O fair full moon, that did'st embay the dark With slender horns, when first my vow was made; I saw thee grow, half-trustful, half-afraid, But still prest onward to my goal and mark; Hard task was mine! the true prayer to be prayed - The bidding back of all my coward fears - The ointment to be bought, the homage paid - The feet of Jesus to be kiss'd with tears. Yet soon the creeping shade will come again, And drown thy snowy forelands night by night; For thy sole function is to wax and wane: But faith must keep her victories of light, Else were it better far to see thee shine, With comfortable eyes of sheep and kine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MESSIAH; A SACRED ECLOGUE IN IMITATION OF VIRGIL'S POLLIO by ALEXANDER POPE MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 11 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 51. ASH-SHAHID by EDWIN ARNOLD SONNET FROM JAPAN: 1. THE SPELL by ADELAIDE NICHOLS BAKER LEAVES A-VALLEN by WILLIAM BARNES |