Not then, but when the wild South-west

Filled the dim land with its unrest

At twilight, and the woods began{10}

{10}

To talk of things unknown to man,

And on the garden paths we heard

Strange footsteps, but no answering word

Came to our call;—

’twas then the spell

Of mystery about us fell,

The awe that held us half-afraid

To pass beyond our gates, but made

The shelter of our homely bounds

So welcome, and familiar sounds

So sweet; ’twas then before us rose

The vision of ancestral foes,

And in our ears old battle calls

At night around beleaguered walls

Rang; and, though all was safe and still,

Old dangers set our hearts a-thrill,

 Prev. P 11/104 next