Could see my own phantom flicker and pass,—

And Aunt Bridget's shadow mov'd solemnly by,

Over the canvas that hangs by the glass!

Oh, how could we help it?—we laugh'd aloud

(Birds never cease their sweet voices in spring;

And I think in youth little laughters crowd

And spring to our lips at everything!)

[pg 21]

In laughter we lost all sense of surprise;

It seem'd only natural we should meet;

And a star shot flaming across the skies,

And a little glow-worm gleam'd at my feet.

And a distant bell swung its solemn chime,

That seem'd to me like the voice of a star;

And I think, through a century of time,

I shall always believe that such things are.

And then—it was then—he spoke, and I heard;

And the moon rose up, and the stars grew dim,

And all of a sudden the nightingale-bird

Triumphantly chanted her jubilant hymn.

 Prev. P 17/110 next