noon
With all her grave meditation , she never lectured her attendants , knowing probably that sermons in example are more impressive than sermons in words . In illustration of the freedom they enjoyed in her presence and hearing , one of them , behind the curtain , touched a stringed instrument -- a cithern -- and followed the prelude with a song of Anacreontic vein . THE GOLDEN NOON . If my life were but a day -- One morn , one night , With a golden noon for play , And I , of right , Could say what I would do With it -- what would I do ? Penance to me -- e ` en the stake , And late or soon ! -- Yet would Love remain to make That golden noon Delightful -- I would do -- Ah , Love , what would I do ? And when the singer ceased there was a merry round of applause .