A Lamp to Light the Way

Poems by Emily Bronte and Christina Rossetti

The Visionary — Emily Brontë

Silent is the house: all are laid asleep:

One alone looks out o’er the snow-wreaths deep,

Watching every cloud, dreading every breeze

That whirls the wildering drift, and bends the groaning trees.

Cheerful is the hearth, soft the matted floor;

Not one shivering gust creeps through pane or door;

The little lamp burns straight, its rays shoot strong and far:

I trim it well, to be the wanderer’s guiding-star.

Frown, my haughty sire! chide, my angry dame!

Set your slaves to spy; threaten me with shame:

But neither sire nor dame nor prying serf shall know,

What angel nightly tracks that waste of frozen snow.

What I love shall come like visitant of air,

Safe in secret power from lurking human snare;

What loves me, no word of mine shall e’er betray,

Though for faith unstained my life must forfeit pay.

Burn, then, little lamp; glimmer straight and clear—

Hush! a rustling wing stirs, methinks, the air:

He for whom I wait, thus ever comes to me;

Strange Power! I trust thy might; trust thou my constancy.

By Lamp Light (1890) - Harriet Backer

A Hope Carol — Christina Rossetti

A night was near, a day was near;

Between a day and night

I heard sweet voices calling clear, Calling me:

I heard a whirr of wing on wing,

But could not see the sight;

I long to see my birds that sing—

I long to see.

Below the stars, beyond the moon,

Between the night and day,

I heard a rising falling tune Calling me:

I long to see the pipes and strings

Whereon such minstrels play;

I long to see each face that sings—

I long to see.

To-day or may be not to-day,

To-night or not to-night;

All voices that command or pray, Calling me,

Shall kindle in my soul such fire,

And in my eyes such light,

That I shall see that heart’s desire

I long to see.