The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse
Winter NightCharles Heavysege (18161876)
T
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.
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.