21. Colby Afternoon

The honeyed breath of meadowsweet

With perfume doth the arbour fill,

Where we wander on happy feet

Beside the rill.

The dappled ground is sunshine-splashed

And carpeted with leaves

That show such gold I have seen flashed

Amongst the sheaves,

And shining in the cushag flower

Besidee the winding way…

Lord, can I keep this lovely hour

For all the day?

The streamlet sings so sweet and clear

That birds have no such song,

And with it sings my dearest dear

All the day long.

Take not the sun for yet a while,

Let him not set too soon;

And when he goes, please send to smile

On us the moon!