Sidney Lanier

Evening Song

Look off, dear Love, across the sallow sands,
   And mark yon meeting of the sun and sea;
How long they kiss in sight of all the lands,
      Ah! longer, longer we.

Now, in the sea's red vintage melts the sun
   As Egypt's pearl dissolved in rosy wine
And Cleopatra night drinks all. 'Tis done,
      Love, lay thine hand in mine.

Come forth, sweet stars, and comfort heaven's heart,
   Glimmer, ye waves, 'round else unlighted sands;
Oh night! divorce our sun and sky apart
      Never our lips, our hands.