A deeper shadow all the valley fills:

The trees are ghostlier in the fields below:

The river runs more darkly through the hills:

Only the Night-bird’s voice the coppice thrills,

Stirring the very leaves into a sense.

A witching stillness holds the breath of things.

Earth has put on her garb of reverence,

As when a nun within a cloister sings

To mourn a passing soul before it wings.

Silent as dew now falls the straight-winged Night.