A Noonday Melody + 

Everything goes to its rest; + 

The hills are asleep in the noon; + 

And life is as still in its nest + 

As the moon when she looks on a moon + 

In the depth of a calm river’s breast + 

As it steals through a midnight in June. + 

The streams have forgotten the sea + 

In the dream of their musical sound; + 

The sunlight is thick on the tree, + 

And the shadows lie warm on the ground⁠— + 

So still, you may watch them and see + 

Every breath that awakens around. + 

The churchyard lies still in the heat, + 

With its handful of mouldering bone, + 

As still as the long stalk of wheat + 

In the shadow that sits by the stone, + 

As still as the grass at my feet + 

When I walk in the meadows alone. + 

The waves are asleep on the main, + 

And the ships are asleep on the wave; + 

And the thoughts are as still in my brain + 

As the echo that sleeps in the cave; + 

All rest from their labour and pain⁠— + 

Then why should not I in my grave? + 