The crystals less limpidity of hue
Than the still lakes or murmuring brooks display.
A gentle breeze, that seemeth still to woo
And never change from its accustomed way,
Made all around so tremulous the air
That no annoyance was the day's hot glare.
(Canto 34.)
Descriptions of time are short:
From the hard face of earth the sun's bright hue
Not yet its veil obscure and dark did rend;