University of Virginia Library

NIGHT-SONG—WRITTEN AT SEA

'Tis night—my bark is on the ocean,
No sound I hear, no sight I see,
Not e'en the darkened waves whose motion
Still bears me, Fanny! far from thee;—
But from the misty skies are gleaming
Two smiling stars that look, my love,
As if thine eyes, though veiled, were beaming
Benignly on me from above.
Good-night and bless thee, Fanny dearest!
Nor let the sound disturb thy sleep,
If when the midnight wind thou hearest,
Thy thoughts are on the distant deep.
Thy lover there is safe and fearless,
For heaven still guards and guides his track,
Nor can his dreaming heart be cheerless,
For still to thee 'tis wafted back.

616

'Tis sweet on the benighted billow
To trust in Him whom all adore;
'Tis sweet to think that from her pillow
Her prayers for me shall Fanny pour.
The wind, self-lullabied, is dozing,
The winking stars withdraw their light,
Fanny! methinks thine eyes are closing,
Bless thee, my love! Good night, good night!