The forms eternal of created things: The radiant sun; the moon's nocturnal lamp; 110 The mountains and the streams; the ample stores Of earth, of heaven, of nature. From the first, On that full scene his love divine he fix'd, His admiration; till, in time complete, What he admir'd and lov'd, his vital power 115 Unfolded into being. Hence the breath Of life informing each organic frame; Hence the green earth, and wild-resounding waves; Hence light and shade, alternate; warmth and cold; And bright autumnal skies, and vernal showers, 120 And all the fair variety of things. But not alike to every mortal eye Is this great scene unveil'd. For while the claims Of social life to different labors urge 1 kaiser; emperor 150 (As far as mortal eyes the portrait scan) Those lineaments of beauty which delight The Mind Supreme. They also feel their force, Enamor'd: they partake the eternal joy. For as old Memnon's image long renown'd Through fabling Egypt, at the genial touch Of morning, from its inmost frame sent forth Spontaneous music; so doth Nature's hand, To certain attributes which matter claims. 155 Adapt the finer organs of the mind: So the glad impulse of those kindred Detains the enliven'd sense; till soon the soul Feels the deep concord, and assents through all 160 Her functions. Then the charm by fate prepar'd Diffuseth its enchantment. Fancy dreams, Rapt into high discourse with prophets old, And wandering through Elysium, Fancy dreams Of sacred fountains, of o'ershadowing groves, Which murmureth at his feet? Where does the soul Consent her soaring fancy to restrain, 240 Which bears her up, as on an eagle's wings, Destin'd for highest heaven; or which of fate's Tremendous barriers shall confine her flight To any humbler quarry?1 The rich earth Cannot detain her; nor the ambient2 air 165 Whose walks with godlike harmony re- 245 With all its changes. For a while with This pleasing call the herald of a lie, To hide the shame of discord and dis- 580 And the slow weed which pines on Rus sian hills, With honeysuckle covered. Here, at noon, Lulled by the murmur of my rising fount, 10 I slumber; here my clustering fruits I tend; Or from the humid flowers, at break of day, Fresh garlands weave, and chase from all my bounds Each thing impure or noxious. Enter in, O stranger, undismayed. Nor bat nor toad 15 Here lurks: and if thy breast of blameless thoughts Approve1 thee, not unwelcome shalt thou tread My quiet mansion; chiefly, if thy name Wise Pallas and the immortal Muses own. ODE TO THE EVENING STAR Tonight retired, the queen of heaven? 0 Hesper, while the starry throng So may the bridegroom's genial strain 15 So may the bride's unmarried train |