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What though unbidden tears may turn us blind?

Twilight still comes, and still brings sweet release:

Merciful night, in spite of all, shall find

Us waiting each for each, for sleep is kind,

And moulds from sorrow’s clay the cup of peace.

Heart of my heart, drink deep of that surcease

That at her goblet’s rim divinely gleams:

Whate’er may be deceptive day’s caprice,

I wait you on the borderland of dreams,

Where the world stumbles and is left behind!

And, through my visions as you thread your way,

Girt with that grace my eyes alone may see,

If I make bold your noiseless steps to stay,

It is because in sleep alone I may

Be half to you of all that I would be.

It is because my longing lips, set free,

Can compass then alone each subtle phrase,

And snare in speech that magic melody

Which, since your coming, sings adown my days.

Only in sleep my lips my heart obey.