noon
She looked after the troop for some time with intense longing . But as it disappeared more and more into the distance , the joyous courage with which her lover 's visit had imbued her , gradually forsook her . Sad forebodings arose in her heart , and she unconsciously expressed her feelings in the words of her beloved Homer : '' ` Achilles , too , thou see ` st ; how stalwart , tall , and fair ! Yet must he yield to death and stubborn fate , Whene'er at morn , or noon , or eve , the spear Or arrow from the bow may reach his life . ' '' Sighing painfully , she left the quickly darkening garden , and entered the damp walls of the convent . Meanwhile King Witichis , in his armed city of Ravenna , displayed all the arts and activity of an experienced general . As , week by week , and day by day , larger or smaller divisions of the Gothic troops which had been treacherously sent to the frontiers by Theodahad , returned to the city , the King was unceasingly occupied in arming , training , and regulating the whole army , which was gradually to be brought to the number of a hundred and fifty thousand .