["No faculty yet given me to espy The dusky Shape within her arms imbound." Afterwards, when I could not avoid seeing it, I wondered at this, and the more so because, like most children, I had been in the habit of watching the moon through all her changes, and had often continued to gaze at it when at the full till half blinded.--I. F.] From 1827 to 1842, one of the "Epitaphs and Elegiac Poems." In 1845 transferred to the "Miscellaneous Poems."--ED. Once I could hail (howe'er serene the sky) The Moon re-entering her monthly round, No faculty yet given me to espy The dusky Shape within her arms imbound, That thin memento of effulgence lost 5 Which some have named her Predecessor's ghost. Young, like the Crescent that above me shone, Nought I perceived within it dull or dim; All that appeared was suitable to One Whose fancy had a thousand fields to skim; 10 To expectations spreading with wild growth, And hope that kept with me her plighted troth. I saw (ambition quickening at the view) A silver boat launched on a boundless flood; A pearly crest, like Dian's when it threw 15 Its brightest splendour round a leafy wood; But not a hint from under-ground, no sign Fit for the glimmering brow of Proserpine.[428] Or was it Dian's self[428] that seemed to move Before me?--nothing blemished the fair sight; 20 On her I looked whom jocund Fairies love, Cynthia,[428] who puts the _little_ stars to flight, And by that thinning magnifies the great, For exaltation of her sovereign state. And when I learned to mark the spectral Shape 25 As each new Moon obeyed the call of Time, If gloom fell on me, swift was my escape; Such happy privilege hath life's gay Prime, To see or not to see, as best may please A buoyant Spirit, and a heart at ease. 30 Now, dazzling Stranger! when thou meet'st my glance, Thy dark Associate ever I discern; Emblem of thoughts too eager to advance While I salute my joys, thoughts sad or stern; Shades of past bliss, or phantoms that, to gain 35 Their fill of promised lustre, wait in vain. So changes mortal Life with fleeting years; A mournful change, should Reason fail to bring The timely insight that can temper fears, And from vicissitude remove its sting; 40 While Faith aspires to seats in that domain Where joys are perfect--neither wax nor wane. FOOTNOTES: [428] Terret, lustrat, agit, Proserpina, Luna, Diana; Ima, suprema, feras, sceptro, fulgore, sagitta.--ED. "THE MASSY WAYS, CARRIED ACROSS THESE HEIGHTS" Composed 1826.--Published 1835[429]