IN PRAISE OF POETS

MUSIC

THE HOUSE OF RIMMONA DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS

APPENDIXCARMINA FESTIVA

  SONGS OUT OF DOORS EARLY VERSES

  THE AFTER-ECHO

 How long the echoes love to play Around the shore of silence, as a wave Retreating circles down the sand! One after one, with sweet delay, The mellow sounds that cliff and island gave, Have lingered in the crescent bay, Until, by lightest breezes fanned, They float far off beyond the dying day And leave it still as death. But hark,— Another singing breath Comes from the edge of dark; A note as clear and slow As falls from some enchanted bell, Or spirit, passing from the world below, That whispers back, Farewell.

How long the echoes love to play

Around the shore of silence, as a wave

Retreating circles down the sand!

One after one, with sweet delay,

The mellow sounds that cliff and island gave,

Have lingered in the crescent bay,

Until, by lightest breezes fanned,

They float far off beyond the dying day

And leave it still as death.

But hark,—

Another singing breath

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