A Silent Te Deum

We thank Thee, Lord,     For all Thy Golden Silences,--     For every Sabbath from the world's turmoil;     For every respite from the stress of life;--     Silence of moorlands rolling to the skies,     Heath-purpled, bracken-clad, aflame with gorse;     Silence of grey tors crouching in the mist;     Silence of deep woods' mystic cloistered calm;     Silence of wide seas basking in the sun;     Silence of white peaks soaring to the blue;     Silence of dawnings, when, their matins sung,     The little birds do fall asleep again;     For the deep silence of high golden noons;     Silence of gloamings and the setting sun;     Silence of moonlit nights and patterned glades;     Silence of stars, magnificently still,     Yet ever chanting their Creator's skill;     For that high silence of Thine Open House,     Dim-branching roof and lofty-pillared aisle,     Where burdened hearts find rest in Thee awhile;     Silence of friendship, telling more than words;     Silence of hearts, close-knitting heart to heart     Silence of joys too wonderful for words;     Silence of sorrows, when Thou drawest near;     Silence of soul, wherein we come to Thee,     And find ourselves in Thine Immensity;     For that great silence where Thou dwell'st alone--     --Father, Spirit, Son, in One,     Keeping watch above Thine Own,--     Deep unto deep, within us sound sweet chords     Of praise beyond the reach of human words;     In our souls' silence, feeling only Thee,--                     We thank Thee, thank Thee,                             Thank Thee, Lord!