An Evening Song (Lanier)

An Evening Song by Sidney Lanier

Sidney Lanier composed this poem in 1876.

Look off, dear Love, across the sallow sands,
      And mark yon meeting of the sun and sea,
How long they kiss in sight of all the lands.
                        Ah! longer, longer, we.

Now in the sea’s red vintage melts the sun,
      As Egypt’s pearl dissolved in rosy wine,
And Cleopatra night drinks all. ’Tis done,
                        Love, lay thine hand in mine.

Come forth, sweet stars, and comfort heaven’s heart;
      Glimmer, ye waves, round else unlighted sands.
O night! divorce our sun and sky apart
                        Never our lips, our hands.