SEEST thou you evening star, intensely bright
It gazes on the sun, like him it burns,
That dazzling crescent, and from him its light;
A dull dark segment to the earth it turns.
And hence my soul a heavenly truth discerns,
A spiritual import, in you gem of night.
Share it with me; for wise is he who learns
Wisdom to those who read aright. Even so,
Seek thou the source of spiritual day,
Thou, formed to aid in shedding light below,
Seek it from Him, Sun of diviner ray,
2.
How dark, how stern, the mountain-range of late,
And now how splendid! `tis the sun shines there,
On the cold mass of earthquake-riven slate;
I hail thy presence, glorious king of air.
Man's heart is even as they, until arise
The Sun of righteousness, who o'er dark skies
Shall pour his regal glories, clouds far driven,—
When Christ the Lord shines on the raptured soul,
All brightens, as you purple mountains gleam,
While wreathing off the ebbing storm-waves roll;
O Sun, thou giv'st a double joy to me,
For what thou art, and what thou say'st shall be!