noon
Bright eyes peeped at her from behind tree trunks , or the safe shelter of branches , and rippling bird music ended in a frightened chirp , `` Oh , '' she said aloud , `` do n't be afraid ! '' Was this love , she wondered , that lay upon her eyes like the dew of a Spring morning , that made the air vocal with rapturous song , and wrought white magic in her soul ? It had all the mystery ind freshness of the world 's beginning ; it was the rush of waters where sea and river meet , the perfume of a flower , and the far light trembling from a star . It was sunrise where there had been no day , the ecstasy of a thousand dawns ; a new sun gleaming upon noon . All the joy of the world surged and beat in her pulses , till it seemed that her heart had wings . Sunset came upon the water , the colour on the horizon reflecting soft iridescence upon the blue . Slow sapphire surges broke at her feet , tossing great pearls of spray against the cliff .