Henry Vaughan

Short Name: Henry Vaughan
Full Name: Vaughan, Henry, 1621-1695
Birth Year: 1621
Death Year: 1695

Vaughan, Henry, M.D., commonly called "The Silurist," was one of twin brothers born of a titled family at Newton, Llansaintffiad, in 1621. After studying under the Rev. Matthew Herbert, Rector of Llangattock, he proceeded to Jesus College, Oxford, in 1638; but through the national troubles of those days, his studies, in common with those of his brother, were interrupted, and they had to leave the University. Subsequently he entered the medical profession, and practised at Brecon and at Newton. He died April 23, 1695. His published works include, Poems with the Tenth Satire of Juvenal Englished, 1646; Olor Iscanus, 1651; The Mount of Olives, 1652, &c. As a religious poet he followed very closely the peculiarities of George Herbert, of whose writings he was a great admirer. His best and most devotional poems were written during a severe affliction, and were published in his Silex Scintillans. After being almost forgotten for more than 200 years, his quaint, thoughtful, devotional, and, in many instances, beautiful poems, are receiving attention at the hands of hymnal compilers and others.
From the Silex Scintillans several pieces have been taken as hymns for public worship. The following, all from the first edition of 1650, are in common use:—
1. As travellers when the twilight's come. Life a Pilgrimage.
2. Bright shadows of true rest! some shoots of bliss. Sundays. Sometimes as "Types of eternal rest, fair buds of bliss."
3. Joy of my life, while left me here. Guiding Stars.
4. King of mercy, King of love. God our King.
5. Lord, with what courage and delight. Cheerfulness.
6. My. God and King, to Thee I bow my knee. Lent.
7. Since in a land not barren still. Love and Discipline.
8. Up to those bright and gladsome hills. Ps. cxxi.
9. What needs a conscience, clear and bright? Conscience.
10. When one loud blast shall rend the deep. Advent. Judgment.
11. Zion's true glorious God! on Thee. Praise.
Of Vaughan's hymns the most widely used are:— "Bright Queen of heaven," "My soul, there is a countrie," and "Up to these bright and gladsome hills."

--Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Vaughan, H., p. 1206, i. Nos. 6, 9, 11, are from the 2nd ed., 1655 of his Silex Scintillans, pt. ii., pp. 60, 40, 68. No. 10 is from "When through the North," &c, in the 1st ed. 1650, p. 13.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)


Texts by Henry Vaughan (42)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
Ah, my dear Lord! what couldst thou spyHenry Vaughan, 1622-95 (Author)1
Ah what time wilt Thou come? when shall that cryHenry Vaughan (Author)English3
As travelers, when the twilight's comeHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
Bright Queen of heaven! God's virgin spouseHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Bright queen of saintsHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Bright shadows of true restHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Come, drop your branches, strow the wayHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Dear, beauteous death thy jewel of the justHenry Vaughan (Author)1
Dear Jesus, give me patience hereHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Dear, secret greenness, nurst [nursed] belowHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Death and darkness, get you packingHenry Vaughan, 1622-95 (Author)4
Farewell, I go to sleepHenry Vaughan (Author)2
He is alone my help and hopeHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Jesus, my life, how shall I truly love theeHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Joy of my life, while left me hereHenry Vaughan (Author)2
King of comforts, King of lifeHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
King of mercy, King of loveHenry Vaughan, 1622-1695 (Author)English5
Lord Jesus with what sweetness and delightHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Lord, when thou didst thyself undressHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Lord, with what courage and delightHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
My God and King, to theeHenry Vaughan (Author)2
My God, how gracious art thou, I had slippedHenry Vaughan (Author)2
My soul, there is a countryHenry Vaughan (1622-1695) (Author)English32
O come awayHenry Vaughan (Author)2
O joys, infinite sweetness, with what flowersHenry Vaughan (Author)2
O thou who didst deny to meHenry Vaughan, 1622-1695 (Author)English2
Peace, peace: it is not so. Thou dost miscallHenry Vaughan, 1621-1695 (Author)2
Still young and fine! but what is still in viewHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
The pilgrims throng through the city gatesHenry Vaughan (Author)English4
The winds of God have changed their noteHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Then give Thy saintsHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
They are all gone into the world of lightHenry Vaughan (Author)English7
Thou, whose sad heart and weeping headHenry Vaughan (Author)3
Type [types] of eternal rest, fair bud [buds] of blissHenry Vaughan (Author)2
Until thou didst comfort meHenry Vaughan (Author)1
Up to those bright and gladsome hillsHenry Vaughan (Author)English12
Weighing the steadfastness and stateHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
Welcome, dear book, soul's joy and foodVaughan (Author)2
Welcome, white day, a thousand sunsHenry Vaughan (Author)2
What needs a conscience, clear and brightHenry Vaughan (Author)2
When first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leaveHenry Vaughan (Author)English2
Zion's true, glorious God, on TheeHenry Vaughan (Author)2

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