XI - THE MAKER RESTS

I have worked too long and my hands are tired,

Said the maker;

From the earliest dawn unto deepest nightfall

Have I laboured.

From the earliest dawn before any spirit

Stirred from sleeping,

When no single note from the frozen forest

Wakened music,

Unto nightfall and the new moon rising

When the silence

From the valleys rose in a faint blue spiral,

Have I laboured.

I created dawn and the new moon rising

Out of silence;

I have worked too long and my hands are tired,

Said the maker.

I shall fold my hands; I shall rest till sunrise,

Said the maker;

In the shade of hills and the calm of starlight

Shall I slumber.

O my night is sweet with a distant music!

I shall hear

The responding waves and the wind's slight murmur

While I slumber.

O my night is fair with amazing colour!

I shall dream

Of the blue-white stars and the glimmering forest

While I slumber.

O my night is rich with unfolding flowers!

I shall breathe

All the scattered smells of the field and garden

While I slumber...

I will rise, O Night, I will make new beauty,

Said the maker,

I will make more songs, more stars, more flowers,

Said the Lord.