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!