The winged Hours! Commission'd in alternate watch they stand, The sun's bright portals, and the skies, command; Close or unfold the eternal gates of day, Bar heaven with clouds, or roll those clouds away. DRYDEN'S VIRGIL. WHAT HOUR DO YOU LOVE? 1. When, from ebon streak, The _moon_ puts forth a little diamond peak, No bigger than an unobserved star, Or tiny point of fairy cimeter; Bright signal, that she only stoops to tie Her silver sandals, ere deliciously She bows into the heavens her timid head. KEATS. 2. When _morning_ cometh, with a still And gliding mystery, on the breaking gray Of the fresh east. W. G. SIMMS. 3. When the _stars_ are out-- Cold, but still beautiful,--a crowded choir, Harmonious in their heavenly minstrelsy. RUFUS DAWES. 4. When blue-eyed day Has yielded up her regency, and _night_, Exceeding beautiful, resumes her right As solemn watchman. MISS M. E. LEE. 5. When sunk the sun, and up the eastern heaven, Like maiden on a lonely pilgrimage, Moves the meek star of eve. MILMAN. 6. When _Phoebus_, fresh as bridegroom to his mate, Comes dauncing forth, shaking his dewie hayre, And hurls his glistering beams through gloomy ayre. SPENSER. 7. When on the sunlit limits of the night, Her white shell trembling amid crimson air, Glides the _young moon_. SHELLEY. 8. When clouds lay cradled near the _setting sun_, And gleams of crimson tinge their braided snow. WILSON. 9. When the glorious sun has gone, And the gathering darkness of _night comes on_; Like a curtain from God's kind hand it flows, To shade the couch where his children repose. H. WARE, JR. 10. You love the deep, deep pause, that reigns At _highest noon_, o'er hills and plains. CARRINGTON. 11. When the stars do disappear, With only one remaining, The morning star alone; Just like a maid complaining, When all her hopes are gone. WILLIAM CRAFTS. 12. When climbs above the eastern bar The _horned moon_, with one bright star Within the nether lip. COLERIDGE. 13. When comes forth the _glorious day_, Like a bridegroom richly dight, And before his flashing ray Flies the sullen, vanquish'd night. S. G. BULFINCH. 14. When Apollo doth devise new apparelling for western skies. KEATS. 15. Ere the evening lamps are lighted, And like phantoms, grim and tall, Shadows from the fitful fire-light, Dance upon the parlor wall.