Paragon Of Beauty — After Dark Vapours Have Oppressed Our Plains lyrics

Lyrics

After dark vapours have oppressed our plains
For a long dreary season, comes a day
Born of the gentle South, and clears away
From the sick heavens all unseemly stains
The anxious month, relieving from its pains
Takes as a long-lost right the feel of May
The eyelids with the passing coolness play
Like rose leaves with the drip of summer rains
And calmest thoughts come round us — as of leaves
Budding — fruit ripening in stillness — autumn suns
Smiling at eve upon the quiet sheaves —
Sweet Sappho’s cheek — a sleeping infant’s breath —
The gradual sand that through an hour-glass runs —
A woodland rivulet — a Poet’s death