Loved haunts like these; the unimprisoned Mind May yet have scope to range among her own, Her thoughts, her images, her high desires. If the dear faculty of sight should fail, Still, it may be allowed me to remember What visionary powers of eye and soul In youth were mine; when, stationed on the top Of some huge hill, expectant, I beheld The sun rise up, from distant climes returned Darkness to chase, and sleep; and bring the day, His bounteous gift! or saw him toward the deep Sink, with a retinue of flaming clouds Attended; then, my spirit was entranced With joy exalted to beatitude; The measure of my soul was filled with bliss, And holiest love; as earth, sea, air, with light, With pomp, with glory, with magnificence! "Those fervent raptures are for ever flown; And, since their date, my soul hath undergone Change manifold, for better or for worse Yet cease I not to struggle, and aspire Heavenward; and chide the part of me that flags, Through sinful choice; or dread necessity On human nature from above imposed. 'T is, by comparison, an easy task Earth to despise; but to converse with heaven, This is not easy: to relinquish all We have, or hope, of happiness and joy, And stand in freedom loosened from this world. I deem not arduous; but must needs confess Yet, through this weakness of the general heart, In that excess which conscience disapproves. Is of such incapacity, methinks, No natural branch; despondency far less; -And if there be whose tender frames have drooped Deem not that proof is here of hope withheld And over-constant yearning;-there, there lies I, speaking now from such disorder free, Nor rapt, nor craving, but in settled peace, In mercy, carried infinite degrees Hope, below this, consists not with belief In perfect wisdom, guiding mightiest power, "Here then we rest; not fearing for our creed Ephemeral offspring of the unblushing world; Distress and care. What then remains?- -To seek Vigils of contemplation; praise; and prayer,- For him, who, seeking faith by virtue, strives To yield entire submission to the law Of conscience, conscience reverenced and obeyed, Endeavor thus to live; these rules regard; These helps solicit; and a steadfast seat Shall then be yours among the happy few Who dwell on earth, yet breathe empyreal air, Sons of the morning. For your nobler part, Ere disencumbered of her mortal chains, Doubt shall be quelled and trouble chased away; With only such degree of sadness left As may support longings of pure desire; And strengthen love, rejoicing secretly In the sublime attractions of the grave." While, in this strain, the venerable Sage Poured forth his aspirations, and announced His judgments, near that lonely house we paced A plot of greensward, seemingly preserved By Nature's care from wreck of scattered stones, And from encroachment of encircling heath: Small space! but, for reiterated steps, Smooth and commodious: as a stately deck Which to and fro the mariner is used To tread for pastime, talking with his mates, Or haply thinking of far-distant friends, While the ship glides before a steady breeze. Stillness prevailed around us: and the voice That spake was capable to lift the soul |