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When I Heard at the Close of the Day.

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.

WHEN I HEARD AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.

WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been  
 receiv'd with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy  
 night for me that follow'd,
And else when I carous'd, or when my plans were accomplish'd,  
 still I was not happy,
  [ begin page 103 ]ppp.01663.109.jpg But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health,  
 refresh'd, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn,
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in  
 the morning light,
When I wander'd alone over the beach, and undressing bathed,  
 laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend my lover was on his way  
 coming, O then I was happy,
O then each breath tasted sweeter, and all that day my food  
 nourish'd me more, and the beautiful day pass'd well,
And the next came with equal joy, and with the next at evening  
 came my friend,
And that night while all was still I heard the waters roll slowly  
 continually up the shores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands as directed to  
 me whispering to congratulate me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover  
 in the cool night,
In the stillness in the autumn moonbeams his face was inclined  
 toward me,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was  
 happy.

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.

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