2 When, starting from the shades of night,
Obedient, Lord, to thy behest,
The sun arrayed his limbs in light
And earth her virgin beauty drest;
3 Thy praise transported nature sung
In pealing chorus loud and far;
The echoing vault with rapture rung,
And shouted every morning star.
4 When bending from his native sky,
The Lord of life in mercy came,