Poems (Davidson)/To my Sister

by Lucretia Maria Davidson

For works with similar titles, see To my Sister.

TO MY SISTER.

When evening spreads her shades around,
 And darkness fills the arch of heaven;
When not a murmur, not a sound
 To Fancy's sportive ear is given;

When the broad orb of heaven is bright,
 And looks around with golden eye;
When Nature, softened by her light,
 Seems calmly, solemnly to lie;

Then, when our thoughts are raised above
 This world, and all this world can give,
O sister, sing the song I love,
 And tears of gratitude receive.

The song which thrills my bosom's core,
 And, hovering, trembles, half afraid;
O sister, sing the song once more
 Which ne'er for mortal ear was made.

'Twere almost sacrilege to sing
 Those notes amid the glare of day;
Notes borne by angels' purest wing,
 And wafted by their breath away.

When sleeping in my grass-grown bed,
 Shouldst thou still linger here above,
Wilt thou not kneel beside my head,
 And, sister, sing the song I love?