Poems (Bushnell)/Vesper

by Frances Louisa Bushnell

XXIV TWO IN ONE

I.

VESPER

Vanishing sun, delay, delay, Linger a little over the past,Sing, sleepy birds, keep back the day From whiling away so fast.

Vesper bell ringing slow and sweet, Ring me the story of days that die;Soon shalt thou peal more loud and fleet The bliss of a day drawn nigh.

Can there be two hearts in my breast?— One that fast to the old bough clings,One that flies to the new-made nest And folds its fluttering wings?

Could not life stand still where it is? Would that, indeed, I had hearts for two!But O, if I had, they would both be his, So what, my heart, can you do?