AURORA BOREALIS.

O USELESS moon, withdraw thy jealous face,

Or let yon cloud obscure thee; thou great star

Turned pale with envy, shine no more afar,

But in night's mantle bury thy disgrace!

From zenith to horizon, - all the place

From east to west, - yon throbbing glory holds,

And all the north in quivering whiteness folds;

And e'en the southern skies have caught a trace

Of its magnificence; see how it blows

Like wind made visible, with now a flicker,

And then a dazzling blaze! Now darting quicker

Than lightning, now a peaceful gleam it throws, -

A heavenly banner raised for men on high!

An angel's garment trailing through the sky!

B.