New Zealand Verse/Twilight and the Makomako

by Johannes C. Andersen

LXXIV.

Twilight and the Makomako.

Night on the forest is falling,
 Slowly the day leaves the hill,
Birds from the coverts are calling,
 Calling in tinkle and trill:

Medley of harmony ringing,
 Musical, mellow and chiming;
Night-airs a-quiver with singing,—
 Jangle of sweetness and riming!

Twilight is gone from the hill,
 Dark are the woods to the moon;
All the sweet voices are still,
 Darkness has come too soon.—

One lone bird forgets
 That the white moon is climbing;
While over a hill a star sets,
 It is chiming and chiming:—

Bell-birds, softer than bells,
 Bell-bird, ever in tune,
What god in your bosom dwells?—
What passion your bosom swells
 As you chime to the climbing moon?

Johannes C. Andersen.