I heard the tinkle of the spring, I heard the cattle pass Slow through the dusk, and lingering To crop the wayside grass. 

I heard the cattle pass

To crop the wayside grass.

 O weary world of fret and strife, O noisy years and vain, What have you paid me for my life Since last, along this lane, 

O noisy years and vain,

Since last, along this lane,

 A barefoot boy, I drove the cows In summer twilights still, And paused beneath the orchard boughs To list the whippoorwill? 

In summer twilights still,

To list the whippoorwill?

 Come, peace of God, that passeth all Our understanding's sight: Fall on me with the dews that fall, And with the falling night. 

Our understanding's sight:

And with the falling night.

 Among these native hills and plains, By these baptismal streams, Wash off the city's fever stains, Bring back my boyhood's dreams. 

By these baptismal streams,

Bring back my boyhood's dreams.

 Beside the doors where life began Here let it find its close; And be its brief, remaining span All given to repose. 

Here let it find its close;

All given to repose.

 

 

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