Hymn to the Night - A poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Hymn to the Night

I heard the trailing garments of the Night
Sweep through her marble halls!
I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light
From the celestial walls!

I felt her presence, by its spell of might,
Stoop o'er me from above;
The calm, majestic presence of the Night,
As of the one I love.

I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight,
The manifold, soft chimes,
That fill the haunted chambers of the Night
Like some old poet's rhymes.

From the cool cisterns of the midnight air
My spirit drank repose;
The fountain of perpetual peace flows there,--
From those deep cisterns flows.

O holy Night! from thee I learn to bear
What man has borne before!
Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care,
And they complain no more.

Peace!  Peace!  Orestes-like I breathe this prayer!
Descend with broad-winged flight,
The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most fair,
The best-beloved Night!

Added: on May 22nd, 2005 at 9:40 AM | Viewed: 8736 times | Comments and analysis of Hymn to the Night by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Comments (5)

Hymn to the Night - Comments and Information
Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Art) Poem: 2. Hymn to the Night Volume: Voices of the Night Poem of the Day: Jul 21 2000 Comment 5 of 5, added on January 7th, 2006 at 1:11 PM. I have to disagree with Joe. Yes it is true that at this moment in time this poem could represent any peaceful night, but in the 19th century there was really no hustle and bustle of cars and noise. Today this poem could be interpreted differently, but during Longfellows time there had to have been another reason why the night seemed so peaceful. Amber from United States Comment 4 of 5, added on June 30th, 2005 at 1:25 PM. I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THIS POEM HAS TO DO WITH HIS WIFE. ANYONE WHO HAS STOOD OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSE AT MIDNIGHT, WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD IS ASLEEP, CAN SENSE THE PEACE OF THE NIGHT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. NO NOISE, NO TRAFFIC, NO HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE DAY, JUST THE STARS OVERHEAD AND QUIET. JOE from United States Comment 3 of 5, added on May 22nd, 2005 at 9:40 AM. He lost his wife ,but i think his wife like a tender angel always in his life ,in his dream ,in his night. Miguel from China More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Hymn to the Night, has received 5 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Poem: 2. Hymn to the Night Volume: Voices of the Night Last read: Dec 7 2009, 2:46AM Poem of the Day: Jul 21 2000 Viewed 8736 times. Added on May 22nd, 2005 at 9:40 AM.

Longfellow Info
Biography More Poems (136 poems) Books