| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | I. Twilight | | By Mrs. Elizabeth Jesup Eames (1813–1856) |
| | Night-Scenes
THE HOLIEST hour of earth, methinks, is thine, | |
| O Twilight, meekly fair! Welcome to all | |
| When, soft and sweet, thy vestal light divine | |
| Over life’s toil-worn travellers doth fall. | |
| Then the world pauses from its busy cares; | 5 |
| Then play-tired children say their evening prayers; | |
| Then the low cradle-hymn the mother weaves; | |
| The bird folds up its wing, the flower its leaves. | |
| Yea! hallowed of all hours since the time | |
| God’s presence blest it in the cedar shade, | 10 |
| When the leaves thrilled with joy, though man, afraid, | |
| Shrank from his voice, and fled the Guest divine! | |
| That peerless Paradise is lost, but still, | |
| O Father! let this hour be free from touch of ill. | | | | |
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