27.12.2010, 11:35
AN APPLICATION OF THE WAXING MOON.
O fair full moon, that did'st embay the dark
With slender horns, when first my vow was made ;
1 saw thee grow, half-trustful, half-afraid,
But still prest onward to my goal and mark ;
Hard task was mine ! the true prayer to be pray'd —
The bidding back of all my coward fears —
The ointment to be bought, the homage paid —
The feet of Jesus to be kiss'd with tears.
Yet soon the creeping shade will come again,
And drown thy snowy forelands night by night ;
For thy sole function is to wax and wane :
But faith must keep her victories of light,
Else were it better far to see thee shine.
With comfortable eyes of sheep and kine.
O fair full moon, that did'st embay the dark
With slender horns, when first my vow was made ;
1 saw thee grow, half-trustful, half-afraid,
But still prest onward to my goal and mark ;
Hard task was mine ! the true prayer to be pray'd —
The bidding back of all my coward fears —
The ointment to be bought, the homage paid —
The feet of Jesus to be kiss'd with tears.
Yet soon the creeping shade will come again,
And drown thy snowy forelands night by night ;
For thy sole function is to wax and wane :
But faith must keep her victories of light,
Else were it better far to see thee shine.
With comfortable eyes of sheep and kine.