The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Croly :: :: University of Virginia Library

Sebastian from his couch arose. The moon
Reign'd in full radiance o'er the sky of June,
Far round the vassal stars withdrew their fires.
He lean'd his folded arms and high pale brow
Against the casement's side. The light below
Fell, snowlike, thick, on palace-roofs and spires:
“'Twas a vain world.” He cast his eye above,
And gave the musings way, that scarcely move
Th'unconscious lip: the breathings of the soul.
“How lovely dost thou in thy blue heaven roll,
Shadow of Him whom none can see, and live.
Yet what forbade thy mighty orb to give
His fiery splendours? on night's fearful hour
To lift the image of consuming power?
Sweet moon, that look of soft tranquillity
Was given in mercy to the sleepless eye;

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To cheer the tossing brow on fever's bed;
To calm the midnight weeper o'er the dead;
To raise the houseless wretch that sees thy beam,
To thoughts of hours when life shall be no dream.