Yet day dies gladlier when thou art still.

And I, O rare brown thrush! that idly gaze

Far down the valley’s mountain-shadowed ways—

Where bears the stream light burden of the sky,

Where day, like quiet soul, in peace doth die,

Its calm gold broken by no storm-clouds’ blaze—

Hearken, joy-hushed, thy vesper song of praise

That from yon hillside drops, strong carolling,

A living echo thereto answering,

Doubling the sweetness with the glad reply