Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A PRELUDE OF NIGHT, by JOHN BANISTER TABB


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A PRELUDE OF NIGHT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Over the waters far there came
Last Line: "to her dark-sheltered breast."
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Night; Bedtime


Over the waters far there came,
At the birth of the evening star, a voice
Like music low;
Unto the heart alone it spake,
With the stress of the ocean tone.

"Mine is the reign of peace," it said;
"Day's restless throbbings cease in me;
The fevered glow
Of her o'erwearied feet subsides
Beneath my kisses sweet.

"My starry arch doth link this calm
Of twilight to the brink of her
Pale sister-hour,
While trembling shadows weave in one
All stranger souls that grieve.

"Light is the keen-edged blade that cleaves
The spirits kindred made in dreams;
My gentle power
Breathes into souls apart a sigh
From the day's breaking heart.

"Noon hath no gift of tears; her eye
Burns with a glance that sears the wings
Of tender thought;
And from its lidless fire, aghast,
All fairy throngs retire.

"Night is the elder child of God;
His brooding spirit mild, as ere
The light was wrought,
Still for its wonted rest returns
To her dark-sheltered breast."





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