In summer's mellow midnight
A cloudless moon shone through
[The]1 open parlour window
And rose trees wet with dew

I sat in silent musing
The soft wind waved my hair
I told me heaven was glorious
And sleeping earth was fair

I needed not its breathing
To bring such thoughts to me
But still it whispered lowly
How dark the woods will be

The thick leaves in my murmur
Are rustling like a dream
And all their myriad voices
Instinct with spirit seem

I said go gently singer
Thy wooing voice is kind
But do not think its music
Has power to reach my mind

Play with the scented flower
The young tree's subtle bough
And leave my human feelings
In their own course to flow

The wanderer would not leave me
Its kiss grew warmer still
Oh come it sighed so sweetly
I'll win thee 'gainst thy will

Have we not been from childhood friends?
Have I not loved thee long?
As long as though has't loved the night
Whose silence wakes my song

And when thy heart is laid at rest
Beneath the church yard stone
I shall have time [no more]2 to mourn
And thou to be alone