" Proudly the sun has sunk to rest
" Behind yon dim & distant hill
" The busy noise of day has ceas't
" A holy calm the air doth fill

" That softning haze which veils the light
" Of sunset in the gorgeous sky
" Is Dusk, grey harbinger of Night
" Now gliding onward silently

" No sound rings through the solemn vale
" Save murmurs of those tall dark trees
" Who raise eternally their wail
" Bending beneath the twilight breeze

" And my harp peals the woods among
" When Vesper lifts it's quiet eye
" Comingling with each night birds song
" That chants its vigils pensively

" And here I sit until nights noon
" Hath gemed the heavens with many a star
" And sing beneath the wandring moon
" Who comes high journeying from afar

" O sweet to me is that still hour
" When frown the shades of night around
" Deep'ning the gloom of forest bower
" Filling the air with awe profound

" I hush my harp and hush my song
" Low kneeling 'neath the lofty sky
" I heark the nightingale prolong
" Her strain of wondrous melody

" Forth gushing like a mountain rill
" So rich so deep so clear & free
" She pours it forth o'er dale & hill
" O'er rock, and river, lake and tree.

" Till morn comes, & with rosy hand
" Unbars the golden gates of day
" Then as at touch of magic wand
" The earth is clad in fair array

" Then from its couch the skylark springs
" The trembling drops of glittering dew
" Are scattered as with vigorous wings
" It mounts the glorious arch of blue