Bird of the fanciful plumage, <br />That foldest thy wings in the west, <br />Imbuing the shimmering ocean <br />With the hues of thy delicate breast, <br />Passing away into Dreamland, <br />To visions of heavenly rest! <br /> <br />Spirit! when thou art permitted <br />To bask in the sunset of life; <br />Serene in thine eventide splendour, <br />Thy countenance victory rife; <br />Leaving the world where thou'st triumphed <br />Alike o'er its greatness and strife: <br /> <br />Thine be the destiny, spirit, <br />To set like the sun in the west; <br />Folding thy wings of rare plumage, <br />Conscious of infinite rest, <br />Heralded on to thy haven, <br />The Fortunate Isles of the Blest.<br /><br />Charles Sangster<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-evening-thought-3/
