Vision of the Night

A SOFT young moon among the trees
Nor lights the valley-side, nor these ;
Only faint illumes a hill
Far over me, where pale and still
A fane 'mid habitations fair,
Gemmed with mild fires, inhabits air
Of clear May midnight ; nightingales
Lull the lonely-lying vales ;
Living stars above are set,
As in adoration met.
Yon hill appears a holy hope,
Far beyond our earthly scope.
Ghostly gleaming in the cope
Of heaven, revealed, anon withdrawn.
But I have felt the vision dawn.
Hallowing my lonely lawn.
So I may wait, tho' all be gloom,
Till the eternal day illume.

Ceriana.