Nor yet for the ravage of winter I mourn; "Twas thus, by the glare of false science betray'd, That leads, to bewilder, and dazzles, to blind, My thoughts wont to roam from shade onward to shade, 6 Destruction before me, and sorrow behind. O pity, great Father of light,' then I cried, Thy creature, who fain would not wander from thee; Lo, humbled in dust, I relinquish my pride: From doubt and from darkness thou only canst free.' “And darkness and doubt are now flying away; No longer I roam in conjecture forlorn: So breaks on the traveller, faint and astray, The bright and the balmy effulgence of morn. See Truth, Love, and Mercy, in triumph descending, And nature all glowing in Eden's first bloom! On the cold cheek of Death smiles and roses are blending, And beauty immortal awakes from the tomb." THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS. FAR in the depth of Ida's inmost grove, All up the craggy cliffs, that tower'd to heaven, Echoed the vale with many a cheerful note; For now, low hovering o'er the western main, Where amber clouds begirt his dazzling throne, The sun with ruddier verdure deck'd the plain, And lakes, and streams, and spires triumphal shone. And many a band of ardent youths were seen; Some into rapture fir'd by glory's charms, Or hurl'd the thundering car along the green, Or march'd embattled on in glittering arms. Others more mild, in happy leisure gay, But chief the eye to Ilion's glories turn'd, Rich in the spoils of many a subject-clime, In pride luxurious blaz'd th' imperial dome; Tower'd mid th' encircling grove the fane sublime, And dread memorials mark'd the hero's tomb, Who from the black and bloody cavern led breast; Who spoke, and Science rear'd her radiant head, And brighten'd o'er the long benighted waste: Or, greatly daring in his country's cause, [sign'd, Whose heaven-taught soul the awful plan deWhence Power stood trembling at the voice of laws, Whence soar'd on Freedom's wing th' ethereal mind. But not the pomp that royalty displays, Could rouse the languor of the lingering boy. |