THE FOURTH DAY.

AT MIDNIGHT.

The day is Thine, and the night is Thine. Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.-PSALM lxxiv.

"Miramur, O Deus, tuæ."

O GOD, we behold how Thy wondrous might
Hath hung with new works the vast infinite,
How, writ by Thy hand, 'mid the glimmering stars,
It shineth from far in strange characters.

The sun builds the day for his chamber bright,
The white moon sits on the throne of night,
While the stars all around like her army appear,
And through the blue dark marshal here and there.

The sun, though he walks the broad heav'ns alone,
Knows his rising well and his going down;
The moon and her host they come and they go,
And silent and still to Thine ordering bow.

On the noiseless wheel of a whirlwind borne,
They carry away and they bring the morn ;
These changes amid that around Thee dwell,
Thou art alone the Unchangeable.

Then why should the soul like a wave be driven,
If her anchor rests on the depth of Heaven?
If she make Thee here her healing and health,
She shall have in Thee her eternal wealth.

Great God, at whose will o'er the silent heart
The sunshine or shade do come or depart,
All glory to Thee: in Thee we repose,
And leave on Thy breast our sadness and woes.

AT THE MATTINS.

In the way of Thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name and to the remembrance of Thee; with my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early.-Is. xxvi.

"Promittis, et servas datam."

THY promise, Lord, is our sure stay,

Thy faith immoveable,

To Thee we turn at dawning day,

To Thee our wants we tell.

Man's promise in the hour of need
Frail as himself is found,

Which fails, and like the broken reed,
The leaning hand doth wound.

Blessed is he who in Thy breast

Himself doth wholly hide,

No whirlwind's power shall break their rest Who in that Rock abide.

Lest our hearts fail, Thy hand shall hold

With sacramental ties;

Hope on the mighty pledge made bold
To endless good shall rise-

Springs to Thy throne on mercy's gleam,

And casts aside her care,

And drinks of the celestial stream

Which flows for ever there.

Of grace,

adored Trinity,

The everlasting spring,

Sole hope of safety, unto Thee

With our whole heart we cling.

D

AT THE VESPERS.

"The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.-ROM. XV.

"Horres superbos, nec tuam."

THOU dost, Lord, abhor the proud;

To the arrogant and loud

Thou hast ne'er the praise allow'd
Which is Thine alone.

Thankless souls that will not pray
Turn Thy gracious stream away,
And like wither'd grass decay
'Neath the scorching noon.

As the servant's earnest gaze
Keeps his master's hand and ways,
So our eyes we ever raise

To Thy Sion's throne.

And shouldst Thou the gift withhold,
Yet to Thee the full heart told,
Hope shall on her anchor hold,

And await the boon.

Glory be to God on high,

To the Son who came to die, To the Spirit ever nigh, Sealing us His own.