Friday Night

FRIDAY NIGHT! come draw the curtain;

I am weary with the week;

Sit before the grate-fire with me,

And together let us speak;

Put aside your books and papers—

It is neither night nor day,

And the Sabbath morn approaches;

Put your endless toil away.

Watch the fire-light—how it flickers!

See the light and shadow play

From the fender to the carpet

And across the curtain gay;

See its gentle fairy-fingers

Touch the pictures on the wall,

Giving them a life-like beauty

Lending grace to each and all.

Over yonder hangs a picture

Sheltered from the dancing gleam;

See its dim, uncertain outlines,

Like the mem’ry of a dream;

Watch the light dispel the shadows,

And observe the lovely face;

See, it seems the Sabbath Spirit,

Cloth’d with pure and tender grace;

Calling to your mind the missing

Angels of our household band,

Who, on bygone Sabbath evenings,

Sat beside us, hand in hand;

Bringing back our hopes and longings,

Crowning them with light divine,

Showing us our vain endeavors,

Softened by the glow of time;

Speaking of its own sweet image,

As our fathers knew it best—

Beautiful in true thanksgiving

For the day of peace and rest;

Teaching us to break the shadows

Hovering o’er its lov’d face,

With the glowing light of fervor

Kindled by our ancient race.

But I know I’m only dreaming,

’Tis a picture—nothing more—

Image of some lovely maiden

Famed in song or fairy lore;

Drop the curtain, watch the fire

Till the shadows flee the light;

Rest awhile within its gleaming,

On this peaceful Sabbath night.

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