Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 2. 5. And Were That Best!

And were that best, Love, dreamless, endless sleep!
     ⁠Gone all the fury of the mortal day—
⁠     The daylight gone, and gone the starry ray!
⁠     And were that best, Love, rest serene and deep!
Gone labor and desire; no arduous steep
⁠     To climb, no songs to sing, no prayers to pray,
     ⁠No help for those who perish by the way,
⁠     No laughter 'mid our tears, no tears to weep!
And were that best, Love, sleep with no dear dream,
⁠     Nor memory of anything in life—
     ⁠Stark death that neither help nor hurt can know!
O, rather, far, the sorrow-bringing gleam,
⁠     The living day's long agony and strife!
⁠     Rather strong love in pain; the waking woe!