Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NIGHT AND DAY, by JAMES RYDER RANDALL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NIGHT AND DAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Night above and night below
Last Line: With the daybreak-stars—heigho.
Subject(s): Farewell; Love - Complaints; Parting


NIGHT above and night below—
Into the night you saw me go
With the midnight of my woe.

Had I never sought your side,
You had never wrung my pride;
Then my faith had never died.

I was mad to think you dear—
Madder far to kiss the spear—
Maddest, that I lingered here.

Welcome back, good pilgrim staff!
Truth is wind, and Love is chaff—
Both are winnowed by a laugh.

Hola ho! I will depart,
Though seditious tear-drops start—
Though each footfall stabs my heart!

Sink or swim I'll tempt the stream,
In your eye's repellent beam
Tombing what I dared to dream.

Day above and day below—
Into the day you'll see me go,
With the daybreak-stars—heigho.





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