Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

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

[blocks in formation]

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

[blocks in formation]

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

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

This pleasing call the herald of a lie,

[blocks in formation]

To hide the shame of discord and dis- 580 And the slow weed which pines on Rus

[blocks in formation]

sian hills,

[blocks in formation]

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?
With young Endymion stays;
And now to Hesper it is given
Awhile to rule the vacant sky,
5 Till she shall to her lamp supply
A stream of brighter rays.

0 Hesper, while the starry throng
With awe thy path surrounds,
Oh, listen to my suppliant song,
10 If haply now the vocal sphere
Can suffer thy delighted ear
To stoop to mortal sounds.

So may the bridegroom's genial strain
Thee still invoke to shine;

15 So may the bride's unmarried train
To Hymen chaunt their flattering vow,
Still that his lucky torch may glow
With lustre pure as thine.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »