Poems (Dodd)/Twilight
For works with similar titles, see Twilight.
TWILIGHT.
The sunset hues are fading fast, From the fair western sky away,And floating clouds which gathered round, Have vanished with their colors gay.
All save one streak that lingers there, Retaining still a rosy hue,Bright at the verge, but pale above, Soft blending with celestial blue.
So lovely were those brilliant clouds, Which floated in the evening air,I almost thought that angel forms, Such fabrics for their robes might wear,
But like the dreams which fancy weaves, Their beauty quickly passed away,And where their gorgeous tints were seen, Soft twilight reigns with shadows gray.
One star, one bright and quiet star, Hangs out its steady light above,Over the hushed and resting earth Still watching like the eye of love.
The birds that woke such joyous strains, With folded pinions seek repose,All save the minstrel sad who sings, His plaintive love-lay to the rose.
The weary bees have reached the hive Rejoicing over labor done,And blossoms close their fragrant cups, Which opened to the morning sun.
The winds are hushed, that music made The leafy-laden boughs between,And scarce the lightest zephyr's breath Now dallies with the foliage green.
This is the hour so loved by all Whose thoughts are lingering with the past,For scenes and forms to memory dear, Gather around us dim and fast.
Childhood's bright hours, youth's short romance, And manhood's dreams of power and fame,Again come back to cheat the heart, So changed by time, yet still the same.
The mingling tones of voices gone, Are breathing round us sweet and low,And eyes are beaming once again, That smiled upon us long ago.
We gaze upon those loving orbs, Which never coldly turn away;We clasp the hand, and press the lip, Of forms that but in memory stay.
We feel the influence of a spell, And wake to smiles, or melt to tears,As pass before the dreaming eye, The light and shade of other years.
O, pleasant is the dewy morn! And golden noon is fair to see;But sweeter far the closing day; Dearer the twilight hour to me.