Daybreak
IN the morning twilight, while the household yet
Slumbering securely day and night forget,
Lightly o’er the threshold I pass, and breathless stand
In the dream of beauty that rests on sea and land.
Fresh and calm and dewy, bathed in delicate air,
The happy earth awakens and grows of day aware.
Sweetly breaks the silence some bird’s delicious trill,
And from the southern distance a breeze begins to thrill.
All the stars have faded, and the low large moon
O’er the western water will have vanished soon.
Crystal-clear and cloudless the awful arch is bright,
As up the conscious heaven streams the growing light.
On the far horizon softly sleeps the haze;
O’er the ocean spaces steal the rosy rays;
Winds and waves are quiet, only far away
'Gainst the rock a breaker tosses sudden spray.
Out behind the headland glides the coaster slow,
All her canvas blushing in the ruddy glow;
Where the steadfast lighthouse watches day and night,
Beautiful and stately she passes out of sight.
Day that risest splendid, with promise so divine,
Mine is thy perfect gladness, thy loveliness is mine.
Thou touchest with thy blessing God’s creatures great and small;
None shalt thou find more grateful than I among them all.
I turn my face in worship to the glory of the East.
I thank the lavish giver of my life’s perpetual feast,
And fain would I be worthy to partake of Nature’s bliss,
And share with her a moment so exquisite as this!
