WHEREIN, UNLIKE THE GENERAL RUN OF LOVERS, HE PREFERS THE MORNING

They hate the dawn, they hunger for the twilight,
These lovers rapt in bright tranquillity;
But nightfall aggravates my misery;
My brighter moment blossoms with the shy light
Of dawn, when Nature's flaming light and my light,
My Laura, both arise and both agree
In lustre and in loveliness... And see!
Heaven hangs on Earth, blending his brilliant high light
With Earth's gray! As when bursts in quick green fire
That Laurel, now so rooted in my soul,
I cherish more than self another's name.
Thus day opposes light and dark: control
Of reason that can bridle hot desire,
And fear and hate that fang the hissing flame.