Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow/The Barrier

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Layout 2

THE BARRIER

THE Midnight wooed the Morning Star,
 And prayed her: "Love come nearer;
Your swinging coldly there afar
 To me but makes you dearer."

The Morning Star was pale with dole
 As said she, low replying:
"Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul,
 For you I too am sighing."

"But One ordained when we were born,
 In spite of love's insistence,
That night might only view the Morn
 Adoring at a distance."

But as she spoke, the jealous Sun
 Across the heavens panted;
"Oh, whining fools," he cried, "have
  done,
 Your wishes shall be granted."

He hurled his flaming lances far;
 The twain stood unaffrighted,
And Midnight and the Morning Star
 Lay down in death united.