GOOD-NIGHT.

Good-night! a word so often said,

The heedless mind forgets its meaning;

'Tis only when some heart lies dead

On which our own was leaning,

We hear in maddening music roll

That lost 'good-night' along the soul.

'Good-night'--in tones that never die

It peals along the quickening ear;

And tender gales of memory

For ever waft it near,

When stilled the voice--O crush of pain!--

That ne'er shall breathe 'good-night' again.

Good-night! it mocks us from the grave--

It overleaps that strange world's bound

From whence there flows no backward wave--

It calls from out the ground,

On every side, around, above,

'Good-night,' 'good-night,' to life and love!

Good-night! Oh, wherefore fades away

The light that lived in that dear word?

Why follows that good-night no day?

Why are our souls so stirred?

Oh, rather say, dull brain, once more,

'Good-night!'--thy time of toil is o'er!

Good-night!--Now cometh gentle sleep,

And tears that fall like welcome rain.

Good-night!--Oh, holy, blest, and deep,

The rest that follows pain.

How should we reach God's upper light

If life's long day had no 'good-night?'