Song for Twilight
Hide me, O twilight air,
Hide me from thought, from care,
From all things foul or fair,
Until to-morrow!
To-night I strive no more;
No more my soul shall soar:
Come, sleep, and shut the door
’Gainst pain and sorrow!
If I must see through dreams,
Be mine Elysian gleams,
Be mine by morning streams
To watch and wander;
So may my spirit cast
(Serpent-like) off the past,
And my free soul at last
Have leave to ponder.
And shouldst thou ‘scape control,
Ponder on love, sweet soul;
On joy, the end and goal
Of all endeavour:
But if earth’s pains will rise,
(As damps will seek the skies,)
Then, night, seal thou mine eyes,
In sleep for ever.