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A Child's Garden of Verses

NIGHT AND DAY.

Reading edition · Edition 5

When the golden day is done, Through the closing portal, Child and garden, flower and sun, Vanish all things mortal. As the blinding shadows fall, As the rays diminish, Under the evening's cloak, they all Roll away and vanish.

Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses

Garden darkened, daisy shut, Child in bed, they slumber— Glow-worm in the highway rut, Mice among the lumber.

Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses

In the darkness houses shine, Parents move with candles; Till on all, the night divine Turns the bedroom handles.

Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses

Till at last the day begins In the east a-breaking, In the hedges and the whins Sleeping birds a-waking. In the darkness shapes of things, Houses, trees, and hedges Clearer grow; and sparrow's wings Beat on window ledges.

Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses

These shall wake the yawning maid; She the door shall open— Finding dew on garden glade And the morning broken. There my garden grows again Green and rosy painted, As at eve behind the pane From my eyes it fainted. Just as it was shut away, Toy-like, in the even, Here I see it glow with day Under glowing heaven. Every path and every plot, Every bush of roses, Every blue forget-me-not Where the dew reposes, "Up!" they cry, "the day is come On the smiling valleys: We have beat the morning drum; Playmate, join your allies!"

Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses
Illustration from A Child's Garden of Verses
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