Starfall

It may not be uninteresting to state that a brilliant and persistent rain of meteors, observed on the same November night both here and at Muscat, has been regarded as the certain sign and portent of ills present and to come, by Arabs in high places, who associate the troubles in the interior and along the Arabian coast with this splendid starfall.

Although there was no display of the November meteors last year [1867] in any part of Europe, yet the calculations of astronomers respecting the hour and character of the starfall accorded very closely with the results actually observed.

More than thirty-four thousand stars fell in one hour, and the starfall continued all night.

That was just a guess. Man had leaped into space with a new drive, had made starfalls on Procyon, 61 Cygni, Sirius, Altair, all within the fifteen light-year range of the first generation of engines.

And how shall Philomel, by song oppressed, At starfall seek to lure me from my rest, When haply, lost in slumber, I may hear Young Cupid harping in that clovered breast?

It is quiet and fire of dreams, and at the last/The gathering from wild rushes at starfall/Their bed and weary sleep.

While the Bedouin Carries the same tent Over deserts unlocalized, At starfall pitches in whatever Plot, home's continuance.

Had I but told them my heart, told how it was Taunted at noon and pacified at dusk, at starfall midnight Strong in hope once more, ever in eagerness Jumping like joy, would they have heard?