Day and Night (Lyrics of Labour and Romance)
The poem explores the contrast between day and night, using them as metaphors for the opposing forces of labor and romance. Day represents the practical, hardworking aspects of life, while Night symbolizes the emotional, imaginative side. The speaker describes how Day brings light to the world, allowing people to work and be productive, but also bringing fatigue and exhaustion. In contrast, Night brings rest and rejuvenation, but also darkness and uncertainty. The poem suggests that both day and night are necessary for a balanced life, and that one cannot exist without the other. The speaker argues that labor and romance are intertwined, and that each is essential to the other's existence. Ultimately, the poem presents a nuanced view of the world, highlighting the interconnectedness of opposing forces and the importance of finding balance between them.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Philosophical · 284 words
First lines
_How long is the night, brother, And how long is the day? _ Oh, the day's too short for a happy task, And the day's too short for play; And the night's too short for the bliss of love, For look, how the edge of the sky grows gray, While the stars die out in the blue above, And the wan moon fades away.
_How short is the day, brother, And how short is the night? _ Oh, the day's too long for a heavy task, And long, long, long is the night, When the wakeful hours are filled with pain, And the sad heart waits for the thing it fears, And sighs for the dawn to come again, -- The night is a thousand years!
What this Textopian page supports
Day and Night (Lyrics of Labour and Romance) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Philosophical, Labor
- Length: 284 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Romance — Themes of love and emotional connection are central to the text, as indicated by references to the bliss of love and the heart's desires.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential questions about the nature of time and life, reflecting on their subjective experiences.
- Labor — The work contrasts the experiences of labor and leisure, highlighting the impact of work on the perception of time.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Labor · Social Commentary · Philosophy · Existentialism · Nature · Seasonal · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory