Ir thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven, And they that from the zenith dart their beams, Though half a sphere be conscious of their brightness) Are yet of no diviner origin, No purer essence, than the one that burns, Like an untended watch-fire, on the ridge Of some dark mountain; or than those which seem I. EXPOSTULATION AND REPLY. "WHY, William, on that old grey stone, Thus for the length of half a day, Why, William, sit you thus alone, And dream your time away? Where are your books?-that light bequeathed To Beings else forlorn and blind! Up! up! and drink the spirit breathed You look round on your mother Earth, And none had lived before you!" |