The Moon and Sin, an Illustration

When the moon's edge grows dim, then blurr'd and rough,
And darkness quarries in her lessening orb,
She yields an image, true and stern enough,
Of all those crimes and sorrows, which absorb
Our hope and life! The thievish shadow sits
On her smooth rim at first, like Adam's sin;
But soon the encroaching gloom its way doth win,
And with a stealth that never intermits,
Eats out her glory; but the moon expands
Once more, and brightens to a perfect sphere,
A blessed restoration, full and clear;
So Christ refills our waning world, and stands
For her lost light: O Saviour ever dear!
Soon shall Thy name be known throughout all lands.