O fair full moon, that did'st embay the dark With slender horns, when first my vow was made; I 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 prayed - 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHILD OF THE ROMANS by CARL SANDBURG FOUR LITTLE FOXES by LEW SARETT IMPRESSION DU MATIN by OSCAR WILDE THE STORM by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE BURIAL OF THE DANE by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL CHILDE HAROLD'S PILGRIMAGE: CANTO 2 by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |