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 feel of angels bright.
Unseen they pour blessings and joy without ceasing
On each bud and each sleeping bossom.
They look in 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, they pitying stand and weep.
Seeking to drive their thirst away and keep them from their sheep.
And there the lion's reddy 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 by 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 washed in life's river, my bright mane forever,
Shall shine like the gold, as I guard o'er the fold.