Library › St Ambrose of Milan › Hymns

Hymns

St Ambrose of Milan, tr. Copeland, 1848

Chapter 8

Hymn for Vespers.

Creator of the starry pole,
God of all worlds that o’er us roll,
Who deck’st the day with beauteous light,
In kindly slumber wrap’st the night,

That sleep th’ ungirded limbs once more
May suppler to their toil restore,
Worn heart and weary spirit soothe,
And care-knit brow of sorrow smoothe.

Our praises, now the day is done,
Our prayers and vows, now night draws on,
To Thee, lost sinners’ Help and Stay,
In this our tuneful hymn we pay.

Thee may the heart’s deep music ring,
Thee the full voice in concert sing,
To Thee chaste love’s affection soar,
Thee the unclouded soul adore.

So, when the night, in gloom profound
The short-lived day hath shrouded round,
Bright Faith that darkness ne’er may know,
That night to Faith all-radiant glow.

The soul in constant vigil keep,
Let sin alone within us sleep,
Let Faith, o’ersheltering Angel, shed
Cool balm o’er slumber’s reeking head.

From eye-sight’s wandering glance set free,
Be the heart’s heart entranc’d in Thee,
By terror from unearthly foes
Unstartled from that blest repose.

O Christ, O Sire, and Spirit Most High
Of Sire and Son, dread Trinity,
In Thy One Name’s all-hallowing might
Thy suppliants bless and keep this night.