noon
Harry did not wait for a second invitation ; for to sing was to him evidently a pleasure too great to be put in jeopardy . He rose at once , and sitting down at the instrument , sang -- I can not say _ as follows _ , you see ; I can only say _ the following words _ : Autumn clouds are flying , flying , O'er the waste of blue ; Summer flowers are dying , dying , Late so lovely new . Labouring wains are slowly rolling Home with winter grain ; Holy bells are slowly tolling Over buried men . Goldener lights set noon a-sleeping Like an afternoon ; Colder airs come stealing , creeping After sun and moon ; And the leaves , all tired of blowing Cloudlike o'er the sun , Change to sunset-colours , knowing That their day is done . Autumn 's sun is sinking , sinking Into Winter 's night ; And our hearts are thinking , thinking Of the cold and blight . Our life 's sun is slowly going Down the hill of might ; Will our clouds shine golden-glowing On the slope of night ? But the vanished corn is lying In rich golden glooms .