WINTER SUNSET

Athwart the blackening bars of pines benighted,

The sun, descending to the zones of denser

Cloud that o'erhung the long horizon, lighted

Upon the crown of earth a flaming censer

From which white clouds of incense, overflowing,

Filled the chill clarity from whence the swallows

Had lately fled with wreathed vapours, showing

Like a fine bloom over the lonely fallows:

Where, with the pungent breath of mist was blended

A faint aroma of pine-needles sodden

By autumn rains, and fainter still, ascended

Beneath high woods the scent of leaves downtrodden.

It was a moment when the earth, that sickened

For Spring, as lover when the beloved lingers,

Lay breathless, while the distant goddess quickened

Some southern hill-side with her glowing fingers:

And so, it seemed, the drowsy lands were shaken,

Stirred in their sleep, and sighed, as though the pain

Of a strange dream had bidden them awaken

To frozen days and bitter nights again.