Half petrified the scene, when not a star

Gleam’d o’er the black infinity of space,

Sudden, the Hermit started from his couch

Fear-struck and trembling! Ev’ry limb was shook

With painful agitation. On his cheek

The blanch’d interpreter of horror mute

Sat terribly impressive! In his breast

The ruddy fount of life convulsive flow’d

And his broad eyes, fix’d motionless as death,

Gaz’d vacantly aghast! His feeble lamp