Poems (Browning)/The Night Cloud
The Night Cloud
And as a moonbeam steals away, An iridescent phantom ray,So life is but a candle's flame, A little glimmer, then is gone;Bright though the candle glowed before, A smile, a tear, and then no more.We tremble, for our faith is weak; O why must life these changes seek?We turn in wonder, gazing still, For yonder on the moonlit hillThe beam is gone, but at its ledge A cloud shines with a silver edge.