Snug as a child that hides itself in sport 'Mid a green haycock in a sunny field. We spake he made reply, but would not stir At our entreaty; less from want of power Than apprehension and bewildering thoughts. So was he lifted gently from the ground, And with their freight the shepherds homeward mi Through the dull mist, I following-when a step, A single step, that freed me from the skirts Of the blind vapour, opened to my view Glory beyond all glory ever seen
By waking sense, or by the dreaming soul! Though I am conscious that no power of words Can body forth, no hues of speech can paint That gorgeous spectacle-too bright and fair Even for remembrance; yet the attempt may give Collateral interest to this homely tale. The appearance, instantaneously disclosed, Was of a mighty city-boldly say
A wilderness of building-sinking far And self-withdrawn into a boundless depth, Far sinking into splendour-without end! Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold, With alabaster domes and silver spires; And blazing terrace upon terrace, high Uplifted here, serene pavilions bright, In avenues disposed; there, towers begirt With battlements, that on their restless fronts Bore stars-illumination of all gems!
By earthly nature had the effect been wrought
Upon the dark materials of the storm
Now pacified; on them, and on the coves.
And mountain-steeps and summits, whereunto
The vapours had receded, taking there
Their station under a cerulean sky.
O, 't was an unimaginable sight!
Clouds, mists, streams, watery rocks, and emerald turk,
Clouds of all tincture, rocks and sapphire sky, Confused, commingled, mutually inflamed, Molten together, and composing thus, Each lost in each, that marvellous array O temple, palace, citadel, and huge Fantastic pomp of structure, without name,
In fleecy folds voluminous enwrapped.
Right in the midst, where interspace appeared Of open court, an object like a throne
Under a shining canopy of state
Stood fixed; and fixed resemblances were seen
To implements of ordinary use,
But vast in size, in substance glorified;
Such as by Hebrew Prophets were beheld In vision-forms uncouth of mightiest power, For admiration and mysterious awe. Below me was the earth; this little vale Lay low beneath my feet; 't was visible— I saw not, but I felt, that it was there. That which I saw was the revealed abode Of Spirits in beatitude: my heart
I have been dead,' I cried, And now I live! Oh! wherefore do I live?' And with that pang I prayed to be no more! But I forget our charge-as utterly
I then forgot him-there I stood and gazed; The apparition faded not away,
And I descended. Having reached the house, I found its rescued inmate safely lodged,
And in serene possession of himself, Beside a genial fire that seemed to spread A gleam of comfort o'er his pallid face.
Great show of joy the Housewife made, and truly Was glad to find her conscience set at ease; And not less glad, for sake of her good name, That the poor sufferer had escaped with life. But, though he seemed at first to have received No harm, and uncomplaining as before Went through his usual tasks, a silent change Soon showed itself; he lingered three short weeks; And from the Cottage hath been borne to-day. "So ends my dolorous tale, and glad I am That it is ended." At these words he turned- And, with blithe air of open fellowship, Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer, Like one who would be merry. Seeing this,
My grey-haired Friend said courteously-"Nay, nay, You have regaled us as a hermit ought;
Now let us forth into the sun!" Our Host Rose, though reluctantly, and forth we went.
THE AFFLICTION OF MARGARET.
WHERE art thou, my beloved Son, Where art thou, worse to me than dead? Oh find me, prosperous or undone ! Or, if the grave be now thy bed, Why am I ignorant of the same, That I may rest; and neither blame Nor sorrow may attend thy name?
Seven years, alas! to have received No tidings of an only Child;
To have despaired, and have believed, And be for evermore beguil'd; Sometimes with thoughts of very bliss, I catch at them, and then I miss;
Was ever darkness like to this?
He was among the prime in worth,
An object beauteous to behold;
Well born, well bred; I sent him forth Ingenious, innocent, and bold:
If things ensued that wanted grace, As hath been said, they were not base;
And never blush was on my face.
Ah! little doth the young one dream, When full of play and childish cares, What power hath even his wildest scream, Heard by his mother unawares! He knows it not, he cannot guess: Years to a mother bring distress;
But do not make her love the less.
Neglect me! no, I suffered long
From that ill thought, and, being blind, Said, "Pride shall help me in my wrong: Kind mother have I been, as kind As ever breathed:" and that is true; I've wet my path with tears like dew, Weeping for him when no one knew.
My Son, if thou be humbled, poor, Hopeless of honour and of gain, Oh! do not dread thy Mother's door; Think not of me with grief and pain: I now can see with better eyes; And worldly grandeur I despise, And Fortune with her gifts and lies.
Alas! the fowls of heaven have wings, And blasts of heaven will aid their flight; They mount, how short a voyage brings The wanderers back to their delight! Chains tie us down by land and sea; And wishes, vain as mine, may be All that is left to comfort thee.
Perhaps some dungeon hears thee groan, Maimed, mangled by inhuman men;
Or thou upon a desert thrown
Inheritest the lion's den;
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