On an Annular Eclipse of the Sun in a Storm

Charles Tennyson Turner

1808 to 1879

Poem Image

'To-morrow is the great Eclipse,' we said:
'The moon shall be an island in the sun!'
Though, when we came to gaze, the rack went on
Tumultuously, and all our hopes betrayed;
But, where the scud ran thinner, we perceived
Hustling along, a strange-compounded form, 
Half glitter and half gloom — the sun aggrieved,
And the black moon, confederate with the storm
Against mankind. My next thought brought me ease:
Methought, 'A segment of yon hard dark sphere
Shall borrow light for us, and reappear,
Friendly as Hesper, — and, i' th' evening breeze,
Wander and flash behind the dusking trees,
Or guide the boatman on yon stormy mere.'