Poems (Kimball)/Vale
For works with similar titles, see Vale.
VALE.
GOOD-NIGHT, O Earth! the nights are growing long; The days are brief; Life hath one solemn burden for its song: "As fades the leaf."
Good-night, poor World! if thou art full o sin Why so am I! In this proud heart to judge would I begin, Nor self pass by.
Good-night my foe! not all the wrong was thine; My share I own; Forgive!—we, human, know one word Divine; The sun goes down.
Good-night, good friend! though poor my gifts to thee I will not fret; The richer thou whose bounty is so free, And sweet my debt.
No longer to revenge nor to repay I strive or seek; Empty I came, must empty go away, Empty and weak.
As one who wakes no more to smile or weep Another day, So would I lay me humbly down to sleep And humbly say:
Dear Lord, who hadst not where to lay Thy head, As poor were IDid not Thy mercy make for me a bed Whereon to die.