These pitchy curtains drew 'twixt earth and heaven

And as Night's chariot through the air was driven,

Clamour grew dumb, unheard was shepherd's song

And silence girt the woods; no warbling tongue

Talk'd to the Echo; satyrs broke their dance,

And all the upper world lay in a trance.

Only the curled streams soft chidings kept;

And little gales that from the green leaf swept

Dry summer's dust, in fearful whisp'rings stirred.

As loath to waken any singing bird.