Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As evening approaches, here’s a poem for your consideration by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882), American poet and educator.

Longfellow wrote "Hymn to the Night" in 1839, during a period of intense personal turmoil. His wife had just suffered a miscarriage, and he was struggling with doubts about his career and his ability to create meaningful art.

Hymn to the Night
Aspasie, trillistos.

I heard the trailing garments of the Night
Sweep through her marble halls!
I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light
From the celestial walls!

I felt her presence, by its spell of might,
Stoop o'er me from above;
The calm, majestic presence of the Night,
As of the one I love.

I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight,
The manifold, soft chimes,
That fill the haunted chambers of the Night
Like some old poet's rhymes.

From the cool cisterns of the midnight air
My spirit drank repose;
The fountain of perpetual peace flows there, —
From those deep cisterns flows.

O holy Night! from thee I learn to bear
What man has borne before!
Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care,
And they complain no more.

Peace! Peace! Orestes-like I breathe this prayer!
Descend with broad-winged flight,
The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most fair,
The best-beloved Night!

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow