The midnight shadows deepen on, the earth is still and lone,
And starry lamps in heaven’s blue hall are fading one by one,
For cold gray clouds wreathe o’er them like a dim and misty veil,
And through their foldings peers the moon—a spirit wan and pale.
As far away the gentle breeze is sighing mournfully
It seems a murmur from the shore of olden memory,
And while its cadence floats afar thy voice I seem to hear—
Like music in some troubled dream it steals upon my ear.
My heart beats faster as the sound fades out upon the night,
And pants to drink again that tone of rapture and delight;