The words scarce died upon his lips away,
When they the threshold crossed with hasty tread,
Each dwelling on what he, their guide, would say,
And what new marvels did enforce him lead,
And were they lovely things, or things of dread,
That he did ponder deep to them unfold;
Such thought came o’er them as they ’gan proceed,
When on their startled sight, in outline bold,
Arose a mighty pile, as seen in days of old.
When they the threshold crossed with hasty tread,
Each dwelling on what he, their guide, would say,
And what new marvels did enforce him lead,
And were they lovely things, or things of dread,
That he did ponder deep to them unfold;
Such thought came o’er them as they ’gan proceed,
When on their startled sight, in outline bold,
Arose a mighty pile, as seen in days of old.
XCIX.
There stood the wonder of the gazing earth,
The lofty pyramid by Cheops raised;
Three thousand years have vanished since its birth,
Whose pristine form the swarth Egyptian gaz’d,
As tow’ring high it met his sight amazed;
The glorious sunshine hath illumed its head,
And arrow’d lightning on its summit blazed,
As raging tempests all its fury shed—
Unscathed by fiery-bolt of heav’n’s artillery dread.
The lofty pyramid by Cheops raised;
Three thousand years have vanished since its birth,
Whose pristine form the swarth Egyptian gaz’d,
As tow’ring high it met his sight amazed;
The glorious sunshine hath illumed its head,
And arrow’d lightning on its summit blazed,
As raging tempests all its fury shed—
Unscathed by fiery-bolt of heav’n’s artillery dread.
C.
Seen o’er yon arid waste, close by there stood
Those Memphian statues known through ages past,
Far-famed; of which the head of Memnon woo’d
Titan’s warm rays, symphonious in the blast,
Whose mournful cadence o’er the desert cast
Sounds oft emitted, heard to fill the air
In tones vibration swept too sweet to last,
That died away like music strange and rare:
When from that image struck angelic chords rose there.
Those Memphian statues known through ages past,
Far-famed; of which the head of Memnon woo’d
Titan’s warm rays, symphonious in the blast,
Whose mournful cadence o’er the desert cast
Sounds oft emitted, heard to fill the air
In tones vibration swept too sweet to last,
That died away like music strange and rare:
When from that image struck angelic chords rose there.
CI.
They likewise looked upon a column fair,
In spiral beauty ’neath cerulean skies,
Formed of red granite, beautiful, and rare;
In fine proportion polished seen to rise
Its capitol, that drew admiring eyes,
Like “Pompey’s noble pillar” proudly named,
By fearless Tar once scaled that dared emprize;
Whose gallery’s height those vent’rous bold ones climb’d,
What will not Briton’s dare, for daring exploit famed.
In spiral beauty ’neath cerulean skies,
Formed of red granite, beautiful, and rare;
In fine proportion polished seen to rise
Its capitol, that drew admiring eyes,
Like “Pompey’s noble pillar” proudly named,
By fearless Tar once scaled that dared emprize;
Whose gallery’s height those vent’rous bold ones climb’d,
What will not Briton’s dare, for daring exploit famed.
CII.
There rose the wonder of the olden time,
Fair groves that seemed suspended from the sky,
In form an amphitheatre sublime,
Tier above tier in terraces spread high,
Dark shrubs and noble trees that met the eye—
A garden hung like Babylon’s of yore,
Whose walls that city girt in majesty,
Stupendous reared, as in her palmy pow’r,
With massy gates and towers, that frowned in grandeur hoar.
Fair groves that seemed suspended from the sky,
In form an amphitheatre sublime,
Tier above tier in terraces spread high,
Dark shrubs and noble trees that met the eye—
A garden hung like Babylon’s of yore,
Whose walls that city girt in majesty,
Stupendous reared, as in her palmy pow’r,
With massy gates and towers, that frowned in grandeur hoar.
CIII.
Of all the glories that they yet beheld,
None in review surpass’d Pompeii’s site,
At foot of Mount Vesuvius reveal’d,
Which fifteen centuries have hid in night,
Stood there disclosed to each beholder’s sight;
A city dazzling in its pomp and gold,
Its palace gates, and nobles in their might,
And glittering troops, with shining halberts bold,
While luxury’s full tide through that famed city rolled.
None in review surpass’d Pompeii’s site,
At foot of Mount Vesuvius reveal’d,
Which fifteen centuries have hid in night,
Stood there disclosed to each beholder’s sight;
A city dazzling in its pomp and gold,
Its palace gates, and nobles in their might,
And glittering troops, with shining halberts bold,
While luxury’s full tide through that famed city rolled.
CIV.
Pointing the clouds, bright golden fanes upreared,
On which the sun with unveil’d splendour shone;
Fountains and marble palaces appeared,
And living life beamed out in sculptured stone,
Whom eloquence, the warrior, genius own;
Painting and poetry, sister arts divine,
Perfection wrought, so exquisite made known—
Imaged to live, immortal in design.
