It is the sacred hour: above the far 
Low emerald hills that northward fold, 
Calmly, upon the blue the evening star 
Floats, wreathed in dusky gold. 
The winds have sung all day; but now they lie 
Faint, sleeping; and the evening sounds awake. 
The slow bell tolls across the water: I 
Am haunted by the spirit of the lake. 
It seems as though the sounding of the bell 
Intoned the low song of the water-soul, 
And at some moments I can hardly tell 
The long-resounding echo from the toll. 
O thou mysterious lake, thy spell 
Holds all who round thy fruitful margin dwell. 
Oft have I seen home-going peasants' eyes 
Lit with the peace that emanates from thee. 
Those who among thy waters plunge, arise 
Filled with new wisdom and serenity. 
Thy veins are in the mountains. I have heard, 
Down-stretched beside thee at the silent noon, 
With leaning head attentive to thy word, 
A secret and delicious mountain-tune, 
Proceeding as from many shadowed hours 
In ancient forests carpeted with flowers, 
Or far, where hidden waters, wandering 
Through banks of snow, trickle, and meet, and sing. 
Ah, what repose at noon to go, 
Lean on thy bosom, hold thee with wide hands, 
And listen for the music of the snow! 
But most, as now, 
When harvest covers thy surrounding lands, 
I love thee, with a coronal of sheaves 
Crowned regent of the day; 
And on the air thy placid breathing leaves 
A scent of corn and hay. 
For thou hast gathered (as a mother will 
The sayings of her children in her heart) 
The harvest-thoughts of reapers on the hill, 
When the cool rose and honeysuckle fill 
The air, and fruit is laden on the cart. 
Thou breathest the delight 
Of summer evening at the deep-roofed farm 
And meditation of the summer night, 
When the enravished earth is lying warm 
From the recent kisses of the conquering sun. 

Dwell as a spirit in me, O thou one 
Sweet natural presence. In the years to be 
When all the mortal loves perchance are done, 
Them I will bid farewell, but, oh, not thee. 
I love thee. When the youthful visions fade, 
Fade thou not also in the hopeless past. 
Be constant and delightful, as a maid 
Sought over all the world, and found at last.