Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love Fit us for perfect rest above; And help us this, and every day, To live more nearly as we pray. The evening hymn is also taken from a longer poem, in which the author first describes in graphic words the setting of the sun: 'Tis gone! that bright and orbed blaze, Fast fading from our wistful gaze; Yon mantling cloud has hid from sight The last faint pulse of quivering light. In darkness and in weariness The traveler on his way must press, No gleam to watch on tree or tower, Whiling away the lonesome hour. Then comes the beautiful and reassuring thought: Sun of my soul! Thou Saviour dear, It is not night if Thou be near! O may no earthborn cloud arise To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes. The peculiar tenderness in Keble's poetry is beautifully illustrated in the second stanza: When the soft dews of kindly sleep My wearied eyelids gently steep, Be my last thought, how sweet to rest Forever on my Saviour's breast. Other familiar hymns by Keble are "The Voice that breathed o'er Eden," "Blest are the pure in heart," and "When God of old came down from heaven." The Hymn of a Perplexed Soul Lead, kindly light, amid th' encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou Shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years! So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile, Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. John Henry Newman, 1833. A FAMOUS HYMN BY A PROSELYTE OF ROME When the children of Israel were about to resume the march from Mount Sinai and Moses had received the command to lead the people into the unknown wilderness, we are told in Exodus that Moses hesitated. "See," said the great leader, "Thou sayest unto me, 'Bring up this people': and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me." And God answered, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." It was this sublime thought of the guiding presence of God that gave to John Henry Newman the inspiration for "Lead, kindly Light."