and Phebe Brown's—
I love to steal awhile away;
—have already been noticed. Bishop Doane's gentle and spiritual lines express nearly everything that a worshipping soul would include in a moment of evening thought. The first and last stanzas are the ones most commonly sung.
Softly now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away:
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord I would commune with Thee.
* * * * * *
Soon for me the light of day
Shall forever pass away;