DAY-LILIES.
231
By day or night,
In dark or light,
Thy fragrant shrine shall be the same
These slender tapers lambent still,
Nor blazing sun, nor mildew chill,
Shall quench their alabaster flame.
In dark or light,
Thy fragrant shrine shall be the same
These slender tapers lambent still,
Nor blazing sun, nor mildew chill,
Shall quench their alabaster flame.
A gleam, as of a crystal wand!
And Day peers in with curious face;
The jealous sunshine, stealing round.
Doth warily chase
The cool, dank shadows on the ground;
The cloister-walls no longer stand;
A garish glory fills the space,
And lights the lush grass, loose and long;
And startled by the wild bird's song,
Soft-looted Silence flees apace;
But still serene the lilies shine,
Pure-flamed, before her ruined shrine!
And Day peers in with curious face;
The jealous sunshine, stealing round.
Doth warily chase
The cool, dank shadows on the ground;
The cloister-walls no longer stand;
A garish glory fills the space,
And lights the lush grass, loose and long;
And startled by the wild bird's song,
Soft-looted Silence flees apace;
But still serene the lilies shine,
Pure-flamed, before her ruined shrine!
