view contrasted with sea-like extent of plain fading into the sky; and this again, in an opposite quarter, with an horizon of the loftiest and boldest Alps-unite in composing a prospect more diversified by magnificence, beauty, and sublimity, than perhaps any other point in Europe, of so inconsiderable an elevation, commands. THOU sacred Pile! whose turrets rise To sulphurous bolts a sacrifice, THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, 1820. HIGH on her speculative tower Stood Science, waiting for the hour When Sol was destined to endure That darkening of his radiant face Which Superstition strove to chase, | Erewhile, with rites impure. Afloat beneath Italian skies, Where'er was dipp'd the toiling oar, No vapour stretch'd its wings; no cloud Cast far or near a murky shroud; The sky an azure field display'd; Of all its sparkling rays disarm'd, Or something night and day between, Like moonshine,-but the hue was green; Still moonshine, without shadow, spread On jutting rock, and curvèd shore, Where gazed the peasant from his door, And on the mountain's head. It tinged the Julian steeps, -it lay, But Fancy with the speed of fire 4 The Statues ranged round the spire and along the roof of the Cathedral of Milan, have been found fault with by persons whose exclusive taste is unfortunate for themselves. It is true that the same expense and labour, judiciously directed to purposes more strictly architectural, might have much heightened the general Such (but, O lavish Nature! why festal band. effect of the building; for, seen from the 5 Above the highest circle of figures is a tone of metallic stars. 6 This poem is, I believe, a favourite with all lovers of Wordsworth. Profes sor Wilson says of it, in The Recreations of Christopher North, "we do not hesitate to pronounce The Eclipse of the Sun one of the finest lyrical effusions of combined thought, passion, sentiment, and imagery within the whole compass of poetry." "Sweet HIGHLAND Girl! a very shower But from our course why turn, to tread And there shall bloom, with Thee allied, The Votaress by Lugano's side; And that intrepid Nymph on Uri's steep descried! ELEGIAC STANZAS. The Youth whose death gavo occasion to these elegiac verses was Frederick William Goddard, from Boston in North America. He was in his twentieth year, and had resided for some time with a clergyman in the neighbourhood of Geneva for the completion of his education. Accompanied by a fellow-pupil, a native of Scotland, he had just set out on a Swiss tour when it was his misfortune to fall in with a friend of mine who was hastening to join our party. The travellers, after spending a day together on the road from Berne and Soleure, took leave of each other at night, the young men having intended to proceed directly to Zurich. We ascended the Righi together; and separated at an hour and on a spot well suited to the parting of those who were to meet no more. We had hoped to meet in a few weeks at Geneva; but on the third succeeding day (the 21st of Aug. ust) Mr. Goddard perished, being overset in a boat while crossing the lake of Zurich. LULL'D by the sound of pastoral bells, The sky was blue, the air was mild; And we were gay, our hearts at ease; If foresight could have rent the veil 8 The Latin name, Regina Montium, in 7 See the poem To a Highland Girl, Italian Mount Righi, signifies Queen of page 160. mountains. O GODDARD! what art thou ?-a name,- We met, while festive mirth ran wild, | Not vain is sadly-utter'd praise; Lamented Youth! to thy cold clay And, when thy Mother weeps for Thee, 9 Goldau is one of the villages deso lated by the fall of part of the mountain Rossberg. 10 The corpse of poor Goddard was cast ashore on the estate of a Swiss gentleman, Mr. Keller, who performed all the rites of hospitality which could be rendered to the dead as well as to the liv ing. He had a handsome mural monument erected in the church of Küsnacht, recording the death of the young American, and also set an inscription on the shore of the lake, pointing out the spot where the body was deposited by the waves. 11 The persuasion here expressed was not groundless. The first human consolation that the afflicted Mother felt was derived from this tribute to her son's memory; a fact which the author learned, at his own residence, from her Daughter, who visited Europe some years afterwards. ELEGIAC PIECES. ADDRESS TO THE SCHOLARS OF THE I COME, ye little noisy Crew, Your hands, dear Little-ones, do all Here did he sit confined for hours; But he could see the woods and plains, Could hear the wind and mark the shower Come streaming down the streaming | To stately Hall and Cottage rude panes. [mound Flow'd from his life what still they hold Light pleasures, every day, renew'd; And blessings half a century old. Now stretch'd beneath his grass-green He rests a prisoner of the ground. He loved the breathing air, He loved the Sun, but if it rise Or set, to him where now he lies, O true of heart, of spirit gay! Such solace find we for our loss; THE Sheep-boy whistled loud, and, lo! Lord of the air, he took his flight; Thus in the weakness of my heart And let me calmly bless the Power Here did we stop; and here look'd round 1 The subject of this piece is the same as of The Two April Mornings and The Funtain. Sec pages 146 and 147. 2 The point is two or three yards be. LONG time his pulse hath ceased to beat; low the outlet of Grisdale tarn on a foot But benefits, his gift, we trace, Express'd in every eye we meet Round this dear Vale, his native place. road by which a horse may pass to Paterdale; a ridge of Helvellyn on the left and the summit of Fairfield on the right Author's Notes, 1843. |