TO MY SISTER.
When evening spreads her shades around,
And darkness fills the arch of heaven;
When not a murmur, not a sound
To Fancy's sportive ear is given;
And darkness fills the arch of heaven;
When not a murmur, not a sound
To Fancy's sportive ear is given;
When the broad orb of heaven is bright,
And looks around with golden eye;
When Nature, softened by her light,
Seems calmly, solemnly to lie;
And looks around with golden eye;
When Nature, softened by her light,
Seems calmly, solemnly to lie;
Then, when our thoughts are raised above
This world, and all this world can give,
O sister, sing the song I love,
And tears of gratitude receive.
This world, and all this world can give,
O sister, sing the song I love,
And tears of gratitude receive.
The song which thrills my bosom's core,
And, hovering, trembles, half afraid;
O sister, sing the song once more
Which ne'er for mortal ear was made.
And, hovering, trembles, half afraid;
O sister, sing the song once more
Which ne'er for mortal ear was made.
'Twere almost sacrilege to sing
Those notes amid the glare of day;
Notes borne by angels' purest wing,
And wafted by their breath away.
Those notes amid the glare of day;
Notes borne by angels' purest wing,
And wafted by their breath away.
