NIGHT

Vesuvius, purple under purple skies

Beyond the purple, still, unrippling sea;

Sheer amber lightning, streaming ceaselessly

From heaven to earth, dazzling bewildered eyes

With all the terror of beauty; thus day dies

That dawned in blue, unclouded innocency;

And thus we look our last on Italy

That soon, obscured by night, behind us lies.

And night descends on us, tempestuous night,

Night, torn with terror, as we sail the deep,

And like a cataract down a mountain-steep

Pours, loud with thunder, that red perilous fire...

Yet shall the dawn, O land of our desire,

Show thee again, re-orient, crowned with light!