Tell Me, You Bright Stars That Shine

 TELL ME, YOU BRIGHT STARS THAT SHINE

From Hickes' Devotions

Tell me, you bright Stars that shine

Round about the Lamb's high throne;

How, through bodies once like mine,

How are you thus glorious grown?

Hark! with one voice they reply;

This was all our happy skill;

We on Jesus fixed our eye,

And His eminent followers' still.

As we clearly saw their mind

Set and ruled, we ordered ours:

Both this state alone designed,

Up towards this strained all our powers.

Taught by Temperance we abstained

From all less — for greater goods:

Slighting little drops, we gained

Full, and sweet, and lasting floods.

Arm'd with Fortitude, we bare

Lesser evils, worse to fly:

Mortal death we durst out-dare,

Rather than for ever die.

Justice we observed, by giving

Every one their utmost due:

That in peace and order living,

All might freely heaven pursue.

Prudence governed all the rest;

Prudence made us still apply

What was fittest, what was best,

To advance great Charity.

On these golden wheels of grace,

That Love's fiery chariot bear,

We arrived at this blest place:

Follow us and never fear.