The Poem
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| It is a beauteous evening, calm and free, The holy time is quiet as a Nun Breathless with adoration; the broad sun Is sinking down in its tranquillity; The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea: Listen! the mighty Being is awake, And doth with his eternal motion make A sound like thunder—everlastingly. Dear Child! dear Girl! that walkest with me here, If thou appear untouched by solemn thought, Thy nature is not therefore less divine: Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year; And worshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine, God being with thee when we know it not. [Contents 1802] [Main Contents] | [1] [2] [3] [4] | [A] [B] | 5 10 |
| 1807 | |
| Air sleeps,—from strife or stir the clouds are free; | 1837 |
| A fairer face of evening cannot be; | 1840 |
Air sleeps,—from strife or stir the clouds are free;
A fairer face of evening cannot be;
The text of 1845 returns to that of 1807.