Page:Satanella (1932).pdf/36

 Twilight fell upon the country,

Far away a stream was booming,

Time to time the forest whispered

As if dreaming Then all quiet

Out upon this midnight darkness

Gazed the greyish cloister ruins

As a giant of past ages,

Who to earth from grave returning,

After flight of years uncounted,

Stands there now, as if bewildered

By the time's fast fleeting changes.

Yes, these ruins were a giant,

Rock-hewn walls its shoulders forming,

With its arms, two massive arches

Stretching in the darkened distance,

While the windows, now illumined

By the glare of gypsies' fire

Forward shine like eyes aglowing.

Quiet, quiet o'er the country

But gay life among the ruins!

'twixt the walls of crumbling glory

Fleeting shadows come and vanish.

Toward the darkened vaulted ceiling

Soar the flames of hungry fires;

Through the caverns, nooks and hollows

Used to sleepy rest and quiet,