Classic Poem

Faded fields and a faded sky,
And pointed poplar trees that sigh,
Sway and sigh as the wind sweeps by.

In the gray west a faint gold stain ...
Dusk and the darkness, sisters twain,
Kiss through a silver veil of rain;

Dusk, with wonderful bows of hair
Either side of her face, and fair
Golden eyes like the sunset there ...

Night, whose eyes are the eyes of love,
Flying low like a soft slow dove,
Mists beneath her, and clouds above:...

... O! twilight trance, O deep sweet swoon ...
Vague visions vanishing too soon! ...
... Stars grow thick round the amber moon.

Look yonder! where the sun a fiery shield
Glows red as blood, ... slung low in a clear sky!
Day droops with languid limbs and calm lips sealed

Slumber-ward in the west; and Night leans nigh.
The boat that bears us to the rock-girt shore
Seems scarce to move, she sails so listlessly:

The sunset paves a golden path before,
Behind, — the purple pinions of the night
Winnow the wide sea's emerald tinted floor.

A dusky flock of starlings in their flight
Stand out against the rose-stained heaven, they are
Like leaves uplifted cast athwart the light.

Flushes of lingering colour; from afar
Reflect themselves in the round silver moon,
And in the blue burns flower-like one white star ...

Our Summer day has sped so soon ... so soon! ...
Still, you are near me Dearest, and there lies
All its lost sunshine in your splendid eyes!