Maryland, my Maryland, and other poems/Night and Day

by James Ryder Randall

NIGHT AND DAY

Night above and night below—
Into the night you saw me go,
With the midnight of my woe.

Had I never sought your side,
You had never stung my pride;
Then my faith had never died.

I was made to think you dear—
Madder far to kiss the spear—
Maddest, that I lingered here.

Welcome back, good pilgrim’s staff!
Truth is wind, and Love is chaff—
Both are winnowed by a laugh.

Hola ho; I will depart
Though seditious tear-drops start—
Though each foot-fall stabs my heart!

Sink or swim I’ll tempt the stream;
In your eye’s repellant beam
Tombing what I dared to dream.

Day above and day below—
Into the day you’ll see me go,
With the day-break stars—heigho.