Stars

5All through the night, your glorious eyes

6Were gazing down in mine,

7And, with a full heart's thankful sighs,

8I blessed that watch divine.

9I was at peace, and drank your beams

10As they were life to me;

11And revelled in my changeful dreams,

12Like petrel on the sea.

13Thought followed thought, star followed star

14Through boundless regions on;

15While one sweet influence, near and far,

16Thrilled through, and proved us one!

17Why did the morning dawn to break

18So great, so pure a spell;

19And scorch with fire the tranquil cheek,

20Where your cool radiance fell?

21Blood-red, he rose, and arrow-straight,

22His fierce beams struck my brow;

23The soul of nature sprang, elate,

24But mine sank sad and low.

25My lids closed down, yet through their veil

26I saw him, blazinig, still,

27And steep in gold the misty dale,

28And flash upon the hill.

29I turned me to the pillow, then,

30To call back night, and see

31Your words of solemn light, again,

32Throb with my heart, and me!

33It would not do - the pillow glowed,

34And glowed both roof and floor;

35And birds sang loudly in the wood,

36And fresh winds shook the door;

37The curtains waved, the wakened flies

38Were murmuring round my room,

39Imprisoned there, till I should rise,

40And give them leave to roam.

41O stars, and dreams, and gentle night;

42O night and stars, return!

43And hide me from the hostile light

44That does not warm, but burn;

45That drains the blood of suffering men;

46Drinks tears, instead of dew;

47Let me sleep through his blinding reign,

48And only wake with you!