NIGHTFALL.

Soft o'er the meadow, and murmuring mere,

Falleth a shadow, near and more near;

Day like a white dove floats down the sky,

Cometh the night, love, darkness is nigh;

So dies the happiest day.

Slow in thy dark eye riseth a tear,

Hear I thy sad sigh, Sorrow is near;

Hope smiling bright, love, dies on my breast,

As day like a white dove flies down the west;

So dies the happiest day.