The day begins to droop,-- br Its course is done: br But nothing tells the place br Of the setting sun. br The hazy darkness deepens, br And up the lane br You may hear, but cannot see, br The homing wain. br An engine pants and hums br In the farm hard by: br Its lowering smoke is lost br In the lowering sky. br The soaking branches drip, br And all night through br The dropping will not cease br In the avenue. br A tall man there in the house br Must keep his chair: br He knows he will never again br Breathe the spring air: br His heart is worn with work; br He is giddy and sick br If he rise to go as far br As the nearest rick: br He thinks of his morn of life, br His hale, strong years; br And braves as he may the night br Of darkness and tears.