An hour ago the black night turned to gray,

And gray to paler gray. Now houses hidden in the night

Have come to view, and stars have gone away,

Hiding their faces from the coming light.

The grass is fresh-washed with the dew

And sparkles, and a softly moving breeze

Stirs lightly, breathes on the roofs anew,

And whispers in the sleepy trees.

O'er all the city is a gathering noise

Of many people wakening, and the early sun

Warms the cold streets and cheers the paper boys,

And from the chimneys, smoke goes up. The Day's begun.