By the soft rising light. How mild and sweet
It shone! how full of holy tenderness!
How like some hovering Angel did it greet
My heart until I almost kneeled to bless!
It brightened more and more, but less and less
It melted, leading further still my gaze
Into the heavens; with lovelier, lovelier dress
It shrunk, until it vanished in a blaze.
Thus sorrow, kindled by Religion’s light;
Turns to a tender joy, pointing toward heaven our sight.