After an Interval

(November 22, 1875, Midnight—Saturn and Mars in Conjunction)

AFTER an interval, reading, here in the midnight,
With the great stars looking on—all the stars of Orion looking,
And the silent Pleiades—and the duo looking of Saturn and ruddy Mars;
Pondering, reading my own songs, after a long interval, (sorrow and death familiar now)
Ere closing the book, what pride! what joy! to find them  
Standing so well the test of death and night,
And the duo of Saturn and Mars!