Fluctuations

What though the Sun had left my sky;

To save me from despair

The blessed Moon arose on high,

And shone serenely there.

I watched her, with a tearful gaze,

Rise slowly o'er the hill,

While through the dim horizon's haze

Her light gleamed faint and chill.

I thought such wan and lifeless beams

Could ne'er my heart repay

For the bright sun's most transient gleams

That cheered me through the day:

But, as above that mist's control

She rose, and brighter shone,

I felt her light upon my soul;

But now—that light is gone!

Thick vapours snatched her from my sight,

And I was darkling left,

All in the cold and gloomy night,

Of light and hope bereft:

Until, methought, a little star

Shone forth with trembling ray,

To cheer me with its light afar—

But that, too, passed away.

Anon, an earthly meteor blazed

The gloomy darkness through;

I smiled, yet trembled while I gazed—

But that soon vanished too!

And darker, drearier fell the night

Upon my spirit then;—

But what is that faint struggling light?

Is it the Moon again?

Kind Heaven! increase that silvery gleam

And bid these clouds depart,

And let her soft celestial beam

Restore my fainting heart!