Who is he that swiftly comes <br /> In the lovely silence of night?— <br />I know him by his sparkling plumes, <br /> That shine in the clear moonlight; <br />By the scarlet wings of his soaring bird, <br />And the ceaseless music round him heard. <br /> I know him by his arrows, <br /> And by his blossom'd bow; <br />By the forms of radiant beauty that bear, <br />And softly wave in the perfumed air, <br /> His standard to and fro. <br /> <br />Often and long, on the summer sea, <br />In the moonlight have I watched for thee— <br />When the glittering beam was downward thrown, <br />And each wave with a crest of diamond shone. <br />I have seen the thin clouds sail along, <br />And I raised, to welcome thee, many a song; <br /> <br /> <br />But long have I lingered, and watch'd in vain, <br />To see the light of the starry train <br />Sweep in beauty across the sky, <br />To tones of heavenly harmony. <br /> <br /> <br />Now I behold thee! now 'tis the hour— <br />Yes! thou art come in thy splendour and power!— <br />But, no! the vision is passing on, <br />The bright forms vanish one by one— <br />On the desolate shore I am left alone! <br />Yet stay! oh, stay!—like lightning they move— <br />To well, by thy fleetness, I know thou art Love!<br /><br />Louisa Stuart Costello<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-indian-cupid/
