noon
In a minute she came to herself , closed her window , drew down the blind , lighted a candle , set it on the window-sill , and opened the letter . It contained these verses , and nothing more : -- My morning rose in laughter -- A gold and azure day . Dull clouds came trooping after , Livid , and sullen gray . At noon , the rain did batter , And it thundered like a hell : I sighed , it is no matter , At night I shall sleep as well . But I longed with a madness tender For an evening like the morn , That my day might die in splendor , Not folded in mist forlorn -- Die like a tone elysian , Like a bee in a cactus-flower , Like a day-surprised vision , Like a wind in a summer shower . Through the vaulted clouds about me Broke trembling an azure space : Was it a dream to flout me -- Or was it a perfect face ? The sky and the face together Are gone , and the wind blows fell .