(Twilight)

O fair, broad Lake, upon whose breast The shifting shadows rise and fall, Thy surging waters' vague unrest Sinks beneath twilight's gathering pall.

Thy changing beauties quickly glide Successive past th' entrancéd eye, While hills around, in regal pride, Reflected in thy waters lie.

I hear the plash of dipping oar, I see the boats swing on their way; The waves flow on from shore to shore, While softly, slowly dies the day.

And sweetly with the evening's calm Upon my heart there falls a peace, That comes as comes the evening psalm, That bids the world's vain tumult cease.

And as fall swift the shades of night Along the path my feet must tread, Lo! through the clouds a golden light Upon Life's passing scene is shed.

And so, bathed in its softened glow, And tuned to sweetest harmonies Far, far beyond Life's ebb and flow-- The soul, immortal, seeks the skies!