STARS
Ah! why, because the dazzling
sun
Restored our Earth to joy,
Have you departed, every
one,
And left a desert sky?
All through the night, your
glorious eyes
Were gazing down in mine,
And, with a full heart's
thankful sighs,
I blessed that watch divine.
I was at peace, and drank
your beams
As they were life to me;
And revelled in my changeful
dreams,
Like petrel on the sea.
Thought followed thought,
star followed star,
Through boundless regions,
on;
While one sweet influence,
near and far,
Thrilled through, and proved
us one!
Why did the morning dawn
to break
So great, so pure, a spell;
And scorch with fire the
tranquil cheek,
Where your cool radiance
fell?
Blood-red, he rose, and,
arrow-straight,
His fierce beams struck
my brow;
The soul of nature sprang,
elate,
But mine sank sad and low!
My lids closed down, yet
through their veil
I saw him, blazing, still,
And steep in gold the misty
dale,
And flash upon the hill.
I turned me to the pillow,
then,
To call back night, and
see
Your worlds of solemn light,
again,
Throb with my heart, and
me!
It would not do--the pillow
glowed,
And glowed both roof and
floor;
And birds sang loudly in
the wood,
And fresh winds shook the
door;
The curtains waved, the wakened
flies
Were murmuring round my
room,
Imprisoned there, till I
should rise,
And give them leave to roam.
Oh, stars, and dreams, and
gentle night;
Oh, night and stars, return!
And hide me from the hostile
light
That does not warm, but
burn;
That drains the blood of
suffering men;
Drinks tears, instead of
dew;
Let me sleep through his
blinding reign,
And only wake with you! |
