Lord, now the time returns

Lord, now the time returns. John Austin* (1613-1669).  First printed in Austin’s Devotions in the Antient Way of Offices (Paris, 1668), in the section ‘The Office of our B. Saviour’, where it is part of ‘Complin for our B. Saviour’. It had eight 4-line stanzas: Lord, now the time returns,  For weary man to rest;  And lay aside those pains and cares  With which our day's opprest: Or rather change our thoughts  To more concerning cares:  How to redeem our mispent time,  With sighs, and tears, and pray'rs: How to provide for heav'n,  That Place of rest and peace;  Where our full joys shall never wain,  Our pleasures never cease.  Blest be thy love, dear Lord, That taught...