Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Russia: Vol. XX. 1876–79.
A Country Church
By James Gates Percival (17951856)N
Deep in a river-vale, by meadow green,
Embowered in beech, a lonely church is seen,
Like timid fawn in dewy thicket hiding.
Above its roof a German crosslet, shining,
Points to the pious serf his heavenward way;
Around it spreads, bestrewn with blossoms gay,
The field, where wearied hearts are safe reclining.
O’er swelling graves, the bounding rabbit plays;
All breathes of peace and gentleness around;
Light steals the maiden by; subdued each sound;
Even fainter glances there the evening blaze;
There, nestling side by side, at twilight’s close
Soft coo the billing doves, and then repose.