The Vow of the Peacock and Other Poems/The Moon

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

For other versions of this work, see Moon (L. E. L.).

MOON.

The Moon is sailing o'er the sky,
    But lonely all, as if she pined
For somewhat of companionship,
    And felt it was in vain she shined:

Earth is her mirror, and the stars
    Are as the court around her throne;
She is a beauty and a queen;
    But what is this? she is alone.

Is there not one—not one—to share
    Thy glorious royalty on high?

I cannot choose but pity thee,
    Thou lovely orphan of the sky.

I'd rather be the meanest flower
    That grows, my mother Earth, on thee,
So there were others of my kin,
    To blossom, bloom, droop, die with me.

Earth, thou hast sorrow, grief, and death;
    But with these better could I bear,
Than reach and rule yon radiant sphere,
    And be a Solitary there.