Gilbert Parker (1862-1932), "The Twilight of Love", from Embers, published 1894
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) , "Twilight", op. 59 no. 6 (1909-10), published 1910, first performed 1910, stanzas 1-2,4
Adieu! and the sun goes awearily down, The mist creeps up o'er the sleepy town, The white sails bend to the shudd'ring mere, And the reapers have reaped, and the night is here.
Adieu! and the years are a broken song, The right grows weak in the strife with wrong, The lilies of love have a crimson stain, And the old days never will come again.
Adieu! where the mountains afar are dim 'Neath the tremulous tread of the seraphim, Shall not our querulous hearts prevail, That have prayed for the peace of the Holy Grail?
Adieu! Some time shall the veil between The things that are, and that might have been Be folded back for our eyes to see, And the meaning of all be clear to me.