Alone

Alone, alone! - the night is very silent,         Voiceless the stars are, and the pallid moon     Through the unknown sends down no tone, no utt'rance         To break the hush of midnight's solemn noon!     I stretch my arms toward the unanswering heavens,         'Tis empty space, - no form, no shape is here!     I call, - no answer to my cry is given,         Powerless my voice falls on Night's leaden ear!     Alone, alone! - I thought the dead were near me, -         The holy dead.    E'en now, methought I heard     Low tones whose music long ago did cheer me,         That shadowy hands the parting branches stirred     'Twas but the night wind's mournful sigh above me, -         'Twas but the lonely streamlet's grieving tone,     No voice comes back from those who once did love me, -         No white hand beckons - I am all alone!     Alone? - not so! One sacred, unseen Presence         Fills the far depths, broods round me and above,     Enfolding all in His own Omnipresence,         Pervading all with His unstinted love,     In Him I live, and move, and have my being,         My soul's deep yearnings all to Him are known,     On me in kindness rests His eye all seeing,         His arm upholds me, - I am not alone!