The Shepherd, looking eastward, softly said, br "Bright is thy veil, O Moon, as thou art bright!" br Forthwith, that little cloud, in ether spread br And penetrated all with tender light, br She cast away, and showed her fulgent head br Uncovered; dazzling the Beholder's sight br As if to vindicate her beauty's right br Her beauty thoughtlessly disparaged. br Meanwhile that veil, removed or thrown aside, br Went floating from her, darkening as it went; br And a huge mass, to bury or to hide, br Approached this glory of the firmament; br Who meekly yields, and is obscured--content br With one calm triumph of a modest pride.