Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MOON, by RICHARD SOLOMON GEDNEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MOON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now gently night steals on, and deep'ning shades
Last Line: Thou givest peace and sweet forgetfulness!
Subject(s): Memory; Moon; Night; Peace; Thought; Bedtime; Thinking


Now gently Night steals on, and deep'ning shades
Have cloth'd all nature in a sombre hue;
Shadows now darken in the forest glades,
And shut their changing vistas from our view.

Where late the huntsman's wild halloo was heard,
Waking loud echoes through the forest green,
A stillness reigns, for hushed is every bird,
Quiet broods o'er all things, save yon running stream,—

That, through the night, while bearing on afar
Its humble tribute to some spreading bay,
Watches the coming of its much-loved star,
And proudly sports and sparkles in her ray!

And now, the full-orbed Moon in golden light,
On the horizon's utmost verge is seen;
Her mellow radiance gilds the gloom of night,
And all so tranquilly she sails serene!

But not alone where all is hushed and fair,
Oh, gentle Moon, dost thou thy rays bestow;
Thou lookest in pity on the haunts of care,
And send'st thy beam to soothe the house of woe!

To the sad sufferer, on his couch of pain,
Thy ray brings peace and tender thoughts of home;
In fancy he is but a boy again,
Untaught by wild ambition far to roam.

He feels once more his mother's warm caress,
And the glad greeting of his sister dear;
His father's voice is raised again to bless,
And old friends welcome him with hearty cheer!

And when the morning comes with garish light,
The pitying strangers on his features trace
A smile still lingering from the dreams of night,
Which e'en Death's stiffening hand could not efface!

And to the maid, who, in her latticed bower,
Sits musing in the still and solemn night,
Thy beam awakens memory's vanished power,
And turns again to scenes of past delight!

She thinks of one who dares the Ocean's wave,
And fears a gale in every gentle breeze;
But feels that He is powerful to save,
Who pours thy radiance over land and seas!

Thus, Queen of Night! to all thy pensive ray
Brings pleasing thoughts and dreams of happiness;
To the tired toiler of the bustling day
Thou givest peace and sweet forgetfulness!





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