Sonnet: To the Autumnal Moon

Mild Splendour of the various-vested Night!

       &nbspMother of wildly-working visions! hail!

I watch thy gliding, while with watery light

       &nbspThy weak eye glimmers through a fleecy veil;

And when thou lovest thy pale orb to shroud

       &nbspBehind the gather'd blackness lost on high;

And when thou dartest from the wind-rent cloud

       &nbspThy placid lightning o'er the awaken'd sky.



Ah such is Hope! as changeful and as fair!

Now dimly peering on the wistful sight;

       &nbspNow hid behind the dragon-wing'd Despair:

But soon emerging in her radiant might

       &nbspShe o'er the sorrow-clouded breast of Care

Sails, like a meteor kindling in its flight.