Stephenson's Graded Classical Poems

Strongly built were the houses, high frames of oak
and of hemlock.
Such as the peasants of Normandy built in the
reign of the Henries.
Thatched were the roofs, both dormer-windows;
and gables projecting
Over the basement below protected and shaded the
doorway.
There in the tranquil evenings of summer, when
brightly the sunset
Lighted the village street and gilded the vanes on
the chimneys,
Matrons and maidens sat in snow-white caps and
in kirtles
Scarlet and blue and green, with distaffs spinning
the golden
Flax for the gossiping looms, whose noisy shuttles
within doors
Mingle their sound with the whir of the wheels and
the songs of the maidens.

Solemnly down the street came the parish priest
and the children
Paused in their play to kiss the hand he extended
to bless them.
Reverend talked he among them; and up rose
matrons and maidens,
Hailing his slow approach with words of affection-
ate welcome.
Then came the laborers home from the field and
serenely the sun sank
Down to his rest, and twilight prevailed. Anon
from the belfry
Softly the belfry sounded, and over the roofs of
the village

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