the dust and the ecstasy - there goes another Faithful Failure!

From a recent book of verse, where there is more than one such

beautiful and manly poem, I take this memorial piece: it says

better than I can, what I love to think; let it be our parting

word.

"A late lark twitters from the quiet skies;

And from the west,

Where the sun, his day's work ended,

Lingers as in content,

There falls on the old, gray city

An influence luminous and serene,

A shining peace.

"The smoke ascends

In a rosy-and-golden haze. The spires

Shine, and are changed. In the valley

Shadows rise. The lark sings on. The sun,

Closing his benediction,

Sinks, and the darkening air

Thrills with a sense of the triumphing night -

Night, with her train of stars

And her great gift of sleep.

"So be my passing!

My task accomplished and the long day done,

My wages taken, and in my heart

Some late lark singing,

Let me be gathered to the quiet west,

The sundown splendid and serene,

Death."

[1888.]

<<BackPagesTo menu