| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | The Celestial Passion | | By Richard Watson Gilder (1844–1909) |
| | | 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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