The sullen austere hills, the humid misty ground

Sad that the spectral lances of the moon

Essayed the glowing firmament so soon.

For when tired Earth the arms of Day is leaving

For those of sterner Night, yet fondly cleaving

Still to Sunshine’s fingers, rose tipped as they lie

Aslant the woods, the valleys, ground and sky,

The heart of man,—in that calm solitude—alone

Sighs for his faded hopes now cold as stone

Weeps for his sins, hoping yet to atone