Nicholson & Lee, eds. The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse. 1917.
Madison Cawein (1865–1914)280. The Watcher on the Tower
The Voice of a Man
W
Yea, what of it?
A star has risen; and a wind blows strong.
The Night is dark.
But God is there above it.
The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long.
Voice of the Man
What of the Night, O Watcher?
Night of sorrow!
Out of the East there comes a sound, like song.
The Night is dark.
Have courage! There’s To-morrow!
The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long.
Voice of the Man
What of the Night, O Watcher?
Is it other?
I see a gleam; a thorn of light; a thong.
The Night is dark.
The Morning comes, my Brother.
The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long.
Voice of the Man
What now, what now, O Watcher?
Red as slaughter
The Darkness dies. The Light comes swift and strong.
The Night was long.—What sayest thou, my Daughter?
The Night was dark; the Night was dark and long.