The New Moon

When, as the garish day is done,
Heaven burns with the descended sun,
'Tis passing sweet to mark,
Amid that flush of crimson light,
The new moon's modest bow grow bright,
As earth and sky grow dark.

Few are the hearts too cold to feel
A thrill of gladness o'er them steal,
When first the wandering eye
Sees faintly, in the evening blaze,
that glimmering curve of tender rays
Just planted in the sky.

The sight of that young crescent brings
Thoughts of all fair and yourthful things-
The hopes of early years;
And childhood's purity and grace,
And joys that like a rainbow chase
The passing shower of tears.

The captive yields him to the dream
Of freedom, when that virgin beam
Comes out upon the air;
And painfully the sick man tries
To fix his dim and burning eyes
On the sweet promise there.

Most welcome to the lover's sight
Glitters that pure, emerging light;
For prattling poets say,
That sweetest is the lovers' walk,
And tenderest is their murmured talk,
Beneath its gentle ray.

And there do graver men behold
A type of errors, loved of old,
Forsaken and forgiven;
And thoughts
and wishes not of earth
Just opening in their early birth,
Like that new light in heaven.

William Cullen Bryant

Biography

William Cullen Bryant was born in Cummington MA on November 3, 1792. He was the son of Dr Peter Bryant who served in both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives. William Cullen Bryant attended Williams College for two years before leaving to persue law studies under Judge Howe of Worthington and Mr. William Baylies of Bridgewater. Bryant was first published at the age of 12 in the Hampshire Gazette. His first major work entitled "Thanatopsis" was written in his 18th year.