The Poetical Works of William Motherwell/The Voice of Love
The Voice of Love.
When shadows o'er the landscape creep,
And twinkling stars pale vigils keep;
When flower-cups all with dew-drops gleam
And moonshine floweth like a stream;
Then is the hour
That hearts which love no longer dream,—
Then is the hour
That the voice of love is a spell of power!
When shamefaced moonbeams kiss the lake,
And amorous leaves sweet music wake;
When slumber steals o'er every eye,
And Dian's self shines drowsily;
Then is the hour
That hearts which love with rapture sigh,—
Then is the hour
That the voice of love is a spell of power!
When surly mastiffs stint their howl,
And swathed in moonshine nods the owl;
When cottage-hearths are glimmering low,
And warder cocks forget to crow;
Then is the hour
That hearts feel passion's overflow,—
Then is the hour
That the voice of love is a spell of power!
When stilly night seems earth's vast grave,
Nor murmur comes from wood or wave;
When land and sea, in wedlock bound
By silence, sleep in bliss profound;
Then is the hour
That hearts like living well-springs sound,—
Then is the hour
That the voice of love is a spell of power!