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Ghosts of Night

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<h2>THE GHOSTS OF NIGHT.</h2> <div class="stanza"> When we were children, long ago, And crept to bed at close of day, With backward glance and footstep slow, Though all aweary with our play, Do you remember how the room— The little room with window deep— Would fill with shadows and with gloom, And fright us so we could not sleep? </div> <div class="stanza"> For O! the things we see at night— The dragons grim, the goblins tall, And, worst of all, the ghosts in white That range themselves along the wall! </div> <div class="stanza"> We could but cover up our head, And listen to our heart's wild beat— Such dreadful things about our bed, And no protection save a sheet! Then slept, and woke quite unafraid. The sun was shining, and we found Our shadows and our ghosts all laid, Our world a glorious playing-ground. </div> <div class="stanza"> [232] For O! the things we see at night— The dragons grim, the goblins tall, And, worst of all, the ghosts in white That range themselves along the wall! </div> <div class="stanza"> We are but children still, the years Have never taught us to be bold, For mark our trembling and our fears When sometimes, as in days of old, We in the darkness lie awake, And see come stealing to our side A ghostly throng—the grave Mistake, The Failure big, the broken Pride. </div> <div class="stanza"> For O! the things we see at night— The dragons grim, the goblins tall, And, worst of all, the ghosts in white That range themselves along the wall! </div> <div class="stanza"> How close they creep! How big they loom! The Task which waits, the Cares which creep; A child, affrighted in the gloom, We fain would hide our head and weep. When, lo! the coward fear is gone— The golden sunshine fills the air, And God has sent us with the dawn The strength and will to do and dare. </div> <div class="stanza"> [233] For O! the things we see at night— The dragons grim, the goblins tall, And, worst of all, the ghosts in white That range themselves along the wall! </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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