Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.
By Morning HymnLevi Frisbie (17841822)
W
My heart its earliest vows would pay
To Him whose care hath kindly kept
My life from danger while I slept.
How bright the scene with glittering dews!
The blushing flowers more beauteous bloom,
And breathe more rich their sweet perfume.
With kindliest beams my bosom bless,
Warm into life each heavenly seed,
To bud and bear some generous deed.
And gently soften all my will,
So may my morning sacrifice
To heaven a grateful incense rise.
And kindly all I need provide,
With strength divine my bosom arm
Against temptation’s powerful charm.
That God is all around me still,
That all I say, or do, or mean;
By his all-searching eye is seen.
Increase my faith, my hope, my love,
And thus its shades around me close
More wise and holy than I rose.