Charles Heavysege (1816–1876)

THE STARS are glittering in the frosty sky,

Numerous as pebbles on a broad sea-coast;

While o’er the vault the cloud-like galaxy

Has marshalled its innumerable host.

Alive all heaven seems; with wondrous glow

Tenfold refulgent every star appears;

As if some wide, celestial gale did blow,

And thrice illume the ever-kindled spheres.

Orbs, with glad orbs rejoicing, burning, beam,

Ray-crowned, with lambent lustre in their zones;

Till o’er the blue, bespangled spaces seem

Angels and great archangels on their thrones;

A host divine, whose eyes are sparkling gems,

And forms more bright than diamond diadems.