Myrtle and Myrrh/A Serenade

by Ameen Rihani

 

A SERENADE

I

The moon hath said her sad good-bye,
My sleeping queen;
And all the stars are wondering why
Thou art unseen.
Behold! abashed, they take to flight,
As through the casement breaks thy light.
Arise, my dawn, arise!
Arise, my queen serene!

II

The field of heaven is all thine own,
My peerless star,
Just as my heart is thine alone,
Be near or far.
So let thy face adorn the night,
And flood it with thy dazzling light.
Arise, my queen, arise!
Arise, to my guitar!

III

The vaults above all vacant seem,
My sweetest flower;
And for thy scent, the cherubim
Long at this hour.
A moment from thy sweet dream part,
Though in that dream be wove my heart.
Arise, my queen, arise!
Let fall thy perfume shower.