Part 2 — “ARISE, SHINE, FOR THY LIGHT HAS COME.”
Reading edition
LONG time in sloth, long time in sin, Contented with thy dark estate Hast thou abode, O soul of mine; Now dawns the morning, fair though late, Her sunny tides are sweeping in. Thy light has come; arise and shine! The sheathèd bud which all night long Has folded close its purple up Upon the morning-glory vine; At the first rose-flush, the first song, Unrolls its petals, rears its cup, And, light being come, makes haste to shine. It cannot clasp the whole bright day, Nor the wide-brimming sea of dew Within its curve exact and fine. Of countless beams a single ray, One little freshening sip or two, It takes, and so is glad to shine. Make ready likewise, O my soul! God’s blessed day has dawned; partake! Anoint thy head with oil and wine; From the great sum, the mighty whole, Thy little crumb and portion break, And, giving thanks, arise and shine!
