 | The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq |  |
36
A MORNING HYMN.
I.
Arise! and see the glorious sunMount in the eastern sky:
See with what majesty he comes,
What splendor striks the eye!
II.
Life, light, and heat he spreads abroadIn ever bounteous streams;
This day shall joyful myriads own
The influence of his beams.
III.
How fresh the healthful morning air!What fragrance breaths around!
New lustre paints each op'ning flow'r
New verdure cloaths the ground.
III.
No ruffling storms of wind or rainDisturb the calm serene:
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Displays her softest scene.
V.
Thro' chequer'd groves and o'er the plainsRefreshing breezes pass,
And play with ev'ry wanton leaf,
And wave the slender grass.
VI.
See yonder silver gliding stream;The sun's reflected ray,
Doth in its wat'ry bosom sport,
And on its surface play.
VII.
The trees that shade its flow'ry banks,Are nourish'd by the flood;
Whilst from their branches songsters sweet,
Re-echo thro' the wood.
VIII.
They with their little warbling throats,Salute the rising day;
And in untaught, but pleasing strains
Their grateful homage pay.
IX.
Oh! let us then with souls sincereAdore that pow'r Divine!
Who makes that orb move thus complete,
Who makes his rays to shine.
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X.
Who causes ev'ry rising dayIn beauty to return;
And bids the sun's meridian height
With brighter glories burn.
XI.
Who morning, noon, and evening too,Has with his blessing blest;
And kindly gives the night's still shades
For wearied man to rest.
| The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq | |