HYMN TO THE NIGHT I HEARD the trailing garments of the Night I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light I felt her presence, by its spell of might, The calm, majestic presence of the Night, I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight, That fill the haunted chambers of the Night, From the cool cisterns of the midnight air My spirit drank repose; 8 12 The fountain of perpetual peace flows there,— From those deep cisterns flows. O holy Night! from thee I learn to bear Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care, 16 20 To the Evening Star Peace! Peace! prayer! Orestes-like I breathe this Descend with broad-winged flight, The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most STAR that bringest home the bee, Appearing when Heaven's breath and brow Are sweet as hers we love. Come to the luxuriant skies, Whilst the landscape's odours rise, From cottages whose smoke unstirr'd Star of love's soft interviews, 6 12 18 Thomas Campbell. THE LIGHT OF STARS THE night is come, but not too soon; All silently, the little moon Drops down behind the sky. There is no light in earth or heaven And the first watch of night is given Is it the tender star of love? The star of love and dreams? Oh no! from that blue tent above A hero's armor gleams. And earnest thoughts within me rise, When I behold afar, Suspended in the evening skies, The shield of that red star. O star of strength! I see thee stand 12 16 Thou beckonest with thy mailed hand, 20 8 1839. Daybreak Within my breast there is no light I give the first watch of the night The star of the unconquered will, And thou, too, whosoe'er thou art, Oh, fear not in a world like this, 24 28 32 36 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. DAYBREAK A WIND came up out of the sea, And said, "O mists, make room for me !" It hailed the ships, and cried, "Sail on, And hurried landward far away, It said unto the forest, "Shout! It touched the wood-bird's folded wing, And o'er the farms, "O chanticleer, It whispered to the fields of corn, "Bow down, and hail the coming morn!" It shouted through the belfry-tower, 'Awake, O bell! proclaim the hour." It crossed the churchyard with a sigh, 1857. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. THE EVENING WIND SPIRIT that breathest through my lattice, thou That cool'st the twilight of the sultry day! Gratefully flows thy freshness round my brow; Thou hast been out upon the deep at play, Riding all day the wild blue waves till now, Roughening their crests, and scattering high their spray, And swelling the white sail. I welcome thee To the scorched land, thou wanderer of the sea!8 |