Poems (Helen Jenkins)/To a Moonbeam
Early Poems.
TO A MOONBEAM.
Bless thee, Moonbeam! peering quaintly
In my window, smiling faintly,
With a look half gay, half saintly!
In my window, smiling faintly,
With a look half gay, half saintly!
Dost thou know why I am sitting
In the twilight shadows flitting,
Till the starry lamps are lighting?
In the twilight shadows flitting,
Till the starry lamps are lighting?
Thinkest thou my heart is weary?
That life's path is growing dreary,
Ever deemed so sweet and flowery?
That life's path is growing dreary,
Ever deemed so sweet and flowery?
No: ah, never! from above me
Would the holy stars reprove me,
Sweetly smiling down, "I love thee."
Would the holy stars reprove me,
Sweetly smiling down, "I love thee."
Is it but a childish dreaming?
Is it but an empty seeming?
Are the stars but coldly gleaming?
Is it but an empty seeming?
Are the stars but coldly gleaming?
Everywhere on earth I move,
Of the hosts beneath, above,
I would ask of all for love;
Of the hosts beneath, above,
I would ask of all for love;
Of the singing birds and flowers,
Of the gently-falling showers,
Of the stilly, moonlit hours,
Of the gently-falling showers,
Of the stilly, moonlit hours,
Of each dear one I may meet,
Of each kindly face I greet;
Give me this panacea sweet!
Of each kindly face I greet;
Give me this panacea sweet!
I've formed for all a standard high;
They do not reach it, nor may I:
The towering cliffs my strength defy.
They do not reach it, nor may I:
The towering cliffs my strength defy.
But there is One who sees and knows
Whence every aspiration flows,
And He each perfect gift bestows.
Whence every aspiration flows,
And He each perfect gift bestows.