A Noble Sonnet.—

Mysterious Night! when our first parent knew
Thee, from report divine, and heard thy name,
Did he not tremble for this lovely frame,
This glorious canopy of light and blue?
Yet, neath a current of translucent dew,
Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame,
Hesperus with the host of heaven came,
And lo! creation widen'd in man's view.
Who could have thought such darkness lay conceal'd,
Within thy beams, O Sun? or who could find,
Whilst fly, and leaf, and insect stood reveal'd
That to such countless orbs thou mad'st us blind?
Why do we, then, shun death with anxious strife,
If light can thus deceive, wherefore not life?