Who is he that swiftly comes
In the lovely silence of night?-
I know him by his sparkling plumes,
That shine in the clear moonlight;
By the scarlet wings of his soaring bird,
And the ceaseless music round him heard.
I know him by his arrows,
And by his blossom'd bow;
By the forms of radiant beauty that bear,
And softly wave in the perfumed air,
His standard to and fro.

Often and long, on the summer sea,
In the moonlight have I watched for thee-
When the glittering beam was downward thrown,
And each wave with a crest of diamond shone.
I have seen the thin clouds sail along,
And I raised, to welcome thee, many a song;

But long have I lingered, and watch'd in vain,
To see the light of the starry train
Sweep in beauty across the sky,
To tones of heavenly harmony.

Now I behold thee! now 'tis the hour-
Yes! thou art come in thy splendour and power!-
But, no! the vision is passing on,
The bright forms vanish one by one-
On the desolate shore I am left alone!
Yet stay! oh, stay!-like lightning they move-
To well, by thy fleetness, I know thou art Love!