To the Night

SWIFTLY walk over the western wave  
Spirit of Night! 
Out of the misty eastern cave 
Where all the long and lone daylight  
Thou wovest dreams of joy and fear 5 
Which make thee terrible and dear ¡ª 
Swift be thy flight! 

Wrap thy form in a mantle gray  
Star-inwrought; 
Blind with thine hair the eyes of Day 10 
Kiss her until she be wearied out: 
Then wander o'er city and sea and land  
Touching all with thine opiate wand¡ª 
Come long-sought! 

When I arose and saw the dawn 15 
I sigh'd for thee; 
When light rode high and the dew was gone  
And noon lay heavy on flower and tree  
And the weary Day turn'd to his rest 
Lingering like an unloved guest 20 
I sigh'd for thee.
 

Thy brother Death came and cried  
Wouldst thou me?  
Thy sweet child Sleep the filmy-eyed  
Murmur'd like a noontide bee 25 
Shall I nestle near thy side? 
Wouldst thou me? ¡ªAnd I replied  
No, not thee!  

Death will come when thou art dead  
Soon too soon; 30 
Sleep will come when thou art fled: 
Of neither would I ask the boon 
I ask of thee belov¨¨d Night¡ª 
Swift be thine approaching flight  
Come soon soon! 35 

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