The Dawning of the Day

'TWAS a balmy summer morning,
Warm and early,

Such as only June bestows;
Everywhere the earth adorning
Dews lay pearly

In the lily-bell and rose.
Up from each green-leafy bosk and hollow

Kose the blackbird's pleasant lay.
And the soft cuckoo was sure to follow.

'Twas the Dawning of the Day!

Through the perfumed air the golden

Bees flew round me;
Bright fish dazzled from the sea,
'Till medreamt some fairy olden —
World spell bound me

In a trance of witcherie.

Steeds pranced round anon with stateliest housings
Bearing riders prankt in rich array,

Like Hushed revellers after wine-carousings.
'Twas the Dawning of the Day!

Then a strain of song was chanted,

And the lightly-
Floating sea-nymphs drew anear.

Then again the shore seemed haunted

By hosts brightly
Clad, and wielding shield and spear!

Then came battle shouts — an onward rushing —
Swords, and chariots, and a phantom fray.

Then all vanished; the warm skies were blushing
In the Dawning of the Day!

Cities girt with glorious gardens,
Whose immortal

Habitants in robes of light
Stood, methought, as angel-wardens
Nigh each portal,

Now arose to daze my sight.
Eden spread around, revived and blooming;

When... lo! as I gazed, all passed away —
... saw but black rocks and billows looming

In the dim chill Dawn of Day 1