I

The rhododendrons bloom and shake Their petals wide and gleam and sway Among palmettoes, by the lake, Beyond the bay.

Shores where we watched the eve reveal Her cloudy sanctuaries, while The bay lay lavaed into steel For mile on mile.

We watched the purple coast confuse Soft outlines with the graying light; And towards the gulf a vessel lose Itself in night.

We saw the sea-gulls dip and soar; The wild-fowl gather past the pier; And from rich skies, as from God’s door, Gold far and near.

Two foreign seamen passed and we Heard mellow Spanish; like twin stars, Where they lounged smoking, we could see Their faint cigars.

Night; and the heavens stained and strewn With stars the waters idealized, Until their light the rising moon Epitomized.

Morn; and the pine-wood balms awake; Winds roll the dew-drop from the rose; The wide lake burns; and, on the lake, The ripple glows.

Far coasts detach deep purple from The blue horizon, and the day Beholds the sunburnt sailor come And sail away.

The bird that slept at dusk, at dawn Awakes again within the thorn.-- Sweet was the night to it, now gone; And sweet is morn.