A moment, and its glory was no more. The sun went down beneath the long dark lines of hill and cloud which piled up in the west an airy city, wall heaped on wall, and battlement on battlement; the light was all withdrawn; the shining church turned cold and dark; the stream forgot to smile; the birds were silent; and the gloom of winter dwelt on everything.

Summary

This quote describes the fleeting nature of beauty and joy. It depicts a sunset, the moment of its glorious radiance as the sun sets beneath hills and clouds, creating a breathtaking scene. However, this momentary beauty quickly fades away as darkness takes over. The imagery of a once shining church turning cold and dark, a serene stream losing its sparkle, and the silence of birds emphasizes the transformation from light and life to darkness and desolation. This quote serves as a reminder that moments of happiness and beauty are ephemeral, and that winter's gloom eventually prevails over everything.

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