The Watcher on the Tower

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I
The Voice of a Man

WHAT of the Night, O Watcher? 

The Voice of a Woman

  Yea, what of it? 

The Watcher

A star has risen; and a wind blows strong. 

Voice of the Man

The Night is dark. 

The Watcher

But God is there above it. 

Voice of the Woman

The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long. 

II
Voice of the Man

What of the Night, O Watcher? 

Voice of the Woman

  Night of sorrow! 

The Watcher

Out of the East there comes a sound, like song. 

Voice of the Man

The Night is dark. 

The Watcher

Have courage! There’s To-morrow! 

Voice of the Woman

The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long. 

III
Voice of the Man

What of the Night, O Watcher? 

Voice of the Woman

  Is it other? 

The Watcher

I see a gleam; a thorn of light; a thong. 

Voice of the Man

The Night is dark. 

The Watcher

  The Morning comes, my Brother. 

Voice of the Woman

The Night is dark; the Night is dark and long. 

IV
Voice of the Man

What now, what now, O Watcher? 

The Watcher

  Red as slaughter 
The Darkness dies. The Light comes swift and strong. 

Voice of the Man

The Night was long.—What sayest thou, my Daughter? 

Voice of the Woman

The Night was dark; the Night was dark and long.

© Madison Julius Cawein