Hymn CXCI. Common Metre. Winter

Now winter throws his icy chains Encircling nature round: How bleak, how comfortless the plains, With verdure lately crown'd!

The sun withdraws his vital beams And light and warmth depart; And drooping, lifeless nature seems An emblem of my heart.

My heart, where mental winter reigns, In night's dark mantle clad, Confin'd in cold inactive chains How desolate and sad!

E'er long the sun with genial ray Shall cheer the mourning earth; And blooming flowers and verdure gay Renew their annual birth.

So, if my soul's bright sun impart His all-enliv'ning smile, The vital ray shall cheer my heart, Till then, a frozen soil.

Then faith, and hope, and love, shall rise Renew'd to lively bloom, And breathe accepted to the skies Their humble, sweet perfume.

Great source of light, thy beams display, My drooping joys restore, And guide me to the seats of day Where winter frowns no more.