page 28

III

And out of the deepening dark
Of night, above and beyond,
Calm antiphonal stars
Now from on high respond;
And the music of the spheres
Out of the depths and heights
Hails, to vigilant ears,
Flickering human phares;
Greater and lesser lights
All in their measure set,
Proud imperial orbs
Answering by name,
By note in the vast accord;
Stars that moons beget,
Planets of magnitude
Earth’s murmurings amplify;
In fiery celsitude
Suns to sun reply;
Flames to ordered flame,
Lights to stedfast light,
Stars to serene star,
Into the profound, far
Distances of night.