Read "Stars. Ellis Bell" by Charlotte Brontë online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Ah! why, because the dazzling sun / Restored our Earth to joy, / Have you departed, every one, / And left a desert sky?
All through the night, your glorious eyes / Were gazing down in mine, / And, with a full heart's thankful sighs, / I blessed that watch divine.
I was at peace, and drank your beams / As they were life to me; / And revelled in my changeful dreams, / Like petrel on the sea.
Thought followed thought, star followed star, / Through boundless regions, on; / While one sweet influence, near and far, / Thrilled through, and proved us one!
Why did the morning dawn to break / So great, so pure, a spell; / And scorch with fire the tranquil cheek, / Where your cool radiance fell?
Blood-red, he rose, and, arrow-straight, / His fierce beams struck my brow; / The soul of nature sprang, elate, / But mine sank sad and low!
My lids closed down, yet through their veil / I saw him, blazing, still, / And steep in gold the misty dale, / And flash upon the hill.
I turned me to the pillow, then, / To call back night, and see / Your worlds of solemn light, again, / Throb with my heart, and me!
It would not do -- the pillow glowed, / And glowed both roof and floor; / And birds sang loudly in the wood, / And fresh winds shook the door;
The curtains waved, the wakened flies / Were murmuring round my room, / Imprisoned there, till I should rise, / And give them leave to roam.
Oh, stars, and dreams, and gentle night; / Oh, night and stars, return! / And hide me from the hostile light / That does not warm, but burn;
That drains the blood of suffering men; / Drinks tears, instead of dew; / Let me sleep through his blinding reign, / And only wake with you!