Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A CONGREGATION, by AUGUSTA DAVIES WEBSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A CONGREGATION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The balmy evening air stole in
Last Line: Might smile with pleasure then.
Alternate Author Name(s): Home, Cecil; Webster, Mrs. Julia Augusta


THE balmy evening air stole in
To a twilight-glimmering room,
There sat three fair young maidens
In girlhood's early bloom.

And I was with them too, for well
I loved with them to be,
For light and merry were their words,
Their laugh so glad and free.

But then was no gay mirth, they sat
So still, so thoughtfully,
I scarce could think they were the same
That laughed so merrily.

One, dusky-haired, with deep grey eyes,
But not with wonted look
Half proud half glad, in silver tones
Read from the holy book.

Her sisters listened to her voice,
The one with golden hair,
And brightly tinted cheek and lip
As only youth can wear;

And one with paler blush-rose hue
And hair of deepest brown,
With half-formed smile and look oft worn,
Her dreamy eyes cast down.

They closed the sacred page, they knelt
And breathed the old Church-prayer:--
'Twas a scene to paint, the twilight room,
And they so young and fair.

And methought perhaps the angels
Who keep kind watch o'er men,
And oft must weep their stubborn hearts,
Might smile with pleasure then.






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