Sweetly gleaming from on high.
Night-winds o’er the dewy verdure
An Æolian music made,
Where a band of watchful shepherds
Lay beneath a palm tree’s shade.
They, on sacred themes conversing,
Peacefully beguiled the hours;
Thought on each prophetic promise,
Calmly dwelt as dew on flowers.
They were men devout and holy,