Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Asia: Vols. XXI–XXIII. 1876–79.

Syria: Bethlehem

Watchman! Tell Us of the Night

By Sir John Bowring (1792–1872)

WATCHMAN! tell us of the night,

What its signs of promise are.

Traveller! o’er yon mountain’s height,

See that glory-beaming star.

Watchman! does its beauteous ray

Aught of hope or joy foretell?

Traveller! yes; it brings the day,

Promised day of Israel.

Watchman! tell us of the night;

Higher yet that star ascends.

Traveller! blessedness and light,

Peace and truth, its course portends.

Watchman! will its beams alone

Gild the spot that gave them birth?

Traveller! ages are its own;

See, it bursts o’er all the earth!

Watchman! tell us of the night,

For the morning seems to dawn.

Traveller! darkness takes its flight;

Doubt and terror are withdrawn.

Watchman! let thy wanderings cease;

Hie thee to thy quiet home:

Traveller! lo, the Prince of Peace,

Lo, the Son of God, is come!