the Peaceful Night (John Milton)
“But peaceful was the night
Wherein the Prince of light
His reign of peace upon the earth began :
The winds with wonder whist,
Smoothly the waters kist,
Whispering new joys to the mild ocean,
Who now hath quite forgot to rave,
While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.”
“The stars, with deep amaze,
Stand fix’d in steadfast gaze,
Bending one way their precious influence ;
And will not take their flight,
For all the morning light
Of Lucifer, that often warn’d them thence ;
But in their glimmering orbs did glow,
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.”