Such gorgeous works graced art in age Pompeiian thine.
On which the sun with unveil’d splendour shone;
Fountains and marble palaces appeared,
And living life beamed out in sculptured stone,
Whom eloquence, the warrior, genius own;
Painting and poetry, sister arts divine,
Perfection wrought, so exquisite made known—
Imaged to live, immortal in design.
Such gorgeous works graced art in age Pompeiian thine.
CV.
And rain’s greatness pass’d before their sight—
Princely Palmyra, glorious in decay;
The giant base, from which the shaft rose light,
That to the ether blue did soar away,
Crown’d by its capitol’s superb array;
Whose classic arch and columns beauteous stone
Formed proud piazza, or low prostrate lay
In scatter’d groups magnificent were shown;
Now stretched o’er Syrian waste, lone as the night wind’s moan.
Princely Palmyra, glorious in decay;
The giant base, from which the shaft rose light,
That to the ether blue did soar away,
Crown’d by its capitol’s superb array;
Whose classic arch and columns beauteous stone
Formed proud piazza, or low prostrate lay
In scatter’d groups magnificent were shown;
Now stretched o’er Syrian waste, lone as the night wind’s moan.
CVI.
Surrounded by a spacious court there stood
The “Temple of the Sun,” a glorious shrine;
Its lone inhabitant was the Mameluke rude,
’Mid broken shaft, and cornice carved divine,
And exquisite pilaster’s wrought design;
Whose porch the Syrian devotee adored,
Where mystic rites were seen to blaze and shine,
Before the awe-struck multitude revered,
Where prostrate serf once bowed, and helmed chief with sword.
The “Temple of the Sun,” a glorious shrine;
Its lone inhabitant was the Mameluke rude,
’Mid broken shaft, and cornice carved divine,
And exquisite pilaster’s wrought design;
Whose porch the Syrian devotee adored,
Where mystic rites were seen to blaze and shine,
Before the awe-struck multitude revered,
Where prostrate serf once bowed, and helmed chief with sword.
CVII.
From hence their eye a new direction found,
That caught their wonder and astonishment,
Where flanked there rose, with lofty turrets crowned,
A massy wall upreared in bold ascent,
With battlements all armed with deadly bent,
That stretched o’er mountain ridge its winding way
In many a league of wond’rous extent,
That length unlimited it did convey,
Like that through Tartar land, that rose above decay.
That caught their wonder and astonishment,
Where flanked there rose, with lofty turrets crowned,
A massy wall upreared in bold ascent,
With battlements all armed with deadly bent,
That stretched o’er mountain ridge its winding way
In many a league of wond’rous extent,
That length unlimited it did convey,
Like that through Tartar land, that rose above decay.
CVIII.
“One other object of man’s practised art,
Where ’mid the torrent wave he builds on high,
I would ye should behold ere we depart—
Famed bulwark Smeeton’s, of the sea and sky—
The rock-based Eddystone, that waves defy,
As surge loud roaring lifts its white-crest head,
Rocking th’ edifice in its energy;
That frowns defiance to the monster dread,
And back repels the flood, hurled to its stormy bed.
Where ’mid the torrent wave he builds on high,
I would ye should behold ere we depart—
Famed bulwark Smeeton’s, of the sea and sky—
The rock-based Eddystone, that waves defy,
As surge loud roaring lifts its white-crest head,
Rocking th’ edifice in its energy;
That frowns defiance to the monster dread,
And back repels the flood, hurled to its stormy bed.
CIX.
“’Tis time we take a more minute survey
Of painting, sculpture, in its chisell’d grace.
Haste follow me, and I will lead the way,
Where master hand of genius you may trace
In canvass glow, or sculptor’s form embrace;
And where the thrilling soul of poesy,
With her enraptured sweet translated face,
That claims an essence that can never die
So much of heav’nly beam, of inborn energy.”
Of painting, sculpture, in its chisell’d grace.
Haste follow me, and I will lead the way,
Where master hand of genius you may trace
In canvass glow, or sculptor’s form embrace;
And where the thrilling soul of poesy,
With her enraptured sweet translated face,
That claims an essence that can never die
So much of heav’nly beam, of inborn energy.”
CX.
The crowd at once, as he thus forthway led,
Right gladly followed where he pleased to guide,
Till reached a vestibule, show’d arched o’erhead,
Which he to ope with key took from his side,
When straightway flung the creaking doorway wide,
That opened to a spacious gallery high,
Surpassing far-famed “Louvre” in its pride,
Or that of “Fonthill,” noble to the eye,
So vast its vista’s length, and glorious canopy.
Right gladly followed where he pleased to guide,
Till reached a vestibule, show’d arched o’erhead,
Which he to ope with key took from his side,
When straightway flung the creaking doorway wide,
That opened to a spacious gallery high,
Surpassing far-famed “Louvre” in its pride,
Or that of “Fonthill,” noble to the eye,
So vast its vista’s length, and glorious canopy.
