Oh! Purer Than the Day New-born

Oh! purer than the day new-born,
More candid than the pearlèd morn,
Come soon and set the day in tune
All through the sun-bathed afternoon;
Come soon!

Oh! sweeter than the roses be,
Subtler than balm or rosemary,
Come now, and 'neath this orchard bough
Hark to the tranquil sea-wind's sough:
Come now!

More rhythmic when you step than tunes
Wafted o'er waves in summer moons,
Bide here, and in my longing ear
Murmur the words I crave to hear;
Bide here!

Here, in the shadowy sacred place,
Close up your eyes, hide, hide your face,
And, in the windless silence, rest.
Now the cool night falls; dear and blest,
Now sleep, a dim and dreamless sleep,
Whilst I watch over you and keep
Your soul from fears. Now sleep!

Oh! purer than the morning light,
And more beloved than dead of night,
Come soon to set the world in tune
From midnight till the dial marks noon:
From dawn till the world's end. Come soon!
Come soon!