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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CHILD'S EVENING HYMN by FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE

Poet Analysis

First Line: O LORD, WHO, WHEN THY CROSS WAS NIGH
Last Line: NURSED IN THINE EVERLASTING ARMS.
Subject(s): PRAYER;

O Lord, Who, when Thy cross was nigh,
Didst wake and pray as night went by,
Thy gentle sleep like dew once more
Upon my head I pray Thee pour.

One little heap of days for me
Is measured out by God's decree;
And one day from that little heap
Is gone as I lie down to sleep.

And I know not how soon the tale
Of my few days and short may fail;--
O God, whene'er!--for Thy dear Son,
Me, even me, have mercy on!

O strange, that as I kneel and pray,
He from His throne hears all I say!
--Give me but what for me is best:--
This is enough: Thou know'st the rest.

O sleepless Shepherd of the sheep,
Now fold me in, and bid me sleep:
From evil safe, and night's alarms,
Nursed in Thine everlasting arms.



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