Public-domain source text

The Hermit Thrush

by Henry van Dyke Jr.

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/henry-van-dyke-jr_poetry

O wonderful! How liquid clear The molten gold of that ethereal tone, Floating and falling through the wood alone, A hermit-hymn poured out for God to hear!
O holy, holy, holy! Hyaline, Long light, low light, glory of eventide! Love far away, far up⁠—up⁠—love divine! Little love, too, for ever, ever near, Warm love, earth love, tender love of mine, In the leafy dark where you hide, You are mine⁠—mine⁠—mine!
Ah, my belovèd, do you feel with me The hidden virtue of that melody, The rapture and the purity of love, The heavenly joy that can not find the word? Then, while we wait again to hear the bird, Come very near to me, and do not move⁠— Now, hermit of the woodland, fill anew The cool, green cup of air with harmony, And we will drink the wine of love with you.
May, 1908.

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