An Untimely Summons

Or e'er in the East the daylight grows
All topsy-turvy I don my clothes;
And topsy-turvy they now must be:
A summons is here from my lord for me!

Or e'er in the East a ray has shone
All upside down are my garments on;
And upside down they will have to be:
An order is here from my lord for me!

A garden hedge, though of willows slight,
E'en reckless fellows will fear to climb; —
But they who cannot tell dark from light
Will, if not before, be behind the time.