Evening
Now in the west is spread
A golden bed;
Great purple curtains hang around,
With fiery fringes bound,
And cushions, crimson red,
For Phœbus' lovely head;
And as he sinks through waves of amber light,
Down to the crystal halls of Amphitrite,
Hesper leads forth his starry legions bright
Into the violet fields of air—Good night!
An Evening Song
Good night, love!
May heaven's brightest stars watch over thee!
Good angels spread their wings, and cover thee;
And through the night,
So dark and still,
Spirits of light
Charm thee from ill!
My heart is hovering round thy dwelling-place,
Good night, dear love! God bless thee with His grace!
Good night, love!
Soft lullabies the night-wind sing to thee!
And on its wings sweet odours bring to thee;
And in thy dreaming
May all things dear,
With gentle seeming,
Come smiling near!
My knees are bowed, my hands are clasped in prayer—
Good night, dear love! God keep thee in His care!
Evening By The Seaside
The monsters of the deep do roar,
And their huge manes upon the shore
Plunge headlong, with a thundering sound,
That shakes the hollow-hearted ground:
And yet, amidst this din I hear
Thy gentle voice close at mine ear,
Whispering sweet words of love, that shake
My soul with the soft sound they make.
The cup of Heaven o'erflows with light,
The sea's broad shield is burnished bright,
And the whole earth doth glow and shine
Like a red, radiant, evening shrine.
And in this splendour, all I see
Are thy dear eyes beholding me,
With such a tender, steadfast gaze,
My life seems melting in their rays.
Beside A Well-Reap'D Field At Eventide
Beside a well-reap'd field at Eventide,
One laid him down to rest who'd wandered far,
And fought and wounded been in Life's great war.
'These have done well their work,' he said, and sigh'd,
'But on mine armour blots of earth remain;
Nor blood nor tears of mine have wash'd that stain.'
Then came a voice from heaven's blue depths profound,
Beyond the shining of the evening star,
And breathless awe thrill'd thro' him at the sound,
'I will make clean thine armour once again.'
Then down that weary soul devoutly kneel'd
And lifted from the dust glad tearful eyes,
Sweet sleep fell on him from the solemn skies,
And perfect peace upon the well-reap'd field.
