| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 904. The Celestial Passion |
| | | By Richard Watson Gilder |
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| O WHITE and midnight sky! O starry bath! | |
| Wash me in thy pure, heavenly, crystal flood; | |
| Cleanse me, ye stars, from earthly soil and scath; | |
| Let not one taint remain in spirit or blood! | |
| Receive my soul, ye burning, awful deeps; | 5 |
| Touch and baptize me with the mighty power | |
| That in ye thrills, while the dark planet sleeps; | |
| Make me all yours for one blest, secret hour! | |
| O glittering host! O high angelic choir! | |
| Silence each tone that with thy music jars; | 10 |
| Fill me even as an urn with thy white fire | |
| Till all I am is kindred to the stars! | |
| Make me thy child, thou infinite, holy night— | |
| So shall my days be full of heavenly light! | |
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