VIII
15 lines✦
kind protecting Darkness! as a childFlies back to bury in its mother’s lapHis shame and his confusion, so to thee,O Mother Night, come I! within the foldsOf thy dark robe hide thou me close; for ISo long, so heedless, with external thingsHave played the liar, that whate’er I see,E’en these white glimmering curtains, yon bright stars,Which to the rest rain comfort down, for meSmiling those smiles, which I may not return,Or frowning frowns of fierce triumphant malice,As angry claimants or expectants sureOf that I promised and may not perform,Look me in the face! O hide me, Mother Night! 1841
✦