Sunset Poem by Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper

When I have fully satisfied mine eyes
With the calm beauty of a summer's eve,
Have watched the sun sink down to rest, and leave
A splendid radiance in the western skies ;
The glory fades, all creatures hush their cries.
The gates of Death stand open to receive
The lingering light, and Nature seems to grieve
For the slow passing of the day that dies.
Then will a subtle melancholy steal
Upon my senses, and the voices deep
Of Night and Death call with a mute appeal.
Why will men strive and wrangle, laugh and weep,
When such an hour can almost reveal
The beauty of the everlasting Sleep ?
These many months I have not seen thy face,
Darkness and gloom have covered me, the night
Has chilled my soul with doublings, and my sight
Is all bedimmed, so that I scarce can trace
The narrow path that saves me from disgrace.
And hard it is to battle for the right
Without thy voice to cheer me in the fight,
Or speed my faltering footsteps in the race.
Come love, and save me, for my faith grows cold.
Come, and with thy sweet presence heal my pain,
And all my foolish doubts and fears remove ;
So shall I, like the Spartan youth of old,
Go forth to battle, and return again
Or with my shield, or on it, to my love.