DOWN on our house good shelter falls From those high neighbouring white walls, And here it dreams among the flowers And bushes bright with summer showers. Its creepered brick soaks up the smile Of noon and afternoon, the while The bees go tunnelling the deep Dim lily bells that sway and sleep. The day slips on, and sun's hot eye Cools in the lime-trees, down the sky; 'Tis twilight now, the birds refrain From song, and all is still again. Now night creeps over, distance hides; The white house -- a tall iceberg -- rides; A chafer breaks the darkened swoon, And white wide roses scan the moon. |