Before the Daybreak

Before the daybreak shines a star

That in the day's great glory fades;

Too fiercely bright is the full light

That her pale-gleaming lamp upbraids.

Before the daybreak sings a bird

That stills her song ere morning light:

Too loud for her is the day's stir,

The woodland's thousand-tongued delight.

Ah! great the honor is, to shine

A light wherein no traveller errs;

And rich the prize to rank divine

Among the world's loud choristers.

But I would be that paler star,

And I would be that lonelier bird,

To shine with hope, while hope's afar,

And sing of love, when love's unheard.