The myriads of mankind depart--they die,

They leave no vestige that they once have been,

But thou remain'st forever in the sky,

Renewing thy existence--night's fair queen!

The moon ... was now emerging from the heavy clouds,

And looking through their shatter'd folds, like hope,

Upon the ills and sorrows of mankind.

Time treads down empires.

I loved thee, gentle moon! thou wert to me

Brother and sister and companion--all

My kin, while standing on the silent lea

I watch'd thy glory in the starry hall;

And thy white beams like shower of diamonds fall

Upon the azure desert; lovely light,

Sure thou wert fashion'd, when Sin's fatal pall

Was flung o'er earth, to welcome her flight

The lone and weary soul that journeys through the night.