Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NIGHT, by ANNE BATTEN CRISTALL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NIGHT, by                    
First Line: Solemn is night, when silence holds her reign
Last Line: "or mourns those joys which of themselves decay!"
Subject(s): Night; Bedtime


SOLEMN is night, when Silence holds her reign,
And the hushed winds die on the heaving main;
When no short gleam of scattered light appears,
Nor lunar beams make faint the nobler stars;
Then those whom inward cares deprive of rest
Pour forth the secret sorrows of the breast.


Such was the night-smooth glides the bark along,
From whence young HENRY breathed his thoughtful song;
Pacing the deck, he threw his eyes around
The thick-starred firmament, and vast profound;
The patient winds scarce whistled o'er the waist,
The burning waves the vessel's prow embraced;
The nitrous air unclouded glowed on high,
With northern meteors trembling through the sky.


"Eternal Power!" he cried, "with justice fraught,
"O! teach a wretch to curb each stubborn thought,
"Whose passions reason's powers no more restrain,
"Grown wanton midst intolerable pain.


"Pierced by ingratitude, I rove forlorn,
"My faithful heart from strong affection's torn;
"A willing exile on the dangerous main,
"Unshook by storms, while calms breathe peace in vain.
"Oft with unmanly tenderness I mourn;
"And, tortured by imagination, burn;
"Sighs in a natural cadence close each song,
"And tones of anguish vibrate on my tongue.


"All is now hushed, still as the silent grave,
"The breeze scarce swells the smooth unruffled wave,
"Which glittering with celestial lustre bright,
"Reflects the spangled heaven's ethereal light:
"O! how sublime this tract, for man designed!
"Vast the perceptions of his rapid mind!
"Strongly to earth his young affections cling,
"While Fancy waves her bright and various wing;
"But soon each hope of earthly bliss is crossed,
"Nipt in the bud, or in possession lost;
"Blushing, our empty wishes we survey,
"When we our passions with their motives weigh.


"Deeply I feel this still and solemn hour,
"Impressed with GOD'S immeasurable power;
"While worlds unnumbered 'mid yon ether burn,
"And thoughts immense pour in where'er I turn.
"How much man errs, whose soul, with thought sublime,
"Looks on towards endless bliss thro' boundless time!
"When he to earthly passions gives dire sway,
"Or mourns those joys which of themselves decay!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net