On silver nights I cannot sleep;--
The ancient moon from far above,
Bids me arise, and run and keep
A rendezvous with one I love.
And in my heart a little song
Swings to and fro its clear refrain,
While down the stairs I haste along
As though the past were mine again.
Then is my spirit so beguiled
By all the night's white witchery,
That I am kin to all things wild,
And part of all things that are free!--
Then he comes back,--who long ago
Left these green paths his steps had trod;
Yes--he comes back,--I know!--I know!--
Light-footed from the fields of God.
So through the garden and the lane,
And where the lovely grass is deep,
We two go walking once again,--
On silver nights, that banish sleep.