132 EVENING THOUGHTS. 



Oil ! should a seraph wing across yon sky, 



Methinks it could not pass the beauteous sight. 



But stay awhile, and gaze with laptur'd eye. 

 Ere it again through Heav'n venew*d its flight. 



But see, the Sun fast sinketh down to rest — 

 The fiery orb from sight hath nearly gone, 



1 1 scarcely peeps above yon cloudy vest ; 

 It now hath sunk, its daily task is done. 



Now all the beauty dies, and night draws on 

 To span the Heaven with sable cloud ; 



The lovely tints are fading one by one. 



And sinking fast beneath night's blacken'd shroud. 



The darkness round me thickens more and more. 

 And twilight enters, clad in spectral hue. 



Across yon dying west its gloom to pour. 

 And shut the gaudy prospect from my view. 



Hark ! Hark ! the sound of yonder village bell. 

 Borne by the zephyrs as they take their flight. 



Now strikes upon the ear with pleasing knell. 

 And heralds forth the fast approaching night. 



And now the evening star resumes her ray. 



Cheering the traveller's homeward-leading trod. 



And night her sable curtain drops, till day 



Shall dawn again o'er earth — the smile of God. 



J. s. 



