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?