 | Words for the hour |  |
59
THE PARK.
When the earliest star of evening breaks the gloom of twilight skies,
And to meet its fresh effulgence, we lift up day-wearied eyes,
Eyes on which Life hangs its burthen, Sleep can loose as well as Death,
Then a spirit, passing near me, pauses, breathing gentle breath.
And to meet its fresh effulgence, we lift up day-wearied eyes,
Eyes on which Life hangs its burthen, Sleep can loose as well as Death,
Then a spirit, passing near me, pauses, breathing gentle breath.
Come thou where the giant shadows shall enclose thee with their arms,
Where the silence shields from sinful thoughts as angels guard from harms;
Not with laughter and companions, flaunting in the light of Day,
Come, a vesper Nun at even, to remember and to pray.
Where the silence shields from sinful thoughts as angels guard from harms;
Not with laughter and companions, flaunting in the light of Day,
Come, a vesper Nun at even, to remember and to pray.
60
Come with hands clasped full of meekness, let thy stately robings fall
Till the dust of grief besmirch them, wear Love's cypress, bear his pall;
Bring thy perfumes—let them mingle with the costly gift of tears,
They should solemnize a sorrow that makes poor the coming years.
Till the dust of grief besmirch them, wear Love's cypress, bear his pall;
Bring thy perfumes—let them mingle with the costly gift of tears,
They should solemnize a sorrow that makes poor the coming years.
Here where, broidered like a blazon on the scutcheon of a shrine,
Gainst the fading sky so pearly, sable shows the tapering pine,
Here where dies the wind the softest, like hushed pinions of a dove,
I will fold thee, oh belovéd! in the fervor of my love.
Gainst the fading sky so pearly, sable shows the tapering pine,
Here where dies the wind the softest, like hushed pinions of a dove,
I will fold thee, oh belovéd! in the fervor of my love.
I will lead thee where we wandered, in the time long fled away,
Thou shalt rest where we were wont to shield us from the summer day;
It was gorgeous in its beauty, but a joyaunce more divine
Filled the heart of one whose fingers bore the tendril clasp of thine.
Thou shalt rest where we were wont to shield us from the summer day;
It was gorgeous in its beauty, but a joyaunce more divine
Filled the heart of one whose fingers bore the tendril clasp of thine.
61
Leave thy tremblings, leave thy doubtings, let thy sins stand out of sight;
They are quick enough to seize thee—Law and Conscience claim their right;
Rest one moment from the summing thy offences and thy meed,
Leave the weary task to Love whose grace is wider than thy need.
They are quick enough to seize thee—Law and Conscience claim their right;
Rest one moment from the summing thy offences and thy meed,
Leave the weary task to Love whose grace is wider than thy need.
Gather tender thoughts about thee, gather holy hope and power,
Call the names of all thy dear ones, let them keep with thee this hour,
Hold the shadows of thy children in thine arms and on thy knee,
With the rapture, dear and costly, that attends Nativity.
Call the names of all thy dear ones, let them keep with thee this hour,
Hold the shadows of thy children in thine arms and on thy knee,
With the rapture, dear and costly, that attends Nativity.
Soft, the angels close around thee—so, thou walkest dream-pursued,
Golden cords of help unwinding, in the circling solitude,
Seest stars immortal kindling from the failing suns that set,
And believest, though thy friend is gone, his love surrounds thee yet.
Golden cords of help unwinding, in the circling solitude,
Seest stars immortal kindling from the failing suns that set,
And believest, though thy friend is gone, his love surrounds thee yet.
62
Passing hence, thou envyest nought of theirs that rule this fair domain,
Since treasures that are hid to them, to thee unlock again;
Joy of dear and duteous mourning, joy of vagueness and of gloom,
Joy of Friendship that deserved to leave no fellow in its room.
Since treasures that are hid to them, to thee unlock again;
Joy of dear and duteous mourning, joy of vagueness and of gloom,
Joy of Friendship that deserved to leave no fellow in its room.
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