The day is done; and, lo! the shades <br />Melt 'neath Diana's mellow grace. <br />Hark, how those deep, designing maids <br />Feign terror in this sylvan place! <br />Come, friends, it's time that we should go; <br />We're honest married folk, you know. <br /> <br />Was not the wine delicious cool <br />Whose sweetness Pyrrha's smile enhanced? <br />And by that clear Bandusian pool <br />How gayly Chloe sung and danced! <br />And Lydia Die,--aha, methinks <br />You'll not forget the saucy minx! <br /> <br />But, oh, the echoes of those songs <br />That soothed our cares and lulled our hearts! <br />Not to that age nor this belongs <br />The glory of what heaven-born arts <br />Speak with the old distinctive charm <br />From yonder humble Sabine farm! <br /> <br />The day is done. Now off to bed, <br />Lest by some rural ruse surprised, <br />And by those artful girls misled, <br />You two be sadly compromised. <br />_You_ go; perhaps _I_'d better stay <br />To shoo the giddy things away! <br /> <br />But sometime we shall meet again <br />Beside Digentia, cool and clear,-- <br />You and we twain, old friend; and then <br />We'll have our fill of pagan cheer. <br />Then, could old Horace join us three, <br />How proud and happy he would be! <br /> <br />Or if we part to meet no more <br />This side the misty Stygian Sea, <br />Be sure of this: on yonder shore <br />Sweet cheer awaiteth such as we; <br />A Sabine pagan's heaven, O friend,-- <br />The fellowship that knows no end!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epilogue-26/
