Sinopsis

The Lighting of the Candles. WHENCE came the ember That touched our young souls' candles first with light; In shadowy years, too distant to , Where childhood merges backward into night? I know not, but the halo of those tapers Has ever since around all nature shone; And we have looked at life through golden vapors Because of that one ember touch alone. At Early Candle-Lighting. THOSE, who have heard the whispered breath Of Nature's secret "Shibboleth," And learned the -word to unroll The veil that hides her inmost soul, May follow; but this by-path leads Through mullein stalks and jimson-weeds. And he who scorning treads them down Would deem but poor and common-place Those whom he'll meet in homespun gown. But they who lovingly retrace Their steps to scenes I dream about, Will find the latch-string hanging out. With them I claim companionship, And for them burn my tallow-dip, At early candle-lighting.