Poems (Hinchman)/As the full curtains of the welkin's arch
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As the full curtains of the welkin's arch
Hang low and hide from sight the greater sphere,
And all the lesser lights whose nightly march
Doth o'er our heads a dazzling vision appear;
So some dark veil droops now and winds me round,
Clouding my eyes with shadows' dreamy folds,
My hands with the same spirit-stuff seem bound
And cannot tear the band that loosely holds.
Oh, now ambition's eager, nerved start
Doth pause, and time doth swallow my new thought;
My strength gives way, and with a listless heart
I stand where life's desires and fears are naught.
Till from without my cloud may come a gleam
And lift my soul beyond this shadowy dream.
Hang low and hide from sight the greater sphere,
And all the lesser lights whose nightly march
Doth o'er our heads a dazzling vision appear;
So some dark veil droops now and winds me round,
Clouding my eyes with shadows' dreamy folds,
My hands with the same spirit-stuff seem bound
And cannot tear the band that loosely holds.
Oh, now ambition's eager, nerved start
Doth pause, and time doth swallow my new thought;
My strength gives way, and with a listless heart
I stand where life's desires and fears are naught.
Till from without my cloud may come a gleam
And lift my soul beyond this shadowy dream.