O NIGHT, be long—long as an endless year !
Descend, thick darkness, black and full of fear !
To-night my heart’s desire has been fulfilled—
My love is here at last—a guest concealed !
Dawn, stand behind seven mountains—out of sight,
Lest thou my loved one banish with thy light ;
I would for ever thus in darkness rest
So I might ever clasp him to my breast.
Armenian legends and poems by Zabelle C. Boyajian and Aram Raffi, London & New York, 1916.