Alexander B. Grosart (1835–1899)

O HOLY GHOST! come as the DEW,

All soft and still this quiet eve;

Our first-love’s joy do Thou renew,

As to those who did first believe.

O Holy Ghost! come as the FIRE,

In our cold hearts light up Thy flame;

That touch’d of Thee, we may aspire,

And shrink not from His glorious shame.

O Holy Ghost! come as the WIND,

To shake quick ev’ry barrier down;

That, restfully on Him reclin’d,

We Him, He us, may gracious own.

O Holy Ghost! come as the RAIN,

That sweetly heals the new-mown grass;

Refresh and strengthen, that again

We on our upward way may pass.

O Holy Ghost! come as the LIGHT,

Pure-breaking as doth break the Day;

Work in us by Thy gentle might,

Such hopes as shall our fears affray.

O Holy Ghost! be Thou our LIFE,

Our life that’s hid with Christ in God;

Make Thou us strong in the sore strife,

Guarding us in the paths He trod.

O Dew! O Fire! O Wind! O Rain!

O Light of Life! O Life of Light!

We would the height of heights attain,—

We would be strengthen’d by Thy MIGHT.