Barrier, The

Paul Laurence Dunbar

The Midnight wooed the Morning Star, 
And prayed her: "Love come nearer; 
Your swinging coldly there afar 
To me but makes you dearer."

The Morning Star was pale with dole 
As said she, low replying: 
"Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, 
For you I too am sighing."

"But One ordained when we were born, 
In spite of love's insistence, 
That night might only view the Morn 
Adoring at a distance."

But as she spoke, the jealous Sun 
Across the heavens panted; 
"Oh, whining fools," he cried, "have done, 
Your wishes shall be granted."

He hurled his flaming lances far; 
The twain stood unaffrighted, 
And Midnight and the Morning Star 
Lay down in death united.

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