| Let who will in thee rejoice, O thou fair and wondrous earth! Ever anguished sorrow's voice Pierces through thy seeming mirth; Let thy vain delights be given Unto them who love not Heaven, My desire is fixed on Thee, Jesus, dearest far to me! | | Weary souls with toil outworn, Drooping 'neath the glaring light, Wish that soon the coming morn Might be quenched again in night, That their toils might find a close In a soft and deep repose; I but wish to rest in Thee, Jesus, dearest far to me! | | 190 Others dare the treacherous wave, Hidden rock and shifting wind-- Storm and danger let them brave, Earthly good or wealth to find; Faith shall wing my upward flight Far above yon starry height, Till I find myself with Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend to me! | | Many a time ere now I said, Many a time again shall say, Would to God that I were dead, Would that in my grave I lay! Rest were mine, and sweet my lot Where the body hindereth not, And the soul can ever be, Jesus, dearest Lord, with Thee! | | Come, O Death, thou twin of Sleep, Lead me hence,--I pray thee come, Loose my rudder, through the deep Guide my vessel safely home. Thy approach who will may fly, 'Twere a joy to me to die, Death but opes the gates to Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend to me! | | Would that I today might leave This my earthly prison here, And my crown of joy receive Waiting me in yon bright sphere! In that home of joy, where dwell Hosts of angels, would I tell How the Godhead shines in Thee, Jesus, dearest Lord to me! | | 191 But not yet the gates of gold I may see nor enter in, Nor the heavenly fields behold, But must sit and mourning spin Life's dark thread on earth below; Let my thoughts then hourly go Whither I myself would be, Jesus, dearest Lord, with Thee! | |