Rainbows (Custance)/The Lingering Day
The Lingering Day
Stepping between the sunset's scarlet wings,
The fair Day puts aside her proud disguise:
And from her weary head she backward flings
The hood of sunshine hiding her strange eyes.
And smiling softly at the startled west,
She stands and watches till the splendour dies,
And silver twilight calls the winds to rest,
And silence settles at the heart of things.
The fair Day puts aside her proud disguise:
And from her weary head she backward flings
The hood of sunshine hiding her strange eyes.
And smiling softly at the startled west,
She stands and watches till the splendour dies,
And silver twilight calls the winds to rest,
And silence settles at the heart of things.
But wherefore should you linger, Oh, bright Day,
And watch so wistfully and watch so late?
The sun has gone, and you have cast away
The gifts he gave: the mystic seals of fate,
The sword of storm, the heavy crown of care,
Even, tired queen, your golden robes of state.
Say, is it Night with great stars in his hair,
Or the white maiden moon for whom you wait?
And watch so wistfully and watch so late?
The sun has gone, and you have cast away
The gifts he gave: the mystic seals of fate,
The sword of storm, the heavy crown of care,
Even, tired queen, your golden robes of state.
Say, is it Night with great stars in his hair,
Or the white maiden moon for whom you wait?