Chapter XLVI

Sleep not, O Thought, my Guest—the livelong Night!
I bring thee Friendship's best—the livelong Night!
Thou, like an Angel's Breath, from Heaven hast come,
To heal me while I rest—the livelong Night!
Banish dull Slumber, let Heaven's Mystery sing,
From out his secret Nest—the livelong Night!
Shine clear, ye circling Stars, that in your Rays,
The Soul its Vision test—the livelong Night!
Ye Diamonds, sparkling in your dark Retreats,
Rival the starry West—the livelong Night!
Soar up, O Eagle, Sunwards—higher, higher!
Be still thy Flight up pressed—the livelong Night!
Thank God, the World now sleeps; alone are God
And I, all God-possess'd—the livelong Night!
The Night is calm and deep, and Heaven's own Lyre,
Sounds soft, as Star-caress'd—the livelong Night!
War's Turmoil whirling through the starry Streets,
New spheral Choirs attest—the livelong Night!
With Lion, Bull, and Ram, all warlike gleam
Orion's Sword and Crest—the livelong Night!
Scorpion and Dragon seize the Crown, while weeps
The Virgin sore opprest—the livelong Night!
My Tongue sinks dumb with rapture, drunk with Love;
Now, Thought, brood, silent, blest—the livelong Night!

Up out of Night