The sun was gone, and the moon was coming br Over the blue Connecticut hills; br The west was rosy, the east was flushed, br And over my head the swallows rushed br This way and that, with changeful wills. br br I heard them twitter and watched them dart br Now together and now apart br Like dark petals blown from a tree; br The maples stamped against the west br Were black and stately and full of rest, br br And the hazy orange moon grew up br And slowly changed to yellow gold br While the hills were darkened, fold on fold br To a deeper blue than a flower could hold. br br Down the hill I went, and then br I forgot the ways of men, br For night-scents, heady, and damp and cool br Wakened ecstasy in me br On the brink of a shining pool. br br O Beauty, out of many a cup br You have made me drunk and wild br Ever since I was a child, br But when have I been sure as now br That no bitterness can bend br And no sorrow wholly bow br One who loves you to the end? br And though I must give my breath br And my laughter all to death, br And my eyes through which joy came, br br And my heart, a wavering flame; br If all must leave me and go back br Along a blind and fearful track br So that you can make anew, br Fusing with intenser fire, br Something nearer your desire; br br If my soul must go alone br Through a cold infinity, br Or even if it vanish, too, br Beauty, I have worshipped you. br br Let this single hour atone br For the theft of all of me.