O day and night! O day and night! beneath your glory The crimson flood of life itself has turned to fire! The rugged brows of those old rocks, storm-rent and hoary, Are quivering in their grim surprise at my desire. The mother earth, throbbing with pain and pleasure, Would sink her voices for the languid noon, But light airs wake a reckless madd'ning measure, And wavelets dance and sparkle to the tune. And mock the mocking malice of yon day-dimm'd gibbous moon. * * * * * O day and night! O day and night! a fisher maiden Is wand'ring up the path to where unseen I lie; She comes with some light spoil from off the shore beladen. And softly singing of the sea goes slowly by. And slowly rise great sun-tipped white cloud masses, Sublimely still their shadows flit and flee: How silently the work of nature passes-- The roll of worlds, the growth of flower and tree! Angels of God in heaven! give him to me! give him to me! O day and night! O day and night! the hours rolling Bring ev'ry one its change, its song, or chant, or chime: Now solemnly their sounds a distant death-knell tolling. And now the bells above beat forth the flight of time. I lie, unconsciously each trifle noting, The far-off sailors toiling on the quay, Or o'er the sand a broad-wing'd sea-bird floating, Or passing hum of honey-laden'd bee-- Angels of God in heaven! give him to me! give him to me! O day and night! O day and night! the scene surrounding Grows dim and all unreal beneath the sunset glow; And all the heat and rage pass into peace abounding, I moan, I fear no more, but wait, while still tears flow. The warm sweet airs scarce move the flowerets slender, A pause and hush have settled on the sea, A bird trills forth its love-song low and tender: O bird rejoice! thy love and thou art free- Angels of God in heaven! give him to me! give him to me! * * * * * O day and night! O day and night! ye knew it ever! Ye saw it written in the world's first golden prime! And smiled your giant smile at all my rash endeavour To snatch the cup unfill'd from out the hand of Time. He comes, O day and night! Spirits attending, Swift formless messengers my ev'ry sense apprise! He comes! the bright fair head o'er some old book low bending Dear Lord, at last! his eyes have met my eyes-- Gleam of light goes quivering across the happy skies! * * * * *