Round us in the stillness spreading,
Comes the night.
Mortal ears can't hear the treading
Of her footsteps, soft and light.
Dusky veil that shades the valleys,
Bringing rest;
Shadowy glooms in greenwood alleys.
Twilight dreamings, sweet and blest.
All the day-time cares are ended,
And instead,
Now by unseen bands attended,
Far, in fancy, we are led.
Misty forms of mystic seeming
Hover near;
Memory's myriad tapers gleaming
Light old scenes and make them clear--
Morn's vain hopes, and noon's stern sorrows,
Tears and cares;
Days of toiling, and to-morrow's
Bringing less of wheat than tares.
And the chequered, varied pages
Of life's book
Seem a sea whose calms and rages
Now the tired heart cannot brook.
Evening calm! ah, best and purest
Time of peace;
Soothing balm, when hope is surest,
To bid all vain doubting cease.
Pointing on, when near the pleasant,
Rest awaits;
When we leave this weary present
And have gained the pearly gates.
And as evening shadows, creeping,
Gather round
Dim eyes, worn so weak with weeping,
Learn to smile as peace is found.
In the hope so full of cheering
And delight--
Home, sweet home! our rest we're nearing!
Evening time shall bring us light.
Light of heaven! Earth's gloom adorning
With thy smile,
Earnest of the eternal morning
After this brief "little while."