Starlight

Last night I lay in an open field         And looked at the stars with lips sealed;         No noise moved the windless air,         And I looked at the stars with steady stare.         There were some that glittered and some that shone         With a soft and equal glow, and one         That queened it over the sprinkled round,         Swaying the host with silent sound.         "Calm things," I thought, "in your cavern blue,         I will learn and hold and master you;         I will yoke and scorn you as I can,         For the pride of my heart is the pride of a man."         Grass to my cheek in the dewy field,         I lay quite still with lips sealed,         And the pride of a man and his rigid gaze         Stalked like swords on heaven's ways.         But through a sudden gate there stole         The Universe and spread in my soul;         Quick went my breath and quick my heart,         And I looked at the stars with lips apart.