O, swear not by the moon, th’inconstant moon,
Who heralds the coming of sun and snow,
Foretells the arrival of drought and monsoon,
Farmers bless’d with prosperity and growth.
O, trust not the moon, which waxes and wanes.
The fisherman who sails the starlight sea,
Rowing away from the encroaching day,
Filling his net with a slivery bounty.
O, rely not upon that lunatic,
By artists and fools, admired alike.
Mysterious romance that captivates,
Such splendour that attracts the mortal sight.
O, capricious, many-faced disc of light,
O, beautiful traveller of the night.