There was a moon that shone above the ground Where on a grassy forest height I stood; Bright was that open place, and all around The dense discovered treetops of the wood, Line after line, in misty radiance glistened, Failing away. I watched the scene and listened; Then, awed and hushed, I turned and saw alone. Protruding from the middle of the mound, Fringed with close grass, a moonlight-mottled stone, Rough-carven, of antiquity unknown. 9 A night there was, a crowd, a narrow street, Torches that reddened faces drunk with dreams; An orator exultant in defeat; Banners, fierce songs, rough cheering, women's screams; My heart was one with those rebellious people, Until along a chapel's pointing steeple My eyes unwitting wandered, and I found A moon, and clouds a swift and ragged sheet; And in my spirit's life all human din Died, and eternal Silence stood within. 10 And once, on a far evening, warm and still, I leant upon a cool stone parapet. The quays and houses underneath the hill Twinkled with lights; I heard the sea's faint fret; And then above the eastern cape's long billow Silent there welled a trembling line of yellow, A shred that quickened, then a half that grew To a full moon, that moved with even will. The night was long before her, well she knew, And, as she slowly rose into the blue, 11 She slowly paled, and, glittering far away Flung on the silken waters like a spear, Her crispèd silver shaft of moonlight lay. The lighthouse lamp upon the little pier Burned wanly by that radiance clear and certain. Waiting I knew not what uplifted curtain, I watched the unmoving world beneath my feet Till, without warning, miles across the bay, Into that silver out of shadows beat, Dead black, the whole mysterious fishing-fleet. 12 These moons I have seen, but these and every one Came each so new it seemed to be the first, New as the buds that open to the sun, New as the songs that to the morning burst. The roses die, each day fresh flowers are springing, Last year it was another blackbird singing, Thou only, marvellous blossom, whose pale flower Beyond mankind's conjecture hath begun, Retain'st for ever an unwithering power That stales the loveliest stranger of an hour. 13