176
UNANSWERED
While every gnarled tree joyed to make
A greener garland for its sake.
A greener garland for its sake.
Deep peace was in the summer air,
A peace all nature seemed to share;
Yet even there I could not flee
The shadow of life's mystery!
A peace all nature seemed to share;
Yet even there I could not flee
The shadow of life's mystery!
A farm-house stood beside the way,
Low-roofed and rambling, quaint and gray;
And where the friendly door swung wide
Red roses climbed on either side.
Low-roofed and rambling, quaint and gray;
And where the friendly door swung wide
Red roses climbed on either side.
And thither, down the winding road
Near which the sparkling river flowed,
In groups, in pairs, the neighbors pressed,
Each in his Sunday raiment dressed.
Near which the sparkling river flowed,
In groups, in pairs, the neighbors pressed,
Each in his Sunday raiment dressed.
A sober calm was on each face;
Sweet stillness brooded o'er the place;
Yet something of a festal air
The youths and maidens seemed to wear.
Sweet stillness brooded o'er the place;
Yet something of a festal air
The youths and maidens seemed to wear.
But, as I passed, an idle breeze
Swept through the quivering maple-trees;
Chased by the winds in merry rout,
A fair, light curtain floated out.
Swept through the quivering maple-trees;
Chased by the winds in merry rout,
A fair, light curtain floated out.
And this I saw: .a quiet room
Adorned with flowers of richest bloom—
A lily here, a garland there—
Fragrance and silence everywhere.
Adorned with flowers of richest bloom—
A lily here, a garland there—
Fragrance and silence everywhere.
Then on I rode. But if a bride
Should there her happy blushes hide,
Or if beyond my vision lay
Some pale face shrouded from the day,
Should there her happy blushes hide,
Or if beyond my vision lay
Some pale face shrouded from the day,
