noon
. Then , when I came hither to vent at my father 's grave the indignant grief I suffered not the world to see , you and your mother -LRB- she who professed for me such loyal friendship , such ineffaceable gratitude -RRB- , you two came kindly to share my solitude -- and then , then you were a child no more ! -- and a sun that had never gilt my life brightened out of the face of the Caroline of old ! '' He paused a moment , heeding not her bitter weeping ; he was rapt from the present hour itself by the excess of that anguish which is to woe what ecstasy is to joy -- swept along by the flood of thoughts that had been pent within his breast through the solitary days and haunted nights , which had made the long transition state from his manhood 's noon to its gathering eve . And in that pause there came from afar off a melodious , melancholy strain - softly , softly borne over the cold blue waters -- softly , softly through the sere autumnal leaves -- the music of the magic flute ! `` Hark ! '' he said , `` do you not remember ?