It is a Beauteous Evening

It is a beauteous evening, calm and free, 

The holy time is quiet as a Nun 

Breathless with adoration, the broad sun 

Is sinking down in its tranquility; 

The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea: 

Listen! the mighty being is awake, 

And doth with his eternal motion make 

A sound like thunder--everlastingly; 

Dear Child! dear Girl! that walkest with me here, 

If thou appear untouched by solemn thought, 

Thy nature is not therefore less divine: 

Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year, 

And worship'st at the Temple's inner shrine, 

God being with thee when we know it not.