Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Russia: Vol. XX. 1876–79. | | | | Moskva, the River | | A Country Church | | James Gates Percival (1795–1856) |
| | | NEAR Moskva’s stream, through heath and forest gliding, | |
| Deep in a river-vale, by meadow green, | |
| Embowered in beech, a lonely church is seen, | |
| Like timid fawn in dewy thicket hiding. | |
| Above its roof a German crosslet, shining, | 5 |
| Points to the pious serf his heavenward way; | |
| Around it spreads, bestrewn with blossoms gay, | |
| The field, where wearied hearts are safe reclining. | |
| O’er swelling graves, the bounding rabbit plays; | |
| All breathes of peace and gentleness around; | 10 |
| Light steals the maiden by; subdued each sound; | |
| Even fainter glances there the evening blaze; | |
| There, nestling side by side, at twilight’s close | |
| Soft coo the billing doves, and then repose. | | | | |
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