When I returned at sunset, br The serving-maid was singing softly br Under the dark stairs, and in the house br Twilight had entered like a moon-ray. br Tune was so dead I could not understand br The meaning of midday or of midnight, br But like falling waters, falling, hissing, falling, br Silence seemed an everlasting sound. br br I sat in my room, br And watched sunset, br And saw starlight. br I heard the tramp of homing men, br And the last call of the last child; br Then a lone bird twittered, br And suddenly, beyond the housetops, br I imagined dew in the country, br In the hay, on the buttercups; br The rising moon, br The scent of early night, br The songs, the echoes, br Dogs barking, br Day closing, br Gradual slumber, br Sweet rest. br br When all the lamps were lighted in the town br I passed into the street ways and I watched, br Wakeful, almost happy, br And half the night I wandered in the street.