4 And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife And ye, beneath life's crushing load With painful steps and slow,— For lo! the days are hastening on, Comes round the age of gold; And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing. EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS. EPIPHANY. "We have seen his star in the east." -MATTHEW ii. 2. 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. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all. Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would his favor secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. 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. REGINALD HEBER. |