Let us for ever be at peace
As walls and mountains are,
Or as the ocean storms that cease
When smoother tides would hold a star.
We strove with shadows for so long
We sped our youth so fast,
But now the bell has rung for evensong
And sleep, at last.
How many frolics we have seen
Who now shall frisk no more,
And made pretense of budding green
When autumn ripened at the core.
When wit was wanting words were long
And folly made reply,
Now all our words are but good-night, our song
A lullaby.