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STARS, SELS., by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O, stars, and dreams, and gentle night
Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Ellis


Ah! why, because the dazzling sun
āàRestored our Earth to joy,
Have you departed, every one,
āàAnd left a desert sky?

All through the night, your glorious eyes
āàWere gazing down in mine,
And, with a full heart's thankful sighs,
āàI blessed that watch divine.

I was at peace, and drank your beams
āàAs they were life to me;
And revelled in my changeful dreams,
āàLike petrel on the sea.

Thought followed thought, star followed star
āàThrough boundless regions, on;
While one sweet influence, near and far,
āàThrilled through, and proved us one!

Why did the morning dawn to break
āàSo great, so pure, a spell;
And scorch with fire the tranquil cheek,
āàWhere your cool radiance fell?

Blood-red, he rose, and, arrow-straight,
āàHis fierce beams struck my brow;
The soul of nature sprang, elate,
āàBut mine sank sad and low!

My lids closed down, yet through their veil
āàI saw him, blazing, still,
And steep in gold the misty dale,
āàAnd flash upon the hill.

I turned me to the pillow, then,
āàTo call back night, and see
Your worlds of solemn light, again,
āàThrob with my heart, and me!

It would not do-the pillow glowed,
āàAnd glowed both roof and floor;
And birds sang loudly in the wood,
āàAnd fresh winds shook the door;

The curtains waved, the wakened flies
āàWere murmuring round my room,
Imprisoned there, till I should rise,
āàAnd give them leave to roam.

Oh, stars, and dreams, and gentle night;
āàOh, night and stars, return!
And hide me from the hostile light
āàThat does not warm, but burn;

That drains the blood of suffering men;
āàDrinks tears, instead of dew;
Let me sleep through his blinding reign,
āàAnd only wake with you!






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