The night darkens fast & the shadows darken, br Clouds & the rain gather about mine house, br Only the wood-dove moans, hearken, O hearken! br The moan of the wood-dove in the rain-wet boughs. br br Loneliness & the night! The night is lonely br Star-covered the night takes to a tender breast br Wrapping them in her veil these dark hours only br The weary, the bereaved, the dispossessed. br br When will it lighten? Once the night was kindly br Nor all her hours went by leaden & long. br Now in mine house the hours go groping blindly. br After the shiver of dawn, the first bird's song. br br Sleep now! The night with wings of splendour swept br Hides heavy eyes from light that they may sleep br Soft & secure, under her gaze so tender br Lest they should wake to weep, should wake to weep.