Stars of Night

The shades have come, they rest on wood and field,The day is gone, and vanished is the light;The purple skies a faint, soft splendor yield,Illumined by the glowing stars of night.

In the dim gray of evening it is sweetTo wander o'er the fields, with dew-drops bright,Lingering along where leap the brook's lithe feet,Gazing upon the glorious stars of night.

Come, Night! I love thy quiet, hallowed still!There is no gloom in thy dark wings to me;Grandeur and awe, my soul can drink its fillOf thy majestic, vast sublimity.

Roll on, fair stars, in beauty grand, sublime,Your matchless forms half hid from mortal sight!Singing fore'er those unheard, heavenly chimesWhich reach to God! ye glorious stars of night.