The Barrier

The Midnight wooed the Morning Star, And prayed her: "Love come nearer; Your swinging coldly there afar To me but makes you dearer." The Morning Star was pale with dole As said she, low replying: "Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, For you I too am sighing." "But One ordained when we were born, In spite of love's insistence, That night might only view the Morn Adoring at a distance." But as she spoke, the jealous Sun Across the heavens panted; "Oh, whining fools," he cried, "have done, Your wishes shall be granted." He hurled his flaming lances far; The twain stood unaffrighted, And Midnight and the Morning Star Lay down in death united.