Festivities

" Long I wandered 'till the slanting
Sunbeams bathed in misty gold,
The forest and a scene enchanting
To my vision did unfold.
Streaming richly through the pendant
Spray that waved in motley-green;
Lighting up each nook resplendent,
Till it looked a magic scene.
Long I gazed with admiration
On the woodland thus arrayed,
Changing in its transformation
Glorious tints of light and shade.
Twilight shadows gathered round me,
Still I lingered in the woods,
Chained by beauty's spell that bound me
To it's peaceful solitude.
Shadows deepened into sable
Hues that haunt the rayless night;
Scarcely longer was I able
To discern a ray of light:
Till at last the wild charm spurning,
As the night still darker grew,
Homeward then my footsteps turning,
To the forest bade adieu."
The Old Forest
(Author Unknown, 1855)