The night is come, but not too soon; <br />And sinking silently, <br />All silently, the little moon <br />Drops down behind the sky. <br /> <br />There is no light in earth or heaven <br />But the cold light of stars; <br />And the first watch of night is given <br />To the red planet Mars. <br /> <br />Is it the tender star of love? <br />The star of love and dreams? <br />O no! from that blue tent above, <br />A hero's armor gleams. <br /> <br />And earnest thoughts within me rise, <br />When I behold afar, <br />Suspended in the evening skies, <br />The shield of that red star. <br /> <br />O star of strength! I see thee stand <br />And smile upon my pain; <br />Thou beckonest with thy mailed hand, <br />And I am strong again. <br /> <br />Within my breast there is no light <br />But the cold light of stars; <br />I give the first watch of the night <br />To the red planet Mars. <br /> <br />The star of the unconquered will, <br />He rises in my breast, <br />Serene, and resolute, and still, <br />And calm, and self-possessed. <br /> <br />And thou, too, whosoe'er thou art, <br />That readest this brief psalm, <br />As one by one thy hopes depart, <br />Be resolute and calm. <br /> <br />O fear not in a world like this, <br />And thou shalt know erelong, <br />Know how sublime a thing it is <br />To suffer and be strong.<br /><br />Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/voices-of-the-night-the-light-of-stars/
