A PEBFECT DA Y. 213 



the bride ; but I shall not know it, and I shall never 

 again share such hours of peace with the leafy trees. 

 Then, with folded hands upon my quiet breast, my 

 friends will briefly gaze upon my face and I shall be 

 gone. In that last day, so full of deepest interest to 

 me, may my soul be pure. 



Filled with such thoughts, I regret that I cannot ex- 

 press them like the poet, whose name I know not, but 

 whose words I will recall : 



" Good-bye, sweet day, good-bye ! 

 I have so loved thee, but I cannot hold thee ; 

 Departing like a dream the shadows fold thee. 

 Slowly thy perfect beauty fades away ; 

 Good-bye, sweet day. 



" Good-bye, sweet day, good-bye! 

 Dear were the golden hours of tranquil splendor. 

 Sadly thou yieldest to the evening tendef, 

 Who wert so fair from thy first morning ray. 

 Good-bye, sweet day. 



" Good-bye, sweet day, good-bye ! 

 Thy glow and charm, thy smiles and tones and glances 

 Vanish at last and solemn night advances. 

 Ah ! couldst thou yet a little longer stay. 

 Good-bye, sweet day. 



" Good-bye, sweet day, good-bye! 

 All thy rich gifts my grateful heart remembers, 

 The while I watched thy sunset's smouldering embers 

 Die in the west beneath the twilight gray. 

 Good-bye, sweet day." 



