Night & Day

 

Night & Day by Robert Louis Stevenson

When the golden day is done, 

Through the closing portal, 

Child and garden, Flower and sun, 

Vanish all things mortal. 

As the blinding shadows fall 

As the rays diminish, 

Under evening's cloak they all 

Roll away and vanish. 

Garden darkened, daisy shut, 

Child in bed, they slumber-- 

Glow-worm in the hallway rut, 

Mice among the lumber. 

In the darkness houses shine, 

Parents move the candles; 

Till on all the night divine 

Turns the bedroom handles. 

Till at last the day begins 

In the east a-breaking, 

In the hedges and the whins 

Sleeping birds a-waking. 

In the darkness shapes of things, 

Houses, trees and hedges, 

Clearer grow; and sparrow's wings 

Beat on window ledges. 

These shall wake the yawning maid; 

She the door shall open-- 

Finding dew on garden glade 

And the morning broken. 

There my garden grows again 

Green and rosy painted, 

As at eve behind the pane 

From my eyes it fainted. 

Just as it was shut away, 

Toy-like, in the even, 

Here I see it glow with day 

Under glowing heaven. 

Every path and every plot, 

Every blush of roses, 

Every blue forget-me-not 

Where the dew reposes, 

"Up!" they cry, "the day is come 

On the smiling valleys: 

We have beat the morning drum; 

Playmate, join your allies!" 

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