Ballads: Serenade

Serenade

Now the toils of day are over,
  And the sun hath sunk to rest,
Seeking, like a fiery lover,
  The bosom of the blushing west--
The faithful night keeps watch and ward,
  Raising the moon her silver shield,
And summoning the stars to guard
  The slumbers of my fair Mathilde!
The faithful night!  Now all things lie
  Hid by her mantle dark and dim,
In pious hope I hither hie,
  And humbly chant mine ev'ning hymn.
Thou art my prayer, my saint, my shrine!
  (For never holy pilgrim kneel'd,
Or wept at feet more pure than thine),
  My virgin love, my sweet Mathilde!

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