How girt and ready to ascend; Moving but on a point below, 35 It all about does upward bend. Such did the manna’s sacred dew distil, White and entire, although congealed and chill; Congealed on earth; but does, dissolving, run Into the glories of the almighty Sun. 40 _Andrew Marvell._ CXXX _PEACE._ My soul, there is a country, Afar beyond the stars, Where stands a wingèd sentry, All skilful in the wars. There, above noise and danger, 5 Sweet peace sits crowned with smiles, And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files. He is thy gracious friend, And (O my soul, awake!) 10 Did in pure love descend, To die here for thy sake. If thou canst get but thither, There grows the flower of peace, The rose that cannot wither, 15 Thy fortress, and thy ease. Leave then thy foolish ranges; For none can thee secure, But One who never changes, Thy God, thy Life, thy Cure. 20 _Henry Vaughan._ CXXXI _EVENING HYMN._ The night is come, like to the day; Depart not Thou, great God, away. Let not my sins, black as the night, Eclipse the lustre of thy light. Keep still in my horizon; for to me 5 The sun makes not the day, but Thee. Thou whose nature cannot sleep, On my temples sentry keep! Guard me ’gainst those watchful foes, Whose eyes are open while mine close; 10 Let no dreams my head infest, But such as Jacob’s temples blest. While I do rest, my soul advance; Make me to sleep a holy trance. That I may, my rest being wrought, 15 Awake into some holy thought; And with as active vigour run My course as doth the nimble sun. Sleep is a death; oh! make me try, By sleeping, what it is to die: 20 And as gently lay my head On my grave, as now my bed. Howe’er I rest, great God, let me Awake again at last with Thee. And thus assured, behold I lie 25 Securely, or to wake or die. These are my drowsy days; in vain I do now wake to sleep again: Oh! come that hour, when I shall never Sleep again, but wake for ever. 30 _Sir Thomas Browne._ CXXXII _THE VALEDICTION._