Night

Wherefore should darkness terrify my soul?

Night is the hope of day, the scabbard deep,

Wherein the sword of sunlight fair would creep

After the warring shouts that round us roll.

Dawn hath its glamour like pearls upon a shoal;

Noon hath its wonder when it climbs the steep

Blue hills of light; and yet we fall asleep,

Afraid, sometimes with tears beyond control.

O let the shadows fold us in their wings,

And when one long unstarlit night shall come,

Let us not go like poor sheep, driv'n and dumb,

But with a spirit that exultant sings;

For where the darkness trails the desolate sod,

He walks before. Night is the shadow of God.