University of Virginia Library

AUTUMNAL EVENINGS.

There is a lovely autumn eve, when all the winds are still,
Save a low murmur through the vale and on the woody hill,
When groves are yellow, and the leaves are falling carelessly
Along the road side from the boughs of ash and linden tree,
When stars are few and fleecy clouds are floating through the sky,
On gales unfelt, unheard below, where night's dim shadows lie;
When from the distant lonely wood, the gray owl's whoop is heard,
Where perches o'er the mountain stream that solitary bird;
And in the orchard by the way, with hollow unchanged sound,
The mellow apples, one by one, are dropping to the ground.
O sweetly then the mountain wind skims o'er the rustling corn,
And on the high blue heaven the moon hangs out her yellow horn;
Then pass life's pains and cares away, and pride and flattery's art,
And calm, pure feelings, in that hour slide gently on the heart.
And there's a wilder autumn eve that has a thrilling power,
The blood runs cold and the full heart beats wildly in that hour;
'Tis when the loud winds of the north are shrieking in the sky,
And the dry leaves upon his wings are whirling swiftly by,
When o'er the wide plain, bleak and sere, comes the heath fox's bay,
And 'tis answered by the startled cur that slumbered far away,
When the tall forest on the hill that overlooks the vale
Is bowing to the mighty gust, like reeds in summer's gale.
And the wide heavens are dark with clouds, and twinkling oft between
As they sweep rapidly along, the diamond stars are seen.
O, there's a power that overrules the rushing tempest's might,
And with His kindly presence fills the stillest, calmest night,
Who lifts the curtains of the dawn and gives the noontide birth,
And drops the gentle wing of sleep, upon the weary earth.