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The Fireflies
The Summer's day has reached its close,
The darkness settles round;
The weary mower seeks repose,
And sinks in sleep profound.
The darkness settles round;
The weary mower seeks repose,
And sinks in sleep profound.
But o'er the field of new-mown hay,
Behold a wondrous sight!
Though gone the brightness of the day,
The air is full of light.
Behold a wondrous sight!
Though gone the brightness of the day,
The air is full of light.
Like sparkles, glancing to and fro
Among the new-mown grass,
The fireflies gleam; how strange the show!
As back and forth they pass;
Among the new-mown grass,
The fireflies gleam; how strange the show!
As back and forth they pass;
Each with a lamp, like human kind;
They seek perchance their food;
Or, by its light, each other find,
As suits their varying mood.
They seek perchance their food;
Or, by its light, each other find,
As suits their varying mood.
Or, hiding them from dangerous foe,
They darken now its ray;
That none their secret path may know,
And seize them for their prey.
They darken now its ray;
That none their secret path may know,
And seize them for their prey.
How marvelous the works of God,
His wisdom, skill, and power!
In starry hosts or glittering sod,
In insect, plant, or flower.
His wisdom, skill, and power!
In starry hosts or glittering sod,
In insect, plant, or flower.
432
Oh may I not, whereere I turn,
Careless his works behold;
But from each thing some lesson learn,
Which He to man has told.
Careless his works behold;
But from each thing some lesson learn,
Which He to man has told.
Poem No. 576; c. 19 July 1870
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