HOURS IN AUGUST.
———
BY MRS. J. H. THOMAS.
———
Softly as the star-beam slideth
From its halls of blue;
Gently—gently as it glideth
Lily bells into—
And, with kisses unimpassioned,
Greets the vestal dew—
Falls this mellow August sunlight,
Darling! upon you.
Warmly through the bending branches,—
Through the slumbrous air—
Like a thought of joy it glances
On thy forehead fair;
Softly wreathing o’er the midnight
Of thy shining hair,
Till the gleam of starry pinions
Seems to linger there.
Sweetest eyes of softened splendor
On me faintly beam;
Lips most proud, and yet most tender,
Move as in a dream;
While our boat beneath the willows
Sleeps upon the stream—
Moveless, save its idle rocking
In the golden gleam.
Hours of faint and drowsy sweetness
’Mid the silence go—
Idle hours, that care or fleetness
Scarcely seem to know;—
Lightly rest! nor dream thou, darling,
Of time’s onward flow,
Till, upon yon wall of sapphire,
Sunset banners glow.
Then, from out the brooding silence,
Softly will we glide
Past the myriad happy islands
Sleeping on the tide;
Home with joy! though hours as golden
Long must be denied,
Clasping thus their haunting sweetness
Naught we’ll ask beside.