William Edward Marshall (1859–1923)

IN yonder lovely vale, sweet trysting place

For fairies, nature sleeps in dreamy calm.

A light as gentle as ethereal balm,

In misty rapture plays about her face;

The eager waiting winds forget to sigh,

And from her love-expectant lips inhale

The breath of roses; and the stars grow pale,

As the red-flushing ardent dawn draws nigh,

With softest step, to steal a tender kiss.

The beauty dreamer stirs; the airy way

Is lit with spears of gold, and forward press

In haste the splendid chivalry of day.

With trumpet and with song the echoes ring:

All nature is awake, and greets her King.