When, on our return-walk, gleam’d golden the west;

On the hill-brow we turn, the white village to view,

Its three modest steeples trac’d clear on the blue;

To the right Brownson’s pond—now we enter the wood:

Its echoes leap out to our frolicsome mood;

The sweet ringing laugh of gay Martha is heard,

And Kate trips along with the grace of a bird;

To the wind’s downy kisses bares Sarah her brow,

And Mary’s black eyes were ne’er brighter than now,

While one, grave and thoughtful, to each proffers aid,⁠—