31.12.2010, 12:05
ON AN ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN IN A STORM
' To-morrow is the great Eclipse,' we said :
' The moon shall be an island in the sun ! '
Though, when we came to gaze, the rack went on
Tumultuously, and all our hopes betray'd;
But, where the scud ran thinner, we perceived
Hustling along, a strange-compounded form,
Half glitter and half gloom—the sun aggrieved,
And the black moon, confederate with the storm
Against mankind. My next thought brought me ease
Methought, ' A segment of yon hard dark sphere
Shall borrow light for us, and reappear,
Friendly as Hesper,—and, i' the evening breeze,
Wander and flash behind the dusking trees,
Or guide the boatman on yon stormy mere.'
' To-morrow is the great Eclipse,' we said :
' The moon shall be an island in the sun ! '
Though, when we came to gaze, the rack went on
Tumultuously, and all our hopes betray'd;
But, where the scud ran thinner, we perceived
Hustling along, a strange-compounded form,
Half glitter and half gloom—the sun aggrieved,
And the black moon, confederate with the storm
Against mankind. My next thought brought me ease
Methought, ' A segment of yon hard dark sphere
Shall borrow light for us, and reappear,
Friendly as Hesper,—and, i' the evening breeze,
Wander and flash behind the dusking trees,
Or guide the boatman on yon stormy mere.'