Thursday Evening

SPLENDOR PATERNÆ GLORIÆ

This morning hymn is the complement of Æterne rerum Conditor, and, like it, almost indisputably by St. Ambrose. Its use was generally for Matins or Lauds on Monday; by some monastic orders it was used daily.

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From the Father's throne descending,
Light from out the realms of light;
Font of light, all light transcending,
Brighter day in day most bright.
Shine, True Light, in radiant brightness,
Flashing forth perpetual ray;
May Thy Spirit's searching lightness,
Fill our souls with endless day.
Father, come we humbly bending,--
Father of Almighty grace,
Who hast glory never ending,
Banish every sinful trace.
When to do Thy will inclining,
Quell for us the tempter's wrath;
Ne'er in trial's hour repining,
Lead us in the upward path.
May Thy rule our minds enlighten;
Let no sin our lives defile;
Fervent faith our spirits brighten,
Knowing nought of fraud or guile.
Christ, the Bread of Life bestowing,
Faith our daily cup shall fill;
Draughts of joy for ever flowing,
Drink we from the Spirit's rill.
Thus our life in beauty gliding--
Purity like dawn of day,
Faith like sun at noon abiding,
Eve that knows no twilight grey.
Forth in beauty rides the Morning--
Be Thy glory on us poured;
Son, the Father's love adorning,
Father in th' Eternal Word.
SALVATOR MUNDI, DOMINE

Author unknown. Found in the Hymnaria of Sarum, and York, also in the Sarum, York, Hereford, and Aberdeen Breviaries. Used at Eton in Latin original at evening service until about 1830.

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Thou who hast led our steps this day,
Blest Saviour of the world, we pray,
Through all the night Thy care extend,
And save us to our journey's end.
Be present with us, Lord, who wait,
And lift our cry at mercy's gate;
Take all our load of sin away,
And change our darkness into day.
Free Thou our minds from careless sleep,
Our souls from sin's allurements keep;
And may our flesh from every stain,
All pure, we pray Thee, still remain.
To Thee of purity the spring,
Our prayers ascend on soaring wing;
Hear Thou our cry, and with the morn
May purity our souls adorn.
Glory be unto God always,
To Christ the Son eternal praise;
Glory to God the Spirit be,
From age to age eternally.