A Summer Evening Scene in Chateauguay

Written In Montreal.         Often, when the sun is sinking             O'er the mountain's glowing crest,         When the earth and heaven are linking             In that bond of peaceful rest;         Then, the weary city spurning,             On this grand repose I gaze,         And my mind, in fancy turning,             Dwells on scenes of childhood's days.         And I float upon the river             At the selfsame time of day,         When the sparkling waters quiver             'Neath the slanting evening ray.         Day's harsh memories forsaking             With its jarring and its jest,         For the soul is but awaking             As the day is lulled to rest.         Glimpse of even's glory getting             As the summer sun serene,         In his softened splendour setting,             Gilds the spires of Ste. Martine;         Glimmers through the silent bushes,             Glances on the birchen stems;         Casts perchance his fitful blushes             On the paddle, dripping gems.         And the hue of gold is deeper             On the cornfields by the stream;         And the sickle of the reaper             Flashes brightly in his beam.         And the fruits, of late commencing             To indue their glowing tint,         Richest beauty are enhancing             As they catch his gentle glint.         Now he greets the gaudy dresses             Of the lightsome Gallic maids,         Rivals through their raven tresses             Eyes of jet beneath their braids         As the peasant party gathers             Gaily for the sportive dance,         As of old have done their fathers             In the sunny vales of France.         But the night is falling thicker,             And the twilight soon will cease,         So I paddle on the quicker             Past where Beauty reigns with Peace;         Where the little brooks deliver             Water laughing in its glee,         Or the murky English River             Mingles with the Chateauguay.