Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

John Payne

Die as April’s cowslips die.

Eyes blazed like a bale-fire.

Fled, as the dawn clouds flee before the sun.

Flutters like a flower
Along the glory of the hills.

Merciless as waste desire.

Mild as the moon’s light.

As noiselessly as fairies’ feet that press
The dewdropt grass.

Pale as the ended night.

Sank
As one that kneels before a virgin shrine.

Thick as the violets cluster round the spring.

Translucent as the pearly wave
Of that fair star that rules the night,
With an internal glory bright.

Warm as life.

White as a winter home.

White as is the new blown bell
Of that frail flower that loves the wind.