Poems (Terry, 1861)/Hesper

by Rose Terry Cooke

HESPER.

Sunset on the mountains hoary,
  Deepens into night;
Day hath lost its crown of glory,
  Life hath lost its light.

In mine eyes the tears are springing,
  For thy face I see;
In my heart its dreams are singing,
  Mournful songs of thee.

All the sunshine fled from heaven
  With thy closing eyes;
Yet on me, at lonely even,
  Clear as stars they rise.

Though the way be long and dreary
  Down the mountain's side,
I no more can call it weary,
  Thou art there my bride!

I behold thy garments flowing,
 Snow-like, in the moon;
See thy parted lips are glowing,
 Red as flowers in June.

Underneath the daisies lying,
 Lost in dreamless sleep;
Thou hast heard my nightly crying,
 Thou hast left my sleep.

All the night in visions tender,
 Love and life return;
Until morning's cloudy splendor
 O'er the hills shall burn.

Day glides slowly o'er the meadow,
 Love and life to steal;
But the first star's trembling shadow
 Brings a bridal peal.