32
POEMS.
Beautiful and wondrous
Was that ringing chime,
In the twilight dying,
Falling softly, sighing
To a mystic rhyme.
Was that ringing chime,
In the twilight dying,
Falling softly, sighing
To a mystic rhyme.
All was still around me
By the river dim,
As I stood and listened
By the waves that glistened
Round its utmost rim.
By the river dim,
As I stood and listened
By the waves that glistened
Round its utmost rim.
In the wind's low murmur
Through the leafy trees,
Louder came the measure
Of that tuneful pleasure,
'Cross the sleeping seas!
Through the leafy trees,
Louder came the measure
Of that tuneful pleasure,
'Cross the sleeping seas!
Like a white-winged angel,
Down from starry skies,
Those sweet chimes came o'er me,
Upwards, onward bore me
Through life's mysteries.
Down from starry skies,
Those sweet chimes came o'er me,
Upwards, onward bore me
Through life's mysteries.
All in silver shadows
Lay the waters wide,
Through the meadows gleaming
Fitful rays went streaming
Idly o'er the tide.
Lay the waters wide,
Through the meadows gleaming
Fitful rays went streaming
Idly o'er the tide.
Mingling all in chorus,
Bird and bell and bee,
Bird and bell and bee,