The Roseate Hues of Early Dawn

Verse 1

The roseate hues of early dawn,
The brightness of the day,
The crimson of the sunset sky,
How fast they fade away:
O for the pearly gates of heaven!
O for the golden floor!
O for the Sun of Righteousness
That setteth never more!

Verse 2

The highest hopes we cherish here,
How fast they tire and faint;
How many a spot defiles the robe
That wraps an earthly saint:
O for a heart that never sins,
O for a soul washed white,
O for a voice to praise our King,
Nor weary day or night!

Verse 3

Here faith is ours, and heavenly hope,
And grace to lead us higher;
But there are perfectness and peace,
Beyond our best desire:
O by Thy love and anguish, Lord,
O by Thy life laid down,
O that we fall not from Thy grace,
Nor cast away our crown!