A soft wave, from the earth’s warm breast,

Stirs in the pines and sinks to rest.

Far off a straying lambkin bleats,

Which pitying Echo soft repeats;

Anear the querulous, strident cries

That tell of insect lullabies.

Then long, grey shadows take command

And beckon with mysterious hand

Till falls a deep, expectant hush,

And then—the song of a single thrush.