The Light of Stars

T
Thenightiscome,butnottoosoon;
Andsinkingsilently,
Allsilently,thelittlemoon
Dropsdownbehindthesky.

Thereisnolightinearthorheaven
Butthecoldlightofstars;
Andthefirstwatchofnightisgiven
TotheredplanetMars.

Isitthetenderstaroflove?
Thestarofloveanddreams?
Ono!fromthatbluetentabove,
Ahero'sarmorgleams.

Andearnestthoughtswithinmerise,
WhenIbeholdafar,
Suspendedintheeveningskies,
Theshieldofthatredstar.

Ostarofstrength!Iseetheestand
Andsmileuponmypain;
Thoubeckonestwiththymailèdhand,
AndIamstrongagain.

Withinmybreastthereisnolight
Butthecoldlightofstars;
Igivethefirstwatchofthenight
TotheredplanetMars.

Thestaroftheunconqueredwill,
Herisesinmybreast,
Serene,andresolute,andstill,
Andcalm,andself-possessed.

Andthou,too,whosoe'erthouart,
Thatreadestthisbriefpsalm,
Asonebyonethyhopesdepart,
Beresoluteandcalm.

Ofearnotinaworldlikethis,
Andthoushaltknowerelong,
Knowhowsublimeathingitis
Tosufferandbestrong.
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