The winged Hours! Commission'd in alternate watch they stand, The sun's bright portals, and the skies, command; Close or unfold the eternal gates of day, Bar heaven with clouds, or roll those clouds away.
DRYDEN'S VIRGIL.
WHAT HOUR DO YOU LOVE?
1. When, from ebon streak, The moon puts forth a little diamond peak, No bigger than an unobserved star, Or tiny point of fairy cimeter; Bright signal, that she only stoops to tie Her silver sandals, ere deliciously She bows into the heavens her timid head.
KEATS.
2. When morning cometh, with a still And gliding mystery, on the breaking gray Of the fresh east.
W. G. SIMMS.
3. When the stars are out-- Cold, but still beautiful,--a crowded choir, Harmonious in their heavenly minstrelsy.
RUFUS DAWES.
4. When blue-eyed day Has yielded up her regency, and night, Exceeding beautiful, resumes her right As solemn watchman.
MISS M. E. LEE.
5. When sunk the sun, and up the eastern heaven, Like maiden on a lonely pilgrimage, Moves the meek star of eve.
MILMAN.
6. When Phoebus, fresh as bridegroom to his mate, Comes dauncing forth, shaking his dewie hayre, And hurls his glistering beams through gloomy ayre.
SPENSER.
7. When on the sunlit limits of the night, Her white shell trembling amid crimson air, Glides the young moon.
SHELLEY.
8. When clouds lay cradled near the setting sun, And gleams of crimson tinge their braided snow.
WILSON.
9. When the glorious sun has gone, And the gathering darkness of night comes on; Like a curtain from God's kind hand it flows, To shade the couch where his children repose.
H. WARE, JR.
10. You love the deep, deep pause, that reigns At highest noon, o'er hills and plains.
CARRINGTON.
11. When the stars do disappear, With only one remaining, The morning star alone; Just like a maid complaining, When all her hopes are gone.
WILLIAM CRAFTS.
12. When climbs above the eastern bar The horned moon, with one bright star Within the nether lip.
COLERIDGE.
13. When comes forth the glorious day, Like a bridegroom richly dight, And before his flashing ray Flies the sullen, vanquish'd night.
Oracles From the Poets: a Fanciful Diversion for the Drawing Room · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.