Poems (Rice)/An Evening in July
AN EVENING IN JULY.
BRIGHT stream! on your soft banks to-night, Moonbeams fall on leaf and bower,—Glimmering stars, with holy light, Melt in your bosom this Eden hour; Fragrant lilies, so white and pure, Springing from depths unseen below,—These quiet scenes my soul allure To realms whence all these blessings flow.
The fire-flies flitting through the air, Like golden butterflies from heaven,—Sky, stream, and earth new glories wear, This beautiful midsummer even. The quivering of the aspen-tree, In clouds of silvery shadow drest,—Gushing thoughts are struggling to be free, And flit away to dream-lands of the blest.