the noon of
night
` I am here , sweet lady . ' ` Is it near dawn ? ' ` Not yet , sweet lady ; it is yet night . It is long past the noon of night , sweet lady ; methinks I scent the rising breath of morn ; but still ` tis night , and the young moon shines like a sickle in the heavenly field , amid the starry harvest . ' ` Beruna , gentle girl , give me thy arm . I 'll rise . ' The maidens advanced , and gently raising their mistress , supported her to the window .