THE balmy evening air stole in To a twilight-glimmering room, There sat three fair young maidens In girlhood's early bloom. And I was with them too, for well I loved with them to be, For light and merry were their words, Their laugh so glad and free. But then was no gay mirth, they sat So still, so thoughtfully, I scarce could think they were the same That laughed so merrily. One, dusky-haired, with deep grey eyes, But not with wonted look Half proud half glad, in silver tones Read from the holy book. Her sisters listened to her voice, The one with golden hair, And brightly tinted cheek and lip As only youth can wear; And one with paler blush-rose hue And hair of deepest brown, With half-formed smile and look oft worn, Her dreamy eyes cast down. They closed the sacred page, they knelt And breathed the old Church-prayer:-- 'Twas a scene to paint, the twilight room, And they so young and fair. And methought perhaps the angels Who keep kind watch o'er men, And oft must weep their stubborn hearts, Might smile with pleasure then. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FISH-LEAP FALL by ROBERT FROST A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER by JOHN DONNE THE DESERTED HOUSE by ALFRED TENNYSON THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 3. THE GRAVE BY THE LAKE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BUTTERFLY (2) by HILDA CONKLING POSTHUMOUS TALES: TALE 1. SILFORD HALL; OR, THE HAPPY DAY by GEORGE CRABBE |