A moment ends the fervent din, And all is hushed, without and within; For though the priest, more tranquilly, 45 Recites the holy liturgy, The only voice which you can hear Is the river murmuring near. --When soft!--the dusky trees between, And down the path through the open green, 50 Where is no living thing to be seen; And through yon gateway, where is found, Beneath the arch with ivy bound, Free entrance to the church-yard ground-- [7]Comes gliding in with lovely gleam, 55 Comes gliding in serene and slow, Soft and silent as a dream, A solitary Doe! White she is as lily of June, And beauteous as the silver moon 60 When out of sight the clouds are driven And she is left alone in heaven; Or like a ship some gentle day In sunshine sailing far away, A glittering ship, that hath the plain 65 Of ocean for her own domain. Lie silent in your graves, ye dead! Lie quiet in your church-yard bed! Ye living, tend your holy cares; Ye multitude, pursue your prayers; 70 And blame not me if my heart and sight Are occupied with one delight! 'Tis a work for sabbath hours If I with this bright Creature go: Whether she be of forest bowers, 75 From the bowers of earth below; Or a Spirit for one day given, A pledge[8] of grace from purest heaven. What harmonious pensive changes Wait upon her as she ranges 80 Round and through this Pile of state Overthrown and desolate! Now a step or two her way Leads through[9] space of open day, Where the enamoured sunny light 85 Brightens her that was so bright;[L] Now doth a delicate shadow fall, Falls upon her like a breath, From some lofty arch or wall, As she passes underneath: 90 Now some gloomy nook partakes Of the glory that she makes,-- High-ribbed vault of stone, or cell, With perfect cunning framed as well Of stone, and ivy, and the spread 95 Of the elder's bushy head; Some jealous and forbidding cell, That doth the living stars repel, And where no flower hath leave to dwell.