When I heard at the Close of the Day

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,