The Stars

With joy in your heart and a smile on your lips You admired the soft Southern night, And do you know when your beautiful eyes Were remarked, all the stars at the sight Were put out and turned faint in the skies?

This morning they brought their complaint to the sun— "In ether a star quite unknown! If to-night this same comet shall shine Whose radiance extinguished our own, We must all, our old splendor resign!"

And sadly the sun made them answer,—"Alas! Before her, I am pale at high noon;— See, to-day all is rainy and cold, 'Tis the trace of defeat seen so soon, 'Tis the trace of eclipse you behold!"