A SUNSET

Upon the mountain's edge with light touch resting,

There a brief while the globe of splendour sits

And seems a creature of the earth; but soon

More changeful than the Moon,

To wane fantastic his great orb submits,

Or cone or mow of fire: till sinking slowly

Even to a star at length he lessens wholly.

Abrupt, as Spirits vanish, he is sunk!

A soul-like breeze possesses all the wood.

The boughs, the sprays have stood

As motionless as stands the ancient trunk!

But every leaf through all the forest flutters,

And deep the cavern of the fountain mutters.