Day and Night

DAY goeth bold in cloth of gold,
   A royal bridegroom he;
But Night in jewelled purple walks—
   A Queen of Mystery.
Day filleth up his loving-cup
   With vintage golden-clear;
But Night her ebon chalice crowns
   With wine as pale as Fear.

Day drinks to Life, to ruddy Life,
   And holds a kingly feast.
Night drinks to Death; and while she drinks—
   Day rises in the East!

They may not meet; they may not greet;
   Each keeps a separate way:
Day knoweth not the stars of Night,
   Nor Night the Star of Day.

So runs the reign of Other Twain.
   Behold! the Preacher saith
Death knoweth not the Light of Life,
   Nor Life the Light of Death!