Poetry Archives

When I heard at the close of the day how my name
  had been receiv’d with plaudits in the capitol, still 
	it was not a happy night for me that follow’d;
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, 
	still I was not happy; 
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, 
	refresh’d, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn, 
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear 
	in the morning light, 
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, 
	laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way 
	coming, O then I was happy; 
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food 
	nourish’d me more—and the beautiful day pass’d well, 
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, 
	came my friend; 
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly 
	continually up the shores, 
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, 
	whispering, to congratulate me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover 
	in the cool night, 
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined 
	toward me, 
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.