The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 2.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

Beneath, lake, wood, and peopled vale,
     Hushed by that presence grand and grave,
Are silent, save the cricket's wail,
     And low response of leaf and wave.

Fair scenes! whereto the Day and Night
     Make rival love, I leave ye soon,
What time before the eastern light
     The pale ghost of the setting moon

Shall hide behind yon rocky spines,
     And the young archer, Morn, shall break
His arrows on the mountain pines,
     And, golden-sandalled, walk the lake!

Farewell! around this smiling bay
     Gay-hearted Health, and Life in bloom,
With lighter steps than mine, may stray
     In radiant summers yet to come.

But none shall more regretful leave
     These waters and these hills than I:
Or, distant, fonder dream how eve
     Or dawn is painting wave and sky;

How rising moons shine sad and mild
     On wooded isle and silvering bay;
Or setting suns beyond the piled
     And purple mountains lead the day;