Page:A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields.djvu/182

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eve; the garish day has past! Upon their thrones mysterious rise The silent moon and stars at last: And like a placid lake and vast, My soul reflects them and the skies.

Down, down beneath the waves of thought, The fair lake spreads o'er sands of gold, And there the vault is balanced, wrought In colours softer, vainly sought In the blue pall above unrolled.

Enamoured with the picture grand, At first I gaze, and only gaze; But soon desiring more, my hand I stretch to touch the fairy land, And back recoil in wild amaze.

Sudden departs the starry vault, Departs the light that charmed the view. O foolish poet, thine the fault! That sight no more shall thee exalt: Reflected moon and stars, adieu!