Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/44

A farewell blessing to the earth,
And foretold to-morrow's birth,
Ere lowlier, on the ocean's breast,
He bows in worship, and to rest
Sinks beyond our vision's quest.
—How calm it is! Earth, sea and air,
Hush with, him in silent prayer!
So awhile,—then clear and strong
A sweet gush of vesper song!
All the heart of music throbbing
In a bird's ecstatic sobbing,
As the purple shadows close
Over amber, over rose,
And a chime from far away
Rings the passing of the day.

—As a lover, tired of roaming,
Who returneth in the gloaming;
Who returneth home at last,
After months and perils past,
As with gentle hand he presses
Back the loved one's silken tresses,
Gazes earnestly a space,
On her dear familiar face,
Reads it fondly o'er and o'er,
And finds it fairer than before.
Nature, thus I gaze on thee,
Gaze on earth and sky and sea,
Gaze and gaze, until my sight
Is tear-clouded by delight,
To pain united, in the stress
Of mystery and loveliness.

W. E. Hunter.