Poems (Chilton, 1885)/To--("Softly Fades the Golden Sunlight")
TO ———
Softly fades the golden sunlight From the valley and the hill;Softly dies the wind of Summer— All the leaves are still;And the dusky twilight, floating From the sunset's purple bars,Sows the boundless field of heaven Thick with golden stars.
Thus, whene'er I leave thee, dearest, Fades from me the joyous lightThat, when in thy charmed presence, Makes my soul so bright.Thus, too, mem'ry, like the twilight, Brings a holy calm to me,Sowing o'er my spirit's darkness Star-bright thoughts of thee.