SONGS OF THE SWALLOW.
45
When the West is a golden glow, and lower The sun is sinking large and round,Like a golden goblet spilling o'er, Glittering drops that drip to the ground—Then I spread my lustrous wings and cleave the air Sailing high with a motion calm and slow,Far down the green earth lies like a picture fair, Then with rapid wing I sink in the shining glow;A-chasing the glinting, gleaming drops; oh, a diverAm I in a clear and a golden sea, and Summer will last forever.
The leaves with a pleasant rustling sound are stirred Of a night, and the stars are calm and bright:And I know, although I am only a little bird, One large serious star is watching me all the night,For when the dewy leaves are waved by the breeze, I see it forever smiling down on me.So I cover my head with my wing, and sleep in peace, As blessed as ever a little bird can be;And the silver moonlight falls over land and sea and river,And the nights are cool, and the nights are still, and Summer will last forever.
I think you would journey many and many a day, Ere you so contented and blest a bird would see;
