Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By HildegardeHawthorne

1662 A Song

SING me a sweet, low song of night

Before the moon is risen,

A song that tells of the stars’ delight

Escaped from day’s bright prison,

A song that croons with the cricket’s voice,

That sleeps with the shadowed trees,

A song that shall bid my heart rejoice

At its tender mysteries!

And then when the song is ended, love,

Bend down your head unto me,

Whisper the word that was born above

Ere the moon had swayed the sea;

Ere the oldest star began to shine,

Or the farthest sun to burn,—

The oldest of words, O heart of mine,

Yet newest, and sweet to learn.