Days and Hours :: :: University of Virginia Library

Three hours were wanting to the noon of day,
When long-hair'd Zephyrus flying from the Sun
O'er the green, wooded uplands wing'd his way,
And left the plains where freshness there was none;
Amid the Western clouds, and shadows gray
He thought to slumber till the day was done,
And up he clomb into a realm of wonder,
With towers, and domes, and pyramids of thunder.

II

The wild birds mourn'd for him, the wild flowers sent
Their sweets to call him back, they fain would keep;
The trembling leaves sigh'd farewell as he went,
The thunders spread their banners o'er his sleep;
Silence stood sentinel before his tent,
And hush'd the earth, and breathed upon the deep;
On a gold cloud his curly head he laid,
And dream'd of virgin buds, and morning shade.

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III

Three hours were sped since noon—when Zephyrus, free
Of slumber, leapt up and began to sing,
And ran, and dipt his foot into the sea,
And then an arm, and then a shining wing,
And moved upon the waters gloriously;
The waters at the touch of their own king
Quiver'd unto their springs with joyful fear,
And made low answers silver-sweet to hear.

IV

The glassy ripplets first began to throng
Each to the smooth shore like an eager hound;
Then a faint murmur like a whisper'd song
Crept o'er the tawny sands; and then a sound
Of a far tumult waxing near and strong;
And then the flash, and thundering rebound
Of powers cast back in conflict, and the moan
Of the long, banded waters overthrown!