Star fancies

Are the stars that beam above us,

When the sunset fades from Heav'n,

Shining flocks by Night, the Shepherd,

Through the fields of azure driv'n?

Are they hosts of silver lilies,

From their crystal-chaliced flow'rs

Wafting streams of blest oblivion

To this toiling world of ours?

Are they myriad clust'ring candles

Twinkling out at Heav'n's high Altar,

That across the dome of darkness

Through the holy stillnes falter?

No! they are love's silent music,

Shining out at Heav'n's portal,

In a thousand golden cyphers

Angel-written and immortal!