Sunset [poem by Louisa Lawson]

[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).]

Sunset.

I love at eve to wander
Alone upon the hills,
While nature, with her myst’ries,
My soul with wonder fills.

A king in robes of crimson
And ermine seeking rest,
The sun in golden splendour
Sinks in the solemn west.

His grandeur awes and thrills me,
I kneel upon the sod,
Bow down my head and worship
His mighty Maker — God.

Source:
Louisa Lawson, “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems, Sydney: Dawn Office, [1905], p. 96

Editor’s notes:
ermine = the dignity of a judge, noble, or high official (may also refer to 1) a weasel, or stoat, whose coat becomes white in winter, especially a short-tailed weasel; 2) white fur sourced from ermines; 3) the office, rank, or status of a judge, noble, or high-ranking official, whose ceremonial or official robe is, or historically was, trimmed or otherwise decorated with ermine)

myst’ries = (vernacular) mysteries

sod = earth, dirt, soil (especially with grass on it); turf; a section of grassy area cut out of the earth, usually cut out in a rectangular or square shape