THE silken web of the moon

Is fallen on the sea :

Silence bereaved set free

An old and a new tune.

Swing slow, swing low.

Gently your pinions lifting.

Swing low, swing slow,

Starlight your pinions sifting.

Swing slow, swing low,

Silent and moonwardly drifting.

From this moon so nearly full

Gaze upon crescent earth

Sad children of lunar dearth

Fain would pull.

Swing by, swing nigh,

You are an earthbeam here.

Swing nigh, swing by,

Scatter earthshine from your hair.

Swing by, swing nigh,

On deadness and shadowscape drear.

Starkly that silver tomb

Eschewed, receding—

Hail to new glories breeding

In earth's womb.

Swing fast, swing past,

Life's cry through the silence seeping.

Swing past, swing fast,

Song wards and earthwards leaping.

Swing fast, swing past.

No more by death-tide neaping.