Thomas Ken
1637-1711 17th century
A day bounded by two prayers, and the polite refusal that costs a man his office.
Who was Thomas Ken?
An orphan raised by his half-sister and her husband, he became chaplain to Charles II and flatly refused to lodge the king's mistress in his house; the king, amused, made him a bishop. He later opposed James II, was shut in the Tower, then lost his see for refusing an oath he thought false. For the schoolboys of Winchester he wrote three hymns (for morning, evening and midnight), asking them to sing them in their rooms.
In their own words
Awake, my soul, and with the sun thy daily stage of duty run; shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise to pay thy morning sacrifice.
Glory to thee, my God, this night, for all the blessings of the light; keep me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath thine own almighty wings.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.