When I heard at the Close of the Day

 WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv’d with plaudits in the
 capitol,
 still it was not a happy night for me that follow’d; 
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, still I was not happy; 
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh’d, singing,
 inhaling
 the
 ripe breath of autumn, 
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the morning light, 
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, laughing with the cool
 waters,
 and
 saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way coming, O then I was
 happy; 
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food nourish’d me more—and the
 beautiful
 day pass’d well, 
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, came my friend; 
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the
 shores,

I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, whispering, to
 congratulate
 me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in the cool night, 
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined toward me, 
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.

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