Low in the southwestern sky, shortly after sunset, the (relatively new) moon and Venus, to the left, were quite close together. Furthermore, the outline of the dark part of the moon could be seen in the crescent of the new moon (caused by earthlight). Unusual and spectacular!
'Late, late yestre'en I saw the new moon
Wi'the old moon in his arm,
And I fear, I fear, my dear master,
That we will come to harm.'
— Anonymous, "Sir Patrick Spens"