'Twas a fit hour for parting, br For athwart the leaden sky br The heavy clouds came gathering br And sailing gloomily: br The earth was drunk with heaven's tears, br And each moaning autumn breeze br Shook the burthen of its weeping br Off the overladen trees. br The waterfall rushed swollen down, br In the twilight, dim and gray; br With a foam-wreath on the angry brow br Of each wave that flashed away. br My tears were mingling with the rain, br That fell so cold and fast, br And my spirit felt thy low deep sigh br Through the wild and roaring blast. br The beauty of the summer woods br Lay rustling round our feet, br And all fair things had passed away— br 'Twas an hour for parting meet.