Halcyon Days

Not from successful love alone,
Nor wealth, nor honored middle age, nor vic- 
      tories of politics or war.
But as life wanes, and all the turbulent passions
      calm,
As gorgeous, vapory, silent hues cover the even- 
      ing sky,
As softness, fulness, rest, suffuse the spirit and
      frame like freshier, balmier air;
As the days take on a mellower light, and the
      apple at last hangs really finished and in- 
      dolent ripe on the tree,
Then for the teeming quietest, happiest days of
      all!
The brooding and blissful halcyon days!


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