quote · Legacy record
When night fell softly on the silent city, A little white moth thro’ my window came Out of the darkness and the shadows dim, Seeking the brightness of my candle’s flame. Around and round the lighted wick he flew, Winging his wonderful and curious flight; And near, and still more near, the circles grew.... And then—the flame no more was bright for him. Then all my heart went out in sudden pity To that small martyr, who had sought for light, And found—his death. O he was fair to die. I rose and snuffed the candle with a sigh.
When night fell softly on the silent city, A little white moth thro’ my window came Out of the darkness and the shadows dim, Seeking the brightness of my candle’s flame. Around and round the lighted wick he flew, Winging his wonderful and curious flight; And near, and still more near, the circles grew.... And then—the flame no more was bright for him. Then all my heart went out in sudden pity To that small martyr, who had sought for light, And found—his death. O he was fair to die. I rose and snuffed the candle with a sigh.
In print by 1921 AD · modern
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Betty Bray (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1921 AD · modern
In print by 1921: recorded in My Commonplace Book (third English edition,1921). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- My Commonplace Book (third English edition,1921) (1921 AD)
Page 155 · printed citation: Betty Bray, September 26, 1920. Aged 14 years. · compiler notes excluded
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.