“Day is Dying”

From “The Spanish Gypsy” DAY is dying! Float, O song,   Down the westward river, Requiem chanting to the Day,—   Day, the mighty Giver. Pierced by shafts of Time he bleeds,   Melted rubies sending Through the river and the sky,   Earth and heaven bleeding; All the long-drawn earthy banks   Up to cloud-land lifting: Slow between them drifts the swan,   ’Twixt two heavens drifting. Wings half open, like a flower   Inly deeper flushing, Neck and breast as virgin’s pure,—   Virgin proudly blushing. Day is dying! Float, O swan,   Down the ruby river; Follow, song, in requiem   To the mighty Giver.