O! 'Tis no theme of common things

That wakes my ivory-fastened strings!

To Thee, in solemn Dorian¹⁹¹⁹He uses the epithet Dorian in a general sense, to express that which is grave and sublime. strain,

I lift my heart and voice amain,

O blessèd, O Immortal One,

The holy Virgin's glorious Son!

But, O great King, save Thou my life

From cares and woes and worldly strife,

That from calamity all free

10Both night and day I may praise Thee.

And to my mind mayst Thou convey

From mind's own fount, a clear bright ray.

Unto my youth mayst Thou impart

Soundness of limbs and manly heart:

And may my deeds reflect Thy light

In honour, truth, and glory bright.

And on the ripeness of mine age

Mayst Thou the wisdom of the sage

Bestow, with health, the blessed mead

20Of harvest rich from well-sown seed.

And on that darling son of mine

May Thy preserving mercy shine,

Whom, when just passing gate of death,

Thou didst restore to vital breath.

O Lord of life, 'twas Thou didst wrench

From Death's firm grasp, his prey, and quench

My burning grief in floods of joy;

For Thou didst give me back my boy;

And tears, O Father, Thou didst dry,

30In answer to Thy suppliant's cry!

May son and daughter, much loved pair,

Thy kind protection ever share,

And all my house, in happy calm,

Be sheltered by Thine hand from harm!

And, O my Saviour King, bless Thou

The partner of my wedded vow;

From sickness and from sorrow free,

Faithful, one-minded, may she be,

Preserved by Thee from thought of sin,

40All bright without, all pure within!

Untouched by roving passions' tide,

My honoured wife, my love, my pride!

Loose Thou my soul from baneful chains

Of worldly life, its cares and pains,

And floods of dismal grief and woe,

Which overwhelm this earth below.

O! thus prepared may I be found

With holy worshippers around

To lead the choir, and chants to raise

50To Thy all-glorious Father's praise;

And to Thy majesty, great King,

Loud hymns again I hope to sing;

Again in voice of praise Thy name

To bless, Thy honours to proclaim;

May be, my harp I shall again

Tune all-unhurt to highest strain.