Forth in the Dawn-Light

Forth in the dawn-light

Cool and sweet and ten­der

While yet the dew-drops trem­ble on the flow­ers

Seeking for la­b’rers

One doth meek­ly wan­der

Calling

still call­ing thro’ the qui­et hours.

Go

work to­day

the flush of ear­ly morn­ing

Brightens the east

and day is com­ing on;

Go in the fresh­ness of the day’s ad­orn­ing

Sure shall your hire be at the set of sun!

Forth while the sun rides

Higher still in heav­en

Forth while the noon-tide’s fer­vid ra­di­ance glows

Forth while the sha­dows length­en t’ward the ev­en

Calling for la­b’rers

still the Mas­ter goes;

Go

work to­day! oh

where­fore yet de­lay­ing

Stand ye still idle as the hours glide on?

Go

for the morn­ing waits not for your stay­ing

Sure shall your hire be at the set of sun!

Lord

we have heard Thee

In our youth’s glad morn­ing;

Lord

we still hear Thee in our noon­day prime

Hear Thee

and glad­ly

ease and pleasure scorn­ing

Gird us for serv­ice

low­ly yet sub­lime;

Take us

our­selves to Thee we now sur­ren­der

Take us

and use us till the day is done

Gather us then in Thy em­brac­es ten­der

Such let our hire be at the set of sun!