Poems (Davidson)/To my Sister
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?