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When the chant was done； and lingering Died upon the evening air；
From the hill the radiant Angels Still were listening there。
Silent came the gathering darkness； Bringing with it sleep and rest；
Save a little bird was singing Near her leafy nest。
Through the sounds of war and labour She had warbled all day long；
While the Angels leant and listened Only to her song。
But the starry night was coming； When she ceased her little lay From
the mountain top the Angels Slowly passed away。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： GOLDEN DAYS
Golden dayswhere are they？ Pilgrims east and west Cry； if we could
find them We would pause and rest： We would pause and rest a little From
our long and weary ways：… Where are they； then； where are they … Golden
days？
Golden dayswhere are they？ Ask of childhood's years； Still
untouched by sorrow； Still undimmed by tears： Ah； they seek a phantom
Future； Crowned with brighter； starry rays； … Where are they； then； where
are they … Golden days？
Golden dayswhere are they？ Has Love learnt the spell That will
charm them hither； Near our hearth to dwell？ Insecure are all her treasures；
Restless is her anxious gaze：… Where are they； then； where are they …
Golden days？
Golden dayswhere are they？ Farther up the hill I can hear the echo
Faintly calling still： Faintly calling； faintly dying； In a far…off misty haze：…
Where are they； then； where are they … Golden days？
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： PHILIP AND
MILDRED
Lingering fade the rays of daylight； and the listening air is chilly；
Voice of bird and forest murmur； insect hum and quivering spray Stir not
in that quiet hour： through the valley； calm and stilly； All in hushed and
loving silence watch the slow departing Day。
Till the last faint western cloudlet； faint and rosy； ceases blushing； And
the blue grows deep and deeper where one trembling planet shines； And
the day has gone for everthen； like some great ocean rushing； The sad
night wind wails lamenting； sobbing through the moaning pines。
Such； of all day's changing hours； is the fittest and the meetest For a
farewell hourand parting looks less bitter and more blest； Earth seems
like a shrine for sorrow； Nature's mother voice is sweetest； And her hand
seems laid in chiding on the unquiet throbbing breast。
Words are lower； for the twilight seems rebuking sad repining； And
wild murmur and rebellion； as all childish and in vain； Breaking through
dark future hours clustering starry hopes seem shining； Then the calm and
tender midnight folds her shadow round the pain。
So they paced the shady lime…walk in that twilight dim and holy； Still
the last farewell deferring； she could hear or he should say； Every word；
weighed down by sorrow； fell more tenderly and slowly … This； which now
beheld their parting； should have been their wedding…day。
Should have been： her dreams of childhood； never straying； never
faltering； Still had needed Philip's image to make future life complete；
Philip's young hopes of ambition； ever changing； ever altering； Needed
Mildred's gentle presence even to make successes sweet。
This day should have seen their marriage； the calm crowning and
assurance Of two hearts； fulfilling rather； and not changing； either life：
Now they must be rent asunder； and her heart must learn endurance； For
he leaves their home； and enters on a world of work and strife。
But her gentle spirit long had learnt； unquestioning； submitting； To
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
revere his youthful longings； and to marvel at the fate That gave such a
humble office； all unworthy and unfitting； To the genius of the village；
who was born for something great。
When the learned Traveller came there who had gained renown at
college； Whose abstruse research had won him even European fame；
Questioned Philip； praised his genius； marvelled at his self…taught
knowledge； Could she murmur if he called him up to London and to fame？
Could she waver when he bade her take the burden of decision； Since
his troth to her was plighted； and his life was now her own？ Could she
doom him to inaction？ could she； when a newborn vision Rose in glory for
his future； check it for her sake alone？
So her little trembling fingers； that had toiled with such fond pleasure；
Paused； and laid aside； and folded the unfinished wedding gown； Faltering
earnestly assurance； that she too could； in her measure； Prize for him the
present honour； and the future's sure renown。
Now they pace the shady lime…walk； now the last words must be
spoken； Words of trust； for neither dreaded more than waiting and delay；
Was not love still called eternalcould a plighted vow be broken？ … See
the crimson light of sunset fades in purple mist away。
〃Yes； my Mildred；〃 Philip told her； 〃one calm thought of joy and
blessing； Like a guardian spirit by me； through the world's tumultuous stir；
Still will spread its wings above me； and now urging； now repressing；
With my Mildred's voice will murmur thoughts of home； and love； and
her。
〃It will charm my peaceful leisure； sanctify my daily toiling； With a
right none else possesses； touching my heart's inmost string； And to keep
its pure wings spotless I shall fly the world's touch； soiling Even in
thought this Angel Guardian of my Mildred's Wedding Ring。
〃Take it； dear； this little circlet is the first link； strong and holy； Of a
life…long chain； and holds me from all other love apart； Till the day when
you may wear it as my wifemy ownmine wholly … Let me know it rests
for ever near the beating of your heart。〃
Dawn of day saw Philip speeding on his road to the Great City；
Thinking how the stars gazed downward just with Mildred's patient eyes；
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
Dreams