| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | IV. Moonlight in June | | By James Dixon (1814–1873) |
| | | THOU hast a gentle ministry, O Moon! | |
| Riding in solemn silence through the sky, | |
| And gazing from thy trackless path on high | |
| Upon the beauty of the leafy June: | |
| On such a lovely night, I ween, as this, | 5 |
| ENDYMION felt thy pale lip’s dewy kiss; | |
| For far around on every plain and hill, | |
| In the soft gleaming of thy gleaming ray, | |
| Flower, tree, and forest, breathless now and still, | |
| Rest from the burning brightness of the day; | 10 |
| Silence is over all. Yon murmuring rill | |
| Alone leaps gladly on its tireless way: | |
| In thy soft rays how beautiful is Night! | |
| Like man’s cloud-covered path, by woman’s love made bright! | | | | |
|
|
