I never lay me down to sleep at night But in my heart I sing that little song: The angels hear it as, a pitying throng, They touch my burning lids with fingers bright As moonbeams, pale, impalpable, and light: And when my daily pious tasks are done, And all my patient prayers said one by one, God hears it. Seems it sinful in His sight That round my...Learn More

I shall not paint them. God them sees, and I: No other can, nor need. They have no form, I may not close with human kisses warm Their eyes which shine afar or from on high, But never will shine nearer till I die. How long, how long! See, I am growing old; I have quite ceased to note in my hair's fold The silver threads that there in ambush...Learn More

Soul, spirit, genius--which thou art--that whence I know not, rose upon this mortal frame Like the sun o'er the mountains, all aflame, Seen large through mists of childish innocence, And year by year with me uptravelling thence, As hour by hour the day-star, madest aspire My nature, interpenetrate with fire It felt but understood not--strong,...Learn More

"Poor heart, what bitter words we speak When God speaks of resigning!" Children, that lay their pretty garlands by So piteously, yet with a humble mind; Sailors, who, when their ship rocks in the wind, Cast out her freight with half-averted eye, Riches for life exchanging solemnly, Lest they should never gain the wished-for shore;-- Thus we, O...Learn More

Soul, dwelling oft in God's infinitude, And sometimes seeming no more part of me-- This me, worms' heritage--than that sun can be Part of the earth he has with warmth imbued,-- Whence camest thou? whither goest thou? I, subdued With awe of mine own being--thus sit still, Dumb, on the summit of this lonely hill, Whose dry November-grasses...Learn More