Across the field of day br In sudden blazon lay br The pallid bar of gold br Borne on the shield of day. br Night had endured so long, br And now the Day grew strong br With lance of light to hold br The Night at bay. br br So on my life's dull night br The splendour of your light br Traversed the dusky shield br And shone forth golden bright. br Your colours I have worn br Through all the fight forlorn, br And these, with life, I yield, br To-night, to Night.