Day and Night

ALL day the glorious Sun caressed
    Wide meadows and white winding way,
And on the Earth’s soft heaving breast
    Heart-warm his royal kisses lay.
She looked up in his face and smiled,
    With mists of love her face seemed dim ;
The golden Emperor was beguiled,
    To dream she would be true to him.

Yet was there, ‘neath his golden shower,
    No end of love for him astir ;
She waited, dreaming, for the hour
    When Night, her love, should come to her ;
When ‘neath Night’s mantle she should creep
    And feel his arms about her cling,
When the soft tears true lovers weep
    Should make amends for everything.