noon
We had no way of reaching the desired spot but by retracing our steps a mile , during the heat of the hottest hour of the day , and then following the course of the river to an equal distance on the other side ; nor had we any materials for sketching , except the rumpled paper which had contained our repast , and a pencil without a point which I happened to have about me . But these small difficulties are pleasures to gay and happy youth . Regardless of such obstacles , the sweet Emily bounded on like a fawn , and I followed delighting in her delight . The sun went in , and the walk was delicious ; a reviving coolness seemed to breathe over the water , wafting the balmy scent of the firs and limes ; we found a point of view presenting the boat-house , the water , the poplars , and the mill , in a most felicitous combination ; the little straw fruit basket made a capital table ; and refreshed and sharpened and pointed by our trusty lacquey 's excellent knife -LRB- your country boy is never without a good knife , it is his prime treasure -RRB- , the pencil did double duty ; -- first in the skilful hands of Emily , whose faithful and spirited sketch does equal honour to the scene and to the artist , and then in the humbler office of attempting a faint transcript of my own impressions in the following sonnet : -- It was an hour of calmest noon , at day Of ripest summer : o'er the deep blue sky White speckled clouds came sailing peacefully , Half-shrouding in a chequer 'd veil the ray Of the sun , too ardent else , -- what time we lay By the smooth Loddon , opposite the high Steep bank , which as a coronet gloriously Wore its rich crest of firs and lime trees , gay With their pale tassels ; while from out a bower Of ivy -LRB- where those column 'd poplars rear Their heads -RRB- the ruin 'd boat-house , like a tower , Flung its deep shadow on the waters clear . My Emily ! forget not that calm hour , Nor that fair scene , by thee made doubly dear ! August 15th .