Who shall describe the brave splendor of a November

sky that this morning burst through the lattice for me,

on my bed? According to terrestrial calculations, above

the horizon, in the east, there rose one rod of rainbow [20]

hues, crowned with an acre of eldritch ebony. Little

by little this topmost pall, drooping over a deeply daz-

zling sunlight, softened, grew gray, then gay, and glided

into a glory of mottled marvels. Fleecy, faint, fairy

blue and golden flecks came out on a background of [25]

cerulean hue; while the lower lines of light kindled into

gold, orange, pink, crimson, violet; and diamond, topaz,

opal, garnet, turquoise, and sapphire spangled the gloom

in celestial space as with the brightness of His glory.

Then thought I, What are we, that He who fashions for- [30]