adamdaniel

The Shades of Night

Wrap the shawl of night about my being!
Drape the cloak of darkness on my back,
From the barren daylight ever fleeing,
From the lurid light in foul attack.

Rather, I should walk in starry meadows,
Pastures that traverse the welkin dome,
Effervescent life in swarthy shadows!
Angels gilding mirth into their home.

Even frosty grasses bathe in pleasure,
Underneath the moon’s eternal smile,
Glimmering in paradisic leisure,
Every star of heaven dost beguile!

Silver lights the temple for the virgin—
Vesta in her purity and bliss,
Even as the Milky Way dost burgeon,
She exists to fathom heaven’s kiss.

Spy the crystal planets in profusion!
Glittering in fanciful array,
Doubt of the Creator but illusion,
Holy hands built Adam out of clay!

Wending to infinity — His treasure,
Such a bounty, awesome to behold,
Constellations formed in endless measure,
With the stately moon in pallid gold.

Wrap the gifts of godhead on my person!
Crown me in the beauties of beyond!
Deprived of this provision I should worsen,
Sundered from my love I would despond.

Give me unto evanescent dreaming,
Caught within the bosom of the night,
Vega and Polaris ever gleaming,
In these heavens — manifold delight!