Classic Poem

'Twas on a summer evening—when the sun was set in flame,
And the golden hues were fading, and the twilight shadows came,
That I walked with one I loved,—one who felt with me the power
Which o'er the heart comes tenderly in nature's peaceful hour.

By a river-side we walked—'twas a softly flowing stream;
Its murmur like sweet music stealing o'er the sleeper's dream:
Green and mossy were the banks, clustering shrubs and arching trees
Here and there beside the waters, whispered ever to the breeze.

If there are aerial spirits, as 'tis often said in song,
Which love'mid scenes of beauty to keep revel all night long,
Surely there they oft had gathered, on the moonlit grassy bed,
And danced their mystic dance till the morn was blushing red.

As arm in arm we wandered with a quiet step and slow,
And communed in such discourse as kindred spirits only know,
And, in thought, from earthly beauty mounted up to worlds of light
Where beauty is immortal—ever fadeless—ever bright;

There came a plaintive voice thro' the stillness on the ear;
Hark!—how soft and sweet its murmur, it is melody to hear!
We stay our steps and listen—clear on the tranquil air,
Breaks from a leafy covert the holy words of prayer!

'Twas a gentle maiden's voice—from the busy world away,
To this lovely lone retreat, at the hour of dying day,
She hath stolen out unseen, and on faith's bright wing she soars,
Breathing out her soul in worship to the God whom she adores.

We would have bowed in silence, for the place was holy ground;
God's awe was on the spirit, and 'twas heaven all around!
But profane it seemed to hear as that guileless heart aspired,
And we turned our footsteps silently, and from the spot retired.

Perhaps she came there nightly by the kindling stars of even,
To kneel upon that fragrant turf and pray and think of heaven;
She was, doubt not, a sweet sister, bore a faithful daughter's part,
Was in all things like an angel—‘Blessed are the pure in heart.’