Poem by Henry Vaughan

Midnight

WHEN to my Eyes
Whilst deep sleep others catches,
Thine host of spies,
The stars, shine in their watches,
I do survey
Each busy ray,
And how they work, and wind;
And wish each beam
My soul doth stream
With the like ardour shin'd;
What emanations,
Quick vibrations,
And bright stirs are there!
What thin ejections,
Cold affections,
And slow motions here!

Thy heav'ns, some say,
Are a fiery-liquid light,
Which mingling aye
Streams, and flames thus to the sight.
Come then, my God!
Shine on this blood
And water, in one beam;
And Thou shalt see
Kindled by Thee
Both liquors burn, and stream.
O what bright quickness,
Active brightness,
And celestial flows,
Will follow after
On that water,
Which Thy Spirit blows! 

1. Vain Wits and Eyes
2. The Daughter of Herodias
3. The Evening-Watch
4. Cock-Crowing
5. The Nativity

Dorothy Parker Midnight ("The stars are soft as flowers, and as near")

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