Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.

Where glowing embers through the roomTeach light to counterfeit a gloom...

Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven firstborn! Or of th' eternal co-eternal beam, May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, Bright effluence of bright essence increate!

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace, flamed; yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible Serv'd only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all; but torture without end.

Hail holy light, offspring of heav'n firstborn!

There swift return Diurnal, merely to officiate light Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot.

This horror will grow mild, this darkness light; Besides what hope the never-ending flight Of future days may bring, what chance, what change Worth waiting--since our present lot appears For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, If we procure not to ourselves more woe.

The sacred influence of light appears.

He that hath light within their own breast, may sit in the centre and enjoy bright day.