VOICES OF THE NIGHT. PRELUDE. PLEASANT it was, when woods were green, And winds were soft and low, To lie amid some sylvan scene, Where, the long drooping boughs between, Or where the denser grove receives No sunlight from above, Beneath some patriarchal tree I lay upon the ground; With one continuous sound;— The feelings of a dream,- As, when a bell no longer swings, O'er meadow, lake, and stream. And dreams of that which cannot die, Where the sailing clouds went by, Dreams that the soul of youth engage Tales that have the rime of age, And chronicles of eld. And, loving still these quaint old themes, Even in the city's throng I feel the freshness of the streams, That, crossed by shades and sunny gleams, Water the green land of dreams, The holy land of song. Therefore, at Pentecost, which brings The Spring, clothed like a bride, When nestling buds unfold their wings, And bishop's-caps have golden rings, Musing upon many things, I sought the woodlands wide. The green trees whispered low and mild; They were my playmates when a child, Still they looked at me and smiled, And ever whispered, mild and low, Oh, I could not choose but go Into the woodlands hoar; Into the blithe and breathing air, Into the solemn wood, Solemn and silent every where ! Nature with folded hands seemed there, Kneeling at her evening prayer! Like one in prayer I stood. Before me rose an avenue Of tall and sombrous pines ; Abroad their fan-like branches grew, And, where the sunshine darted through, Spread a vapour soft and blue, In long and sloping lines. And, falling on my weary brain, The dreams of youth came back again ; Visions of childhood! Stay, oh, stay! And distant voices seemed to say, Thou art no more a child! The land of Song within thee lies, Its clouds are angels' wings. Learn, that henceforth thy song shall be, There is a forest where the din Sees the heavens all black with sin,— Athwart the swinging branches cast, Then comes the fearful wintry blast ; Our hopes, like withered leaves, fall fast ; Pallid lips say, 'It is past! We can return no more!' Look, then, into thine heart, and write! Yes, into Life's deep stream! |