When darkness falls and night is here,
My hymns of praise in silence rise—
This knows the moon, whose silver sphere
Shines in the star-bespangled skies.
When morning breaks, and glorious day
Shines in the dawn and noontide fair—
This knows the sun—a grateful lay
Springs from my heart in fervent prayer.
When fails the light at sunset gray,
And twilight listens for my song—
This know the stars—in bright array
My praises mingle with their throng.
Author: Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais
Translator: John Brownlie