Sonnet: "O night o silent night..."

O night o silent night how sweet thy boon

That gilds so tremblingly the skyes blue vest
In its unclouded charms—the silver moon
Fair as a jewel on a virgins breast
O happiest light by lovers ever blest
How much the maiden joys thy face to see
When meeting him where all her wishes rest
She wanders tremblingly oft blessing thee

The shepherd from his folding task set free
Speaks in thy praise & welcomes thy sweet light
To find the cot where all his hopes may be
There resting rapturd on some maidens charms
Blessing the while the dingy stair of night
Left undetected in his maggys arms

The Early Poems of John Clare 1804-1822

ed. Eric Robinson, David Powell and Margaret Grainger

(Oxford, 2 volumes, I-II, 1989)