Poems (Trask)/Moonrise
For works with similar titles, see Moonrise.
MOONRISE.
A halo crowns the purple hills,
The heaven in slumberous light distils,
Nature is still, a holy calm
On pulseless wings drops down its balm.
The heaven in slumberous light distils,
Nature is still, a holy calm
On pulseless wings drops down its balm.
On azure seas cloud-vessels sail,
Their white wings flushed with roses pale;
And on the star-gemmed eastern heights
The night her bridal taper lights.
Their white wings flushed with roses pale;
And on the star-gemmed eastern heights
The night her bridal taper lights.
The whip-poor-will in ancient trees
Chants low his sacred melodies,
And from the swell of green uplands
The west wind utters its commands.
Chants low his sacred melodies,
And from the swell of green uplands
The west wind utters its commands.
The lake's soft breast of waveless glass
Is kissed by shadows as they pass;
The great hills lift their regal brows,
Like priests at vespers making vows.
Is kissed by shadows as they pass;
The great hills lift their regal brows,
Like priests at vespers making vows.
The Orient bright and brighter burns,
The primrose tint to crimson turns;
A flash of silver, touched with gold,
Leaps up the sky-steeps, fold on fold.
The primrose tint to crimson turns;
A flash of silver, touched with gold,
Leaps up the sky-steeps, fold on fold.
And, lo! in state, like throned queen,
Through sable distance swims serene
The royal moon, while in their cars
Of gold ride on the glittering stars.
Through sable distance swims serene
The royal moon, while in their cars
Of gold ride on the glittering stars.