A Watch Of The Night

by Bayard Taylor

Blow, winds of midnight, blow!
The clouds, fast-flying, chase
Across the pallid face
Of yonder moon, and go!

Sweep, as ye list, the land:
Hurl down the heavy corn,
And wrench the trees forlorn
That struggle where they stand!

Though mighty to destroy,
To me ye bring no fear;
But in your voice I hear
An echo of my joy.

Life -- life to me ye bring:
The precious soul, that takes
Its life from mine, awakes,
And soon will crown me king.

I stand with silent breath,
To hear one little cry
Ring through the roaring sky,
And worlds of Life and Death.

Wake, timid soul, and be!
Two Fathers wait thy birth:
The love of Heaven and Earth
Stands by to welcome thee!