21.04.2012, 19:30
Oxford
Thou gav'st us learning, lit with many an hour
Of mirth and wine, when tongues were brisk and gay,
Till on us stole the ancient proctor, Day.
Thou gav'st us joy in many a quiet bower
Where Cherwell slumbers 'neath the may aflower,
Thou gav'st us beauty, when the night was fey
With wonder, and the wizard moonlight lay
Soft on the ivy of the ensorcelled tower.
And now from sea to sea and pole to pole
We work Her hest for whom thou hast in fee
The lives of all thy children: and in all
We do of worth there shines some gleam of thee,
Throughout their blackest night our eyes recall
The morning grace that lit thy lovely soul.
Thou gav'st us learning, lit with many an hour
Of mirth and wine, when tongues were brisk and gay,
Till on us stole the ancient proctor, Day.
Thou gav'st us joy in many a quiet bower
Where Cherwell slumbers 'neath the may aflower,
Thou gav'st us beauty, when the night was fey
With wonder, and the wizard moonlight lay
Soft on the ivy of the ensorcelled tower.
And now from sea to sea and pole to pole
We work Her hest for whom thou hast in fee
The lives of all thy children: and in all
We do of worth there shines some gleam of thee,
Throughout their blackest night our eyes recall
The morning grace that lit thy lovely soul.