Night

by William Blake

　　The sun descending in the west,

　　The evening star does shine;

　　The birds are silent in their nest,

　　And I must seek for mine.

　　The moon, like a flower

　　In heaven’s high bower,

　　With silent delight,

　　Sits and smiles on the night.

　　Farewell, green fields and happy groves,

　　Where flocks have took delight.

　　Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves

　　The feet of angels bright;

　　Unseen, they pour blessing,

　　And joy without ceasing,

　　On each bud and blossom,

　　And each sleeping bosom.

　　They look in every thoughtless nest

　　Where birds are covered warm;

　　They visit caves of every beast,

　　To keep them all from harm:

　　If they see any weeping

　　That should have been sleeping,

　　They pour sleep on their head,

　　And sit down by their bed.

　　When wolves and tigers howl for prey,

　　They pitying stand and weep;

　　Seeking to drive their thirst away,

　　And keep them from the sheep.

　　But if they rush dreadful,

　　The angels, most heedful,

　　Receive each mild spirit,

　　New worlds to inherit.

　　And there the lion’s ruddy eyes

　　Shall flow with tears of gold,

　　And pitying the tender cries,

　　And walking round the fold,

　　Saying: ‘Wrath, by His meekness,

　　And, by His health, sickness

　　Is driven away

　　From our immortal day.

　　‘And now beside thee, bleating lamb,

　　I can lie down and sleep;

　　Or think on Him who bore thy name,

　　Graze after thee and weep.

　　For, wash'd in life’s river

　　My bright mane for ever

　　Shall shine like the gold

　　As I guard o’er the fold.’