Classic Poem

Within the shade by willows made,
In softest summer weather,
We sat beside the rippling tide,
My love and I together.

Through clouds of white with softened light,
The harvest moonbeams shimmered;
And on the stream a silvery beam
With diamond luster glimmered.

The summer breeze, from fragrant trees,
Delicious odors brought us;
While sounds from o'er the farther shore
In blended sweetness sought us.

And so we, too,—as in us grew
The sense of song so gentle,
Attuned our song to Nature's throng
Beneath the evening's mantle.

We talked not much, but the soft touch
Of hands, and eyes soft meeting,
Told more by far than words declare,
As heart to heart gave greeting.

Then, midnight come, we loitered home,
Like brother now and sister
“To cheat surprise and prying eyes,”
Till at the gate I kissed her.