The world is resting without sound or motion, 
Behind the apple tree the sun goes down 
Painting with fire the spires and the windows 
In the elm-shaded town. 
Beyond the calm Connecticut the hills lie 
Silvered with haze as fruits still fresh with bloom, 
The swallows weave in flight across the zenith 
On an aerial loom. 

Into the garden peace comes back with twilight, 
Peace that since noon had left the purple phlox, 
The heavy-headed asters, the late roses 
And swaying hollyhocks. 

For at high-noon I heard from this same garden 
The far-off murmur as when many come; 
Up from the village surged the blind and beating 
Red music of a drum; 

And the hysterical sharp fife that shattered 
The brittle autumn air, 
While they came, the young men marching 
Past the village square. . . . 

Across the calm Connecticut the hills change 
To violet, the veils of dusk are deep -- 
Earth takes her children's many sorrows calmly 
And stills herself to sleep.