noon
Each day , before dawn , we left our night 's encampment , and watched the shadows as they retreated from hill and valley , and the golden splendour of the sun 's approach . The accompanying soldiers received , with national vivacity , enthusiastic pleasure from the sight of beautiful nature . The uprising of the star of day was hailed by triumphant strains , while the birds , heard by snatches , filled up the intervals of the music . At noon , we pitched our tents in some shady valley , or embowering wood among the mountains , while a stream prattling over pebbles induced grateful sleep . Our evening march , more calm , was yet more delightful than the morning restlessness of spirit . If the band played , involuntarily they chose airs of moderated passion ; the farewell of love , or lament at absence , was followed and closed by some solemn hymn , which harmonized with the tranquil loveliness of evening , and elevated the soul to grand and religious thought . Often all sounds were suspended , that we might listen to the nightingale , while the fire-flies danced in bright measure , and the soft cooing of the aziolo spoke of fair weather to the travellers .