Moonlight On the Cove, A Song

            

I

Across the dark and placid stream,

      The silent grove lies sleeping;

Above the gold-tipped hemlock boughs

      The August moon comes creeping.

I see its rays light up the scene,

      I see the waters glisten;

I hear the tuneful whippoorwill,

      And watch and idly listen.

II

My skiff lies swaying with the tide,

      Impatient for its master;

My heart thrills warm with love and hope,

      My pulses beat e’en faster,

And to the shore I wend my way,

Beside the water gleaming;

Where fishes watch the silv’ry moon,

      where lilies closed lie dreaming.

And oh! the joy that fills my soul,

      The moon reflecting river!

I never can forget the scene,

      The glistening water’s quiver.

For youth is strong and full of hope,

      I see my love-light glisten;

I hear the voice of one I love,

      And watch and idly listen.

Jan. 23, ‘94

Pub. in Conn. Valley Ad.

Feb. 24, 1894