<P> Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night . </P> <P> Ian Rankin titled his Inspector Rebus novel Set in Darkness after the lines and quoted them in the introduction . In an interview, Rankin linked the quote to the rise of a restored Scottish Parliament and the redemption of the Inspector in the novel . The poem is written from the perspective of an aged astronomer on his deathbed bidding his student to continue his humble research . The lines have been chosen by a number of professional and amateur astronomers as their epitaphs . </P>

Though my soul may set in darkness lyrics