Songs Of Innocence

Night

• 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 cover'd 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 tygers 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.”