The clouds were drifting over the moon at their giddiest speed, at one time wholly obscuring her, at another, suffering her to burst forth in full splendor and shed her light on all the objects around; anon, driving over her again, with increased velocity, and shrouding everything in darkness. – Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers

Thank God, all you who have a spark of rational piety in your hearts, for the glorious commonplace of earth and sky,—for this cloud-embosomed planet in which you pass your lives. – William Smith, Gravenhurst, or Thoughts on Good and Evil, 1862

The night sky is a miracle of infinitude. – Terri Guillemets, “Temere Sætninger: ix,” 2006