Classic Poem

What though the sun had left my sky;
To save me from despair
The blessed moon arose on high
And shone serenely there.

I watched her with a tearful gaze
Rise slowly o'ver the hill;
While through the dim horizon's haze
Her light gleamed faint and chill.

I thought such wan and lifeless beams
Could ne'er my heart repay
For the bright sun's most transient gleams
That cheered me through the day.

But as above that mist's control
She rose and brighter shone
I felt her light upon my soul,
But now—that light is gone!

Thick vapours snatched her from my sight
And I was darkling left,
All in the cold and gloomy night
Of light and hope bereft.

Until methought a little star
Shone forth with trembling ray
To cheer me with its light afar,
But that too passed away.

Anon an earthly meteor blazed
The gloomy darkness through.
I smiled yet trembled while I gazed,
But that soon vanished too.

And darker, drearier fell the night
Upon my spirit then;
But what is that faint struggling light—
Is it the moon again?

Kind Heaven, increase that silvery gleam
And bid these clouds depart;
And let her kind and holy beam
Restore my fainting heart.