Beauties of the mind, a poetical sketch :: :: University of Virginia Library

Give me the Night, love, the beautiful Night!
When the stars in the heavens are glittering bright;
When the flowers are asleep on their pillow of leaves,
And no murmur is near, save the sigh the heart heaves:
When the spirit of tenderness hallows each scene,
And Memory turns fondly to days that have been,
When the valley's sweet waters reflect the moonlight,—
Oh! give me the Night, love, the beautiful Night!

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II

Give me the Night, be it starless and long,
When the gay hall is sounding with music and song,—
When the genius of poetry breathes her deep power!
And, oh! Love itself is more lovely that hour,—
When the dark curls of beauty more gracefully shine,
And the eyes bright by day are at evening divine!—
When all is enchantment that blesses the sight;—
Oh! give me the Night, love, the beautiful Night!