There was never a sound beside the wood but one, And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground.

But he sent her Good-by, And said to be good, And wear her red hood, And look for skunk tracks In the snow with an ax - And do everything!

To warm the frozen swamp as best it could With the slow smokeless burning of decay.

She drew back; he was calm 'It is this that had the power,' And he lashed his open palm With the tender-headed flower.

The greenish sky glows up in misty reds, The purple shadows turn to brick and stone, The dreams wear thin, men turn upon their beds, And hear the milk-cart jan…

The Curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea, The plowman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness…

Elected Silence, sing to me And beat upon my whorled ear, Pipe me to pastures still and be The music that I care to hear.