Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/The Sunset
THE SUNSET
Slowly the mighty sun with 'fulgent rayGoes sliding down into the crimson west,Leaving the embers of the dying day Still burning where the ragged cloud-rifts rest;Pauseth a moment on the mountain's line, Staining its verdure like a warrior's breast,Then sinks from sight, and mellow after-shine Fringes with gold the crimson snow clouds' crest.Now fades the gorgeous glory of the sky And deep cool shadows steal o'er vale and hill, Even the trembling aspen's leaf is still And nothing stirs the quiet of the nightSave when the marsh-frog pipes his shrilly cry, Or some lone night-bird wings his whirring flight.