Page:Poems Allen.djvu/190

And watch the swing of the boughs that sway,—
            Sway and sway
Upward and downward the livelong day.

Think of the small and steady rain,
 Falling fast when the black clouds meet,
Making the glad leaves dance again
 With its thrilling touch and its murmur sweet;
Hear on the roof the thick drops beat,—
            Beat and beat,
Patting like millions of fluttering feet.

 Think of the wastes of waving grass,
Far on the wide, wide prairies seen,
 Broken to waves as the breezes pass,
Ploughed into furrows of golden green;
How to their kisses its tassels lean,—
            Lean and lean,
Rolling in ripples of changing sheen.

Sleep, beloved! thy slow lids close,—
 Faithful vigils my eyes shall keep;
Drowsily drooping in dim repose,
 Poppies pale on thy pillow weep;
Cradled in slumberous thoughts to sleep,—
          Sleep and sleep,
While the midnight is dark and deep!