Poems (Stephens)/Change (A summer day, how fair it broke)
For works with similar titles, see Change.
CHANGE.
A summer day, how fair it broke,
With ceaseless song, and cloudless skies,
And fragrance wafted on the breeze,
From flowrets of a thousand dyes.
With ceaseless song, and cloudless skies,
And fragrance wafted on the breeze,
From flowrets of a thousand dyes.
And thought was busy everywhere,
Each mortal had a separate plan
Of pleasure, or of good to win,
Or how to spend life's little span.
Each mortal had a separate plan
Of pleasure, or of good to win,
Or how to spend life's little span.
So in a quiet country home
Was heard the voice of childhood sweet,
And hopeful hearts, and loyal ones,
Went forth the ways of life to meet.
Was heard the voice of childhood sweet,
And hopeful hearts, and loyal ones,
Went forth the ways of life to meet.
We know they were in joyful mood,
But what has joy to do with earth?
And theirs were pure and noble souls,
But death spares not for youth or worth.
But what has joy to do with earth?
And theirs were pure and noble souls,
But death spares not for youth or worth.
A moment's agony intense
That every nerve and fibre thrilled—
And they no more may know of earth,
Each throbbing pulse forever stilled.
That every nerve and fibre thrilled—
And they no more may know of earth,
Each throbbing pulse forever stilled.
And soft the evening shadows foll
Across the hill and o'er the plain—
And hushed to silence every song,
But with the dawn they'll rise again.
Across the hill and o'er the plain—
And hushed to silence every song,
But with the dawn they'll rise again.
But desolate that lovely home,
Its light and joy forever fled,
For those who glad went forth at morn,
At night were sleeping with the dead.
Its light and joy forever fled,
For those who glad went forth at morn,
At night were sleeping with the dead.