Night Comes

Softly and sadly Up on the knoll; The vesper bell Begins to toll. Lock all the doors Blow out the light; The hour is late Sleep comes with the night. Close all the windows Smother the fire; Sound slips into silence When mortals retire. Downstairs is deserted No one in the hall Nirvana of sleep Rules over all. A day's work completed Now done like the day; Rest is now needed For those made of clay. How soft is the night Where dark shadows fall; The seduction of sleep Captures us all.