Dawn Among The Olive Groves

ALONG the hills the olives grow, And almonds bloom in early Spring, And many are the streams that flow, And countless are the birds that sing; The air is cool with distant snow, And musical with bells that ring.

Beneath my feet the road winds down In deepening shadow, far away To where a little peaceful town Lies sleeping by the quiet bay; A distant sail, now white, now brown, Shows phantomlike against the day.

While gradually the Eastern skies Grow flushed and bright, the late stars flee, And eager clouds appear, and rise Above the waves expectantly; Till lo! before my wondering eyes, The great sun steps from out the sea!