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Of heaven, revealed, anon withdrawn.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 lowly lawn.
So I may wait, tho' all be gloom,
Till the eternal day illume.
Ceriana.