Summer eve to earth descended
Quietly on wings descending;
Bringing gifts to every creature:
Sleep to people, dew to flowers,
And the birds, nest's warmth and comfort.
In the Johannite refect'ry
Night had hung its lengthy shadows,
In the gilded candle-holders
Slowly died the smould'ring candles.
Sad and silent is the chamber
With its floor of mosaic patterns.
On the wall and 'tween the windows
In the circular recesses,
Antique statuettes are standing,
Images of past grand masters,
From the order's first beginning.
In the still, nocturnal twilight,
Ghostly seem the shining mantles,
Long, black mantles with white crosses.
Soon the full moon rose in glory,
Glanced through windows into chamber,
55
