The Daily Herald

A HYMN TO THE SETTING SUN.

I.

"Slow, slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
Thy course of beneficence done;
As glorious go down to thy Thetis' warm breast,
As when thy bright race was begun.
For all thou hast done
Since thy rising, oh sun!
May thou and thy Maker be bles'd!
Thou hast scatter'd the night from thy broad golden way,
Thou hast given us thy light through a long happy day,
Thou hast roused up the birds, thou hast waken'd the flowers,
To chant on thy path, and to perfume the hours——
Then slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
And rise again beautiful, blessing, and bless'd!"

II.

"Slow, slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
Yet pause but a moment to shed
One warm look of love on the earth's dewy breast,
Ere the star'd curtain fall round thy bed.
And to promise the time,
When, awaking sublime,
Thou shalt rush all refresh'd from thy rest.
Warm hopes drop like dews from thy life-giving hand,
Teaching hearts closed in darkness like flowers to expand;
Dreams wake into joys when first touched by thy light,
As glow the dim waves of the sea at thy sight—
Then slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
And rise again beautiful, blessing, and bless'd!"

III.

"Slow, slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
Prolonging the sweet evening hour;
Then robe again soon in the morn's golden vest,
To go forth in thy beauty and power.
Yet pause on thy way,
To the full height of day,
For thy rising and setting are bless'd!
When thou com'st after darkness to gladden our eyes,
Or departest in glory, in glory to rise,
May hope and may prayer still be woke by thy rays,
And thy going be mark'd by thanksgiving and praise!
Then slow, mighty wanderer, sink to thy rest,
And rise again beautiful, blessing, and bless'd."