The beautiful and slender young New Moon,
In trailing robes of pink and palest blue,
Swept close to Venus, and breathed low: ‘A boon,
A precious boon, I ask, dear friend, of you.’
‘O queen of light and beauty, you have known
The pangs of love – its passions and alarms;
Then grant me this one favour, let my own –
My lost Old Moon be once more in my arms.’
Swift thro’ the vapours and the golden mist –
The Full Moon’s shadowy shape shone on the night,
The New Moon reached out clasping arms and kissed
Her phantom lover in the whole world’s sight.