CXI.
That noble gallery, hung with works of art
Which crowded every space, a goodly show;
A Claude’s soft tints did each fair charm impart,
The dreamy landscape of the summer’s glow,
Where love-sick swain might nurse his am’rous woe:
Such Poussin drew; while he, sublimely bold,
Great artist Angelo, like to heav’n’s bow
His pencil dipt radiant as molten gold,
Whose canvass glowing breathed all wondrous to behold.
Which crowded every space, a goodly show;
A Claude’s soft tints did each fair charm impart,
The dreamy landscape of the summer’s glow,
Where love-sick swain might nurse his am’rous woe:
Such Poussin drew; while he, sublimely bold,
Great artist Angelo, like to heav’n’s bow
His pencil dipt radiant as molten gold,
Whose canvass glowing breathed all wondrous to behold.
CXII.
At further end of this proud gallery led
The charmed spectator to famed sculpture’s room,
Where statuary did infuse with life the dead,
So living like the marble did assume;
There seen to burst the portals of the tomb,
With dart erect to strike the deadly blow,
The grim fell tyrant of the grave’s deep gloom;
While eloquence seemed rife, with graceful flow,
The senate’s orator, and bard with pensive brow.
The charmed spectator to famed sculpture’s room,
Where statuary did infuse with life the dead,
So living like the marble did assume;
There seen to burst the portals of the tomb,
With dart erect to strike the deadly blow,
The grim fell tyrant of the grave’s deep gloom;
While eloquence seemed rife, with graceful flow,
The senate’s orator, and bard with pensive brow.
CXIII.
Sweet thrilling airs now met their ravish’d ear,
That sudden broke in ling’ring sweetness fell—
Now distant heard, now stealing softly near,
The senses wrapt in one enchanting spell:
Chords that a master struck, harmonious swell,
As Handel once in soul-absorbing mood,
By heav’n so taught, did seraph’s harpings tell,
When the full organ, borne on music’s flood,
Thrill’d the vast list’ning throng that ’neath th’ Abbey stood.
That sudden broke in ling’ring sweetness fell—
Now distant heard, now stealing softly near,
The senses wrapt in one enchanting spell:
Chords that a master struck, harmonious swell,
As Handel once in soul-absorbing mood,
By heav’n so taught, did seraph’s harpings tell,
When the full organ, borne on music’s flood,
Thrill’d the vast list’ning throng that ’neath th’ Abbey stood.
CXIV.
With that methought, with beck’ning silence grave,
Their tireless guide their mute attention sought;
With gentle tread did best behaviour crave;
So urged he those whom hither he had brought,
Then led them noiseless wrapp’d in deepest thought,
Where they might see, as in a vision’s trance,
Those whom the world hath art or science taught,
And not themselves be seen by any chance,
As figures ’fore them pass’d, a scene of strange romance.
Their tireless guide their mute attention sought;
With gentle tread did best behaviour crave;
So urged he those whom hither he had brought,
Then led them noiseless wrapp’d in deepest thought,
Where they might see, as in a vision’s trance,
Those whom the world hath art or science taught,
And not themselves be seen by any chance,
As figures ’fore them pass’d, a scene of strange romance.
CXV.
Great master spirits of a bygone age
Were here beheld, each in his fond employ
In which their lives were spent, and did engage
At utmost stretch their powers ’bove others joy:
Spurred on by Fame, tho’ hard to win, and coy,
Oft never reached till death hath crown’d with bays
The living found not, but neglects annoy,
In which they struggled hard thro’ nights and days,
In vain pursuit to gain the fleeting phantom—praise!
Were here beheld, each in his fond employ
In which their lives were spent, and did engage
At utmost stretch their powers ’bove others joy:
Spurred on by Fame, tho’ hard to win, and coy,
Oft never reached till death hath crown’d with bays
The living found not, but neglects annoy,
In which they struggled hard thro’ nights and days,
In vain pursuit to gain the fleeting phantom—praise!
CXVI.
There Raphael’s form divine pass’d ’fore their eyes,
Poussin and Claude, with Angelo sublime,
Engaged in art that wakes awe’s deep surprise;
Salvator Rosa, painter for all time;
Rubens, whose easel gave the portrait prime;
And he, Correggio, artist great to name;
Reynolds and Lawrence, whom we gladly chime;
Fuseli bold, whose wildest flight doth claim
Praise, glowing praise, at sight of their immortal fame.
Poussin and Claude, with Angelo sublime,
Engaged in art that wakes awe’s deep surprise;
Salvator Rosa, painter for all time;
Rubens, whose easel gave the portrait prime;
And he, Correggio, artist great to name;
Reynolds and Lawrence, whom we gladly chime;
Fuseli bold, whose wildest flight doth claim
Praise, glowing praise, