| Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907. | | | Hymns.
II. “Brightest and best of the sons of the morning” | | By Reginald Heber (1783–1826) |
| | (Epiphany)
BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning! | |
| Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine aid; | |
| Star of the East, the horizon adorning, | |
| Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid! | |
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| Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining, | 5 |
| Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall; | |
| Angels adore Him, in slumber reclining, | |
| Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all! | |
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| Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, | |
| Odours of Edom and offerings Divine? | 10 |
| Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, | |
| Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? | |
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| Vainly we offer each ample oblation; | |
| Vainly with gifts would His favour secure; | |
| Richer, by far, is the heart’s adoration; | 15 |
| Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. | |
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| Brightest and best of the sons of the morning! | |
| Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine aid; | |
| Star of the East, the horizon adorning, | |
| Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid! | 20 | | | |
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