Empress of Night

A. Beach

Out of the darkness,

Radiant with light,

Shineth her Brightness,

Empress of Night.

As granules of gold,

From her lofty height,

Or cataract bold

(Amazing sight!)

Falleth her jewels

On ev'ry side,

Lighting the joybells,

Of Christmastide.

Piercing the treeboughs

That wave in the breeze,

Painting their shadows

Among dead leaves;

Kissing the sea foam

That flies in the air,

When tossed from its home

In waves so fair;

Silv'ring all clouds

That darken her way,

As she lifts the shrouds,

Of breaking day.