Henry Alford

Midnight Thoughts

'Tis just the moment when time hangs in doubt Between the parting and the coming day: The deep clock tolleth twelve: and its full tide Of swelling sound pours out upon the wind: The bright cold stars are glittering from the sky, And one of large light, fairer than the rest, Looks through yon screen of leaf--deserted limes. Not undelightful are the trains of thought That usher in my midnights. Thou art there Whom my soul loveth; in that calm still hour Thy image floats before mine inward eye, Placid as is the season, wrapt in sleep, And heaving gently with unconscious breath; While thy bright guardian watches at thy head, Unseen of mortal, through the nightly hours, Active against intrusion on thy mind Of aught unholy: careful to preserve The sanctuary of thy spirit swept and pure For early worship when thine eyelids wake. Sleep softly, and wake softly! may thy dreams Be all of Heaven, as mine are all of Thee.