Poems (Dorr)/The Hour
THE HOUR
What is the hour of the day? O watchman, can you tell?Hark! from the tower of Time Strikes the alarum-bell!
The strokes I cannot count. O watchman, can you seeOn the misty dial-plate What hours remain for me?
I know the rosy dawn Faded—how long ago!—Lost in the radiant depths Of morning's golden glow.
Then all the mountain tops Stood breathless at high noon,While earth for brief repose Put off her sandal shoon.
Now faster fly the hours— The afternoon is here;O watchman in the tower, Tell me, is sunset near?
Yet—why care I to know?— Beyond the sunset barsUpon the dead day wait The brightest of the stars!