A NIGHT IN THE OPEN 131 



everyone and on everything, lighting up the ugliest 

 corners of the earth in an unpoetical glare. 



How different are the stars ! They do not shine 

 on the commonplace, prosaic things of this world, 

 but veil themselves from the glance of the profane, 

 and send their sweet light to charm the devout and 

 thoughtful worshipper at their shrine. Lovingly 

 light and shade are blended, the earth is veiled, and 

 the heavens alone shine forth in purity and beauty. 



One never feels lonely in the night. I love it and 

 feel at home in it. I love it with all my senses 

 with my eyes, which see its beauty ; with my ears, 

 which hear its stillness ; with my heart, which feels its 

 friendliness. But the stars must shine, shine bright 

 and clear, else the night is black and drear as death. 



Thank God, they are shining above me now as 

 they sail about in all their glory on the dark blue 

 ocean ! 



