“ When the Night and Morning Meet.
“ In the dark and narrow street,1
Into a world of woe,2
Where the tread of many feet3
Went trampling to and fro,4
A child was born—speak low !5
When the night and morning meet.6
“ Full seventy summers back7
Was this ; so long ago,8
The feet that wore the track9
Are lying straight and low,—10
Yet hath there been no lack11
Of passers to and fro.12
“ Within the narrow street13
This childhood ever played ;14
Beyond the narrow street15
This manhood never strayed ;16
This age sat still and prayed17
Anear the trampling feet.18
“ The tread of ceaseless feet19
Flowed through his life, unstirred20
By waters’ fall, or fleet21
Wind music, or the bird22
Of morn,—these sounds are sweet,23
But they were still unheard.24
“ Within the narrow street25
I stood beside a bed—26
I held a dying head27
When the night and morning meet ;28
And every word was sweet,29
Though few the words we said.30
“ And as we talked, dawn drew31
To day—the world was fair32
In fields afar, I knew ;33
Yet spoke not to him there34
Of how the grasses grew,35
Besprent with dew-drops rare.36
“ We spoke not of the sun,37
Nor of this green earth fair ;38
This soul, whose day was done,39
Had never claimed its share40
In these, and yet its rare41
Rich heritage had won.42
“ From the dark and narrow street43
Into a world of love44
A child was born,—speak low,45
Speak reverent, for we know46
Not how they speak above,47
When the night and morning meet.”48