Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SUNDAY NIGHT, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL Poet's Biography First Line: Rest him, o father! Thou didst send him forth Last Line: With soothing power his listening, resting soul. Subject(s): Prayer; Sabbath; Sunday | ||||||||
REST him, O Father! Thou didst send him forth With great and gracious messages of love; But Thy ambassador is weary now, Worn with the weight of his high embassy. Now care for him as Thou hast cared for us In sending him; and cause him to lie down In Thy fresh pastures, by Thy streams of peace. Let Thy left hand be now beneath his head, And Thine upholding right encircle him, And, underneath, the Everlasting arms Be felt in full support. So let him rest, Hushed like a little child, without one care; And so give Thy beloved sleep to-night. Rest him, dear Master! He hath poured for us The wine of joy, and we have been refreshed. Now fill his chalice, give him sweet new draughts Of life and love, with Thine own hand; be Thou His ministrant to-night; draw very near In all Thy tenderness and all Thy power. Oh, speak to him! Thou knowest how to speak A word in season to Thy weary ones, And he is weary now. Thou lovest him -- Let Thy disciple lean upon Thy breast, And, leaning, gain new strength to "rise and shine." Rest him, O loving Spirit! Let Thy calm Fall on his soul to-night. O holy Dove, Spread Thy bright wing above him, let him rest Beneath its shadow; let him know afresh The infinite truth and might of Thy dear name -- "Our Comforter!" As gentlest touch will stay The strong vibrations of a jarring chord, So lay Thy hand upon his heart, and still Each over-straining throb, each pulsing pain. Then, in the stillness, breathe upon the strings, And let Thy holy music overflow With soothing power his listening, resting soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DAT GAL O' MINE by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SUNDAY: NEW GUINEA by KARL SHAPIRO SABBATHS: 2001 by WENDELL BERRY SUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAY by PAUL BLACKBURN THE SABBATH OF THE SOUL by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD CONSECRATION HYMN by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL I DID THIS FOR THEE! WHAT HAST THOU DONE FOR ME? by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL A BIRTHDAY GREETING TO MY FATHER, 1860 by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL |
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