Where winds and waters cease to strive, For no unholy visitings, Among the monsters of the Deep, But oh! what transports, what sublime reward, Won from the world of mind, dost thou prepare For philosophic Sage; or high-souled Bard, Who, for thy service trained in lonely woods, Hath fed on pageants floating through the air, Or calentured in depth of limpid floods; Nor grieves, tho' doomed thro' silent night to bear The domination of his glorious themes, Or struggle in the network of thy dreams! III. If there be movements in the Patriot's soul, 'Tis thine the quickening impulse to control, And in due season send the mandate forth; Thy call a prostrate Nation can restore, When but a single Mind resolves to crouch no more. IV. Dread Minister of wrath! Who to their destined punishment dost urge The Pharaohs of the earth, the men of hardened heart! Not unassisted by the flattering stars, Thou strew'st temptation o'er the path With trampling horses and refulgent cars,- Or cast, for lingering death, on unknown strands; Or caught amid a whirl of desert sands, An army now, and now a living hill That a brief while heaves with convulsive throes, - Or, to forget their madness and their woes, V. Back flows the willing current of my Song: Bold Goddess! range our Youth among; Nor let thy genuine impulse fail to beat In hearts no longer young Still may a veteran Few have pride In thoughts whose sternness makes them sweet; And withered leaves, from earth's cold breast VI. But, if such homage thou disdain As doth with mellowing years agree, In presence of their heedless dams, Vouchsafes her lessons, bounteous Nymph She, who inspires that strain of joyance holy Which the sweet Bird, misnamed the melancholy, Pours forth in shady groves, shall plead for me; And vernal mornings opening bright With views of undefined delight, And cheerful songs, and suns that shine On busy days, with thankful nights, be mine. VII. But thou, O Goddess! in thy favorite Isle The wide earth's storehouse fenced about And Love, when worthiest of his name, XXXV. то ON HER FIRST ASCENT TO THE SUMMIT OF HELVELLYN INMATE of a mountain dwelling, Thou hast clomb aloft, and gazed Awed, delighted, and amazed! Potent was the spell that bound thee, Not unwilling to obey; For blue Ether's arms, flung round thee, Lo the dwindled woods and meadows! What a vast abyss is there! Lo the clouds, the solemn shadows, And the glistenings, heavenly fair! And a record of commotion Which a thousand ridges yield; - Maiden! now take flight; inherit Or survey their bright dominions Thine are all the coral fountains Of the untrodden lunar mountains; To Niphates' top invited, |