I
THERE-S not a person in the street,
This merry-making summer day!
The houses stand in dull array;
No profit on their doors to beat,
For all their owners are away.
The gardens blossom white and red
All solitary in the sun,
Save where some timid creatures run;
Secure across the lawns to tread,
No human dangers here to shun,-
Since men have gone on holiday;
Have left the still, suburban street
For that wide park, where people meet
In pleasures till the eve is grey.
Oh, but the home-coming is sweet!
II
There-s not a person in the street
Where wandering in grief I go.
These strange small houses, set in row,
Send out no human form to greet,
No busy footfalls to and fro.
Tall poplars raise their shafts beside;
And mingled shades and sunbeams bless
God-s Acre, in its quietness-
God-s town, where men are drawn to bide
Untroubled by the world-s distress.
There comes no opening of the gate,
Though to my friend I plead and pray.
-Patience!- the trees and sunbeams say.
-Here only empty houses wait,
While souls are keeping holiday.-