The Silken Tassel/The Great Rival
The Great Rival
In the dumb hours of night, when half the earth
Sleeps sound within the moonlight petals soft,
And here and there a waking star aloft
Weaves in her sleep some dreams of mellow mirth;
Sleeps sound within the moonlight petals soft,
And here and there a waking star aloft
Weaves in her sleep some dreams of mellow mirth;
When solemn peace enchains in all its girth
The restless breeze, where plunging meteors oft
Break through their cage and in the neighbouring croft
Seem but to fall and lose their little worth;
The restless breeze, where plunging meteors oft
Break through their cage and in the neighbouring croft
Seem but to fall and lose their little worth;
I lie and breathe alone in swelling thought;
What scorching, clamouring tumult of the day,
And what vast fields of silence now that lie!
What scorching, clamouring tumult of the day,
And what vast fields of silence now that lie!
O God! that man should have such flower begot
From such a bud of peace and beauty, ay,
For Thy great rival, that small copper Pie!
From such a bud of peace and beauty, ay,
For Thy great rival, that small copper Pie!