Along the grassy banks how sweet to stray,
When the mild eve smiles in the glowing west,
And lengthen'd shades proclaim departing day,
And fainting sun-beams in the waters play,
When every bird seeks its accustom'd rest!
How grand, to see the burning orb descend,
And the grave sky wrapp'd in its nightly robes,
Whether resplendent with the starry globes,
Or silver'd by the mildly-solemn moon,
When nightingales their lonely songs resume,
And folly's sons their babbling noise suspend!