When Jesus, by the Virgin brought,
So runs the law of Heaven,
Was offer'd holy to the Lord,
And at the altar given;
Simeon the Just and the Devout,
Who, frequent in the fane,
Had for the Saviour waited long,
But waited still in vain.
Come, Heaven, directed, at the hour
When Mary held her Son;
He stretched forth his aged arms,
While tears of gladness run.
With holy joy upon his face
The good old father smiled,
While fondly in his wither'd arms
He clasped the promised Child.
And then he lifted up to Heaven
An earnest asking eye;
My joy is full, my hour is come,
Lord, let thy servant die.
At last my arms embrace my Lord,
Now let their vigour cease;
At last my eyes my Saviour see,
Now let them close in peace!
The star and glory of the land
Hath now begun to shine;
The morning that shall gild the globe
Breaks on these eyes of mine!
