Thomas Parnell (1679–1718)

THE BEAM-REPELLING mists arise,

And evening spreads obscurer skies:

The twilight will the night forerun,

And night itself be soon begun.

Upon thy knees devoutly bow,

And pray the Lord of glory now

To fill thy breast, or deadly sin

May cause a blinder night within.

And whether pleasing vapours rise,

Which gently dim the closing eyes,

Which makes the weary members blest

With sweet refreshment in their rest,

Or whether spirits in the brain

Dispel their soft embrace again.

And on my watchful bed I stay,

Forsook by sleep, and waiting day;

Be God forever in my view,

And never he forsake me too;

But still as day concludes in night,

To break again with new-born light,

His wondrous bounty let me find

With still a more enlightened mind.

When grace and love in one agree,

Grace from God, and love from me,

Grace that will from Heaven inspire,

Love that seals it in desire,

Grace and love that mingle beams,

And fill me with increasing flames.

Thou that hast thy palace far

Above the moon and every star,

Thou that sittest on a throne

To which the night was never known,

Regard my voice, and make me blest

By kindly granting its request.

If thoughts on thee my soul employ,

My darkness will afford me joy,

Till thou shalt call and I shall soar,

And part with darkness evermore.