LESSON XI. 



ON THE MOON. 



He smooth'd the rough-cast Moon's imperfect mold, 



And comb'd her beamy locks with sacred gold : 



Be thou, said he, Queen of the mournful night: 



And as he spoke, she rose oer'clad with light, 



With thousand stars attending OH her train. COWLEY. 



AMID the beauteous scenes which deck the 

 face of nature, there are very few that have a 

 more pleasing effect, than those which are viewed 

 by the light of the Moon. Several of the poets 

 have given noble descriptions of the delightful 

 appearance and effect of a moon-light evening; 

 one of which, by the ancient poet Homer , I shall 

 here insert. 



'. So when the Moon, refulgent lamp of night, 



O'er heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light, 

 AVhen not a breath disturbs the' deep serene, 

 And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene j 

 Around her throne the vivid planets rpll, 

 And stars unnnmber'd gild the glowing pole. 

 O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed, 

 And tip with silver every mountain's head : 



Then 



