While, compassing the little mount around, The power is merged, the pomp a grave has found. DESPOND Who will-I heard a voice exclaim, Though fierce the assault, and shatter'd the defence, The glorious work of time and providence, Should fall; that She, whose virtue put to shame, That orb whose beams round Saxon Alfred shone: Then laugh, ye innocent Vales! ye Streams, sweep on, Toss in the fanning wind a humbler plume." XXIII. IN THE FRITH OF CLYDE, AILSA CRAG. DURING AN ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, JULY 17. [THE morning of the eclipse was exquisitely beautiful while we passed the Crag as described in the Sonnet. On the deck of the steam-boat were several persons of the poor and labouring class, and I could not but be struck by their cheerful talk with each other, while not one of them seemed to notice the magnificent objects with which we were surrounded; and even the phenomenon of the eclipse attracted but little of their attention. Was it right not to regret this? They appeared to me, however, so much alive in their own minds to their own concerns that I could not look upon it as a misfortune that they had little perception for such pleasures as cannot be cultivated without ease and leisure. Yet, if one surveys life in all its duties and relations, such ease and leisure will not be found so enviable a privilege as it may at first appear. Natural Philosophy, Painting, and Poetry, and refined taste, are no doubt great acquisitions to society; but, among those who dedicate themselves to such pursuits, it is to be feared that few are as happy, and as consistent in the management of their lives, as the class of persons who at that time led me into this course of reflection. I do not mean by this to be understood to derogate from intellectual pursuits, for that would be monstrous: I say it in deep gratitude for this compensation to those whose cares are limited to the necessities of daily life. Among them, self-tormentors, so numerous in the higher classes of society, are rare.] SINCE risen from ocean, ocean to defy, Appeared the crag of Ailsa, ne'er did morn Towering above the sea and little ships; Each for her haven; with her freight of Care, Though poor, yet rich, without the wealth of books, XXIV. ON THE FRITH OF CLYDE. (IN A STEAM-BOAT.) [THE mountain outline on the north of this island, as seen from the Frith of Clyde, is much the finest I have ever noticed in Scotland or elsewhere.] ARRAN! a single-crested Teneriffe, A St. Helena next-in shape and hue, Varying her crowded peaks and ridges blue; XXV. ON BEVISITING DUNOLLY CASTLE. [See former series, "Yarrow Revisited," &c., p. 104.] THE captive Bird was gone ;-to cliff or moor Of art mosaic, in a roofless floor, An Eagle with stretched wings, but beamless eye- To call thee so?) or symbol of fierce deeds XXVI. THE DUNOLLY EAGLE. ; Nor to the clouds, not to the cliff, he flew Now, near his master's house in open view Look to thy plumage and thy life!—The roe, Eyeing the sea's blue depths. Poor Bird! even so XXVII. WRITTEN IN A BLANK LEAF OF MACPHERSON'S [THE verses OSSIAN. or strayed From hope and promise, self-betrayed. were, I am sorry to say, suggested from apprehensions of the OFT have I caught, upon a fitful breeze, With ear not coveting the whole, Loose vapours Prismatic colours from the sun; Nor felt a wish that heaven would show The image of its perfect bow. |