Behold the sun, how bright

From yonder east he springs,

As if the soul of life and light

Were breathing from his wings.

So bright the gospel broke

Upon the souls of men;

So fresh the dreaming world awoke

In truth’s full radiance then.

Before yon sun arose,

Stars clustered through the sky;

But, O, how dim, how pale, were those,

To his one burning eye!

So truth lent many a ray,

To bless the Pagan’s night;

But, Lord, how faint, how cold, were they,

To Thy one glorious light!