless nest, | |
| Where birds are cover’d warm; | |
| They visit caves of every beast, | |
| To keep them all from harm. | 20 |
| If they see any weeping | |
| That should have been sleeping, | |
| They pour sleep on their head, | |
| And sit down by their bed. | |
| |
| When wolves and tigers howl for prey, | 25 |
| They pitying stand and weep; | |
| Seeking to drive their thirst away, | |
| And keep them from the sheep. | |
| But if they rush dreadful, | |
| The angels, most heedful, | 30 |
| Receive each mild spirit, | |
| New worlds to inherit. | |
| |
| And there the lion’s ruddy eyes | |
| Shall flow with tears of gold, | |
| And pitying the tender cries, | 35 |
| And walking round the fold, | |
| Saying ‘Wrath, by His meekness, | |
| And, by His health, sickness | |
| Is driven away | |
| From our immortal day. | 40 |
| |
| ‘And now beside thee, bleating lamb, | |
| I can lie down and sleep; | |
| Or think on Him who bore thy name, | |
| Graze after thee and weep. | |
| For, wash’d in life’s river, | 45 |
| My bright mane for ever | |
| Shall shine like the gold | |
| As I guard o’er the fold.’ | |
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