Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/104

 On a hundred hills the vines grew mellow
 * In the warmth of fostering autumn days.

Through the air the shrilly twittering swallows
 * Flashed their nimble shadows on the leas;

Red-flecked cows were glassed in golden shallows,
 * Purple clover hummed with restless bees.

Herdsmen drove the cattle from the mountain,
 * To the fold the shepherd drove his flocks,

Village girls drew water from the fountain,
 * Village yokels piled the full-eared shocks.

From the white town dozing in the valley,
 * Round its vast Cathedral's solemn shade,

Citizens strolled down the walnut alley
 * Where youth courted and glad childhood played.

"Peace on earth," I murmured; "let us linger—
 * Here the wage of life seems good at least:"

As I spake the veiled One raised a finger
 * Where the moon broke flowering in the east.