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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 fol- 
 low'd;
And else, when I carous'd, or when my plans were  
 accomplish'd, still I was not happy;
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of per- 
 fect 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 undress- 
 ing, 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,
  [ begin page 132 ]ppp.00270.134.jpg 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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