Across the hills a tender shadow stole,

Like thought upon the face of one loved well,

And thro' the silence rang some distant bell,

A vague sweet music in its every toll.

Glimmers of sunlight flecked with purple shade

Upon the nearer summits, and the view

Grown dim, unearthly, 'neath the silver-blue

Of incense mist, that rose while nature prayed.

Two stars with tremulous emotion shone

Close side by side, in the encircling dome,

While drifting clouds, their edges soft as foam,

Made couches, which the moon might rest upon.

In thro' the open window came the scent

Of lime trees, in the garden underneath,

And from my cigarette a little wreath

Of memories, to meet their fragrance went.

It was an evening full of bygone things,

That mingled with emotions newly born

As night will ever clasp and kiss the dawn,

And leave those kisses on her ardent wings.