Stillness of summer noontide over hill, And deep embowering wood, and rock, and stream, Spread forth her downy pinions, scattering sleep Upon the drooping eyelids of the air. No wind breathed through the forest that could stir The lightest foliage. If a rustling sound Escaped the trees, it might be nestling bird, Or else the polished leaves were turning back To their own natural places, whence the wind Of the last hour had flung them. From afar Came the deep roar of waters, yet subdued To a melodious murmur, like the chant Of naiads, ere they take their noontide rest. A tremulous motion stirred the aspen leaves, And from their shivering stems an utterance came, So delicate and spirit like, it seemed The soul of music breathed, without a voice. The anemone bent low her drooping head, Mourning the absence of her truant love, Till the soft languor closed her sleepy eye, To dream of zephyrs from the fragrant south, Coming to wake her with renewed life. The eglantine breathed perfume; and the rose Cherished her reddening buds, that drank the light, Fair as the vermil on the cheek of hope. Where'er in sheltered nook or quiet dell, The waters, like enamored lovers, found A thousand sweet excuses for delay, The clustering lilies bloomed upon their breast, Love-tokens from the naiads, when they came To trifle with the deep, impassioned waves. The wild-bee hovering on voluptuous wing, Scarce murmured to the blossom, drawing thence Slumber with honey; then in the purpling cup, As if oppressed with sweetness, sank to sleep. The wood-dove tenderly caressed his mate; Each looked within the other's drowsy eyes, Till outward objects melted into dreams. The rich vermilion of the tanager, Or summer red-bird, flashed amid the green, Like rubies set in richest emerald. On some tall maple sat the oriole, In black and orange, by his pendent nest, To cheer his brooding mate with whispered songs; While high amid the loftiest hickory Perched the loquacious jay, his turquoise crest Low drooping, as he plumed his shining coat, Rich with the changeful blue of Nazareth. And higher yet, amid a towering pine, Stood the fierce hawk, half-slumbering, half-awake, His keen eye flickering in his dark unrest, As if he sought for plunder in his dreams. The scaly snake crawled lazily abroad, To revel in the sunshine; and the hare Stole from her leafy couch, with ears erect Against the soft air-current; then she crept, With a light, velvet footfall, through the ferns. The squirrel stayed his gambols; and the songs Which late through all the forest arches rang, Were graduated to a harmony Of rudimental music, breathing low, Making the soft wind richer--as the notes Had been dissolved and mingled with the air.