Venus. A Reply To Longfellow's Poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper

Thou lover of the blaze of Mars,
Come out with me to-night,
For I have found among the stars
A name of nobler light.

Thy boast is of the unconquer'd Mind,
The strong, the stern, the still;
Mine of the happier Heart, resign'd
To Wisdom's holy will.

They call my star by Beauty's name,
The gentle Queen of Love;
And look! how fair its tender flame
Is flickering above:

O star of peace, O torch of hope,
I hail thy precious ray
A diamond on the ebon cope
To shine the dark away!

Within my heart there is no light
But cometh from above,
I give the first watch of the night
To the sweet planet, Love:

The star of Charity and Truth,
Of cheerful thoughts and sage,
The lamp to guide my steps in youth
And gladden mine old age!

O brother, yield! thy fiery Mars
For all his mailed might
Is not so strong among the stars
As mine, the Queen of night:

A queen to shine all nights away,
And make the morn more clear,
Contentment gilding every day,-
-There is no twilight here!

Yes; in a trial world like this
Where all that comes - is sent,
Learn how divine a thing it is
To smile and be content!