Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By James HerbertMorse793 Silence
C
Lay thy soft hand on all that stir—
On grass and shrub and tree and flower,
And let this be thine own dear hour.
To that lone cottage on the hill
Shall wonder with her questions go,
Seeking if joy be there or no.
Go seeking grief afar, or near;
Or eye be turned to find a stain
In the dear God’s well-ruled domain.
And lifts an early evening note.
The late bird ventures one last flight
Of song, and nestles for the night.
One spot of blue yet shows the sun;
On that I fix a silent eye:
All earth, all life, all else pass by.