143. C. H. M. Anonymous.

The surpassing Glory of God.

1Since o'er thy footstool here below

Such radiant gems are strown,

O what magnificence must glow,

Great God, about thy throne!

So brilliant here these drops of light--

There the full ocean rolls--how bright!

2If night's blue curtain of the sky--

With thousand stars inwrought,

Hung like a royal canopy

With glittering diamonds fraught--

Be, Lord, thy temple's outer veil,

What splendor at the shrine must dwell!

3The dazzling sun, at noon-day hour--

Forth from his flaming vase

Flinging o'er earth the golden shower

Till vale and mountain blaze--

But shows, O Lord, one beam of thine:

What, then, the day where thou dost shine?

4O how shall these dim eyes endure

That noon of living rays!

Or how our spirits so impure,

Upon thy glory gaze!--

Anoint, O Lord, anoint our sight,

And fit us for that world of light.