Night

9Farewell, green fields and happy grove,

10Where flocks have ta'en delight.

11Where lambs have nibbled, silent move

12The feet of angels bright;

13 Unseen they pour blessing,

14 And joy without ceasing,

15 On each bud and blossom,

16 And each sleeping bosom.

17They look in every thoughtless nest

18Where birds are covered warm;

19They visit caves of every beast,

20To keep them all from harm:

21 If they see any weeping

22 That should have been sleeping,

23 They pour sleep on their head,

24 And sit down by their bed.

25When wolves and tigers howl for prey,

26They pitying stand and weep;

27Seeking to drive their thirst away,

28And keep them from the sheep.

29 But, if they rush dreadful,

30 The angels, most heedful,

31 Receive each mild spirit,

32 New worlds to inherit.

33And there the lion's ruddy eyes

34Shall flow with tears of gold:

35And pitying the tender cries,

36And walking round the fold:

37 Saying: "Wrath by His meekness,

38 And, by His health, sickness,

39 Are driven away

40 From our immortal day.

41"And now beside thee, bleating lamb,

42I can lie down and sleep,

43Or think on Him who bore thy name,

44Graze after thee, and weep.

45 For, washed in life's river,

46 My bright mane for ever

47 Shall shine like the gold,

48 As I guard o'er the fold."