The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Barrier

THE BARRIER

The Midnight wooed the Morning-Star, And prayed her: "Love come nearer; Your swinging coldly there afar To me but makes you dearer!"

The Morning-Star was pale with dole As said she, low replying: "Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, For you I too am sighing.

"But One ordained when we were born, In spite of Love's insistence, That Night might only view the Morn  Adoring at a distance."

But as she spoke the jealous Sun Across the heavens panted. "Oh, whining fools," he cried, "have done; Your wishes shall be granted!"

He hurled his flaming lances far; The twain stood unaffrighted— And Midnight and the Morning-Star Lay down in death united!