IN NOCTIS UMBRA DESIDES

By Ennodius, Bishop of Pavia. ([65]See p. 32.)
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To Thee, O Christ, our prayers shall rise,
With tears of sorrow blending;
Come for our help Thou Holy One,
On our dark night descending.
Our hearts shall find their rest in Thee,
And e'en in dreams shall praise Thee;
And with each rising of the sun,
Anew their songs shall raise Thee.
Impart a noble life, and may
Our spirit's warmth be heightened.
Bid night depart, and with Thy love,
O may our lives be brightened.
In hymns we pay our vows to Thee:
At vesper-hour we pray,
Erase the writing we have made,
Thine own let stand for aye.
By Charles Coffin. ([66]See p. 3.)
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When evening shades around us close,
And bound in sleep our limbs repose,
The watchful soul, from slumber free,
Shall breathe its earnest prayer to Thee.
Desire of Nations, Word of God,
Thou Saviour of the World abroad,
Hear Thou our mournful prayer at length,
And raise the fallen by Thy strength.
Be near, Redeemer; by Thy grace
Forgive our erring sinful race,
Bound in the prison-house of sin--
O, open heaven and lead us in.
O Thou who cam'st to set us free,
To Thee, the Son, all praises be;
To Father, Spirit, Three in One,
While the eternal ages run.