SUNSET.
The sun sinks broadly in the west;
And fainter as his radiance glows,
Scarce heeded falls o’er nature’s breast
The languor of a soft repose.
Each breeze is hushed—each leaf is still—
The wild bird pours his song no more;
And gliding round yon graceful hill,
The meek stream laves the silent shore.
Oh—vain as fair—thou fleeting light!
Who now may in thy charms confide?
So shine earth’s pageants, false and bright,
And pass like sails on ocean’s tide.
In swift succession onward go
To live and fail—day after day;
Thus human joys deceitful glow,
And fade like waning light away.
I’ve wandered oft amid these bowers,
And heard sweet notes from every bough;
And quaffed their fragrance from the flowers,
Where all is sad and silent now.
But these in ruddy morning’s smile
Shall live and bloom as bright again;—
I, constant in my grief the while,
In gloom unchanged alone remain.