When the spent sun throws up its rays on cloudAnd goes down burning into the gulf below,No voice in nature is heard to cry aloudAt what has happened. Birds, at least must knowIt is the change to darkness in the sky.Murmuring something quiet in her breast,One bird begins to close a faded eye;Or overtaken too far from his nest,Hurrying low above the grove, some waifSwoops just in time to his remembered tree.At most he thinks or twitters softly, 'Safe!Now let the night be dark for all of me
In this passage, the speaker observes the sun setting, casting rays on the clouds while disappearing into the horizon. There is a profound silence in nature, signaling a shift from light to darkness. Despite the absence of loud reactions, birds display subtle signs of sensing this change as one bird begins to close its eye and another hastens back to its nest, indicating a natural instinct to seek safety before nightfall.
The imagery evokes a tranquil yet poignant transition, highlighting how even the quietest moments carry significance. The birds, though not vocal about the day's end, express their awareness through their actions. The last bird's relief at finding safety illustrates a universal theme of seeking comfort in the face of inevitable change, embracing the coming night with a sense of preparedness.
