Let the Light Enter

  The Dying Words of Goethe
“Light! more light! the shadows deepen,
  And my life is ebbing low,
Throw the windows widely open:
  Light! more light! before I go.
 
“Softly let the balmy sunshine
    Play around my dying bed,
E’er the dimly lighted valley
  I with lonely feet must tread.
 
“Light! more light! for Death is weaving
  Shadows ‘round my waning sight,
And I fain would gaze upon him
  Through a stream of earthly light.”
 
Not for greater gifts of genius;
  Not for thoughts more grandly bright,
All the dying poet whispers
  Is a prayer for light, more light.
 
Heeds he not the gathered laurels,
  Fading slowly from his sight;
All the poet’s aspirations
  Centre in that prayer for light.
 
Gracious Saviour, when life’s day-dreams
  Melt and vanish from the sight,
May our dim and longing vision
  Then be blessed with light, more light.