All the long day the vapours played br At blindfold in the city streets, br Their elfin fingers caught and stayed br The sunbeams, as they wound their sheets br Into a filmy barricade br 'Twixt earth and where the sunlight beats. br br A vagrant band of mischiefs these, br With wings of grey and cobweb gown; br They live along the edge of seas, br And creeping out on foot of down, br They chase and frolic, frisk and tease br At blind-man's buff with all the town. br br And when at eventide the sun br Breaks with a glory through their grey, br The vapour-fairies, one by one, br Outspread their wings and float away br In clouds of colouring, that run br Wine-like along the rim of day. br br Athwart the beauty and the breast br Of purpling airs they twirl and twist, br Then float away to some far rest, br Leaving the skies all colour-kiss't-- br A glorious and a golden West br That greets the Lifting of the Mist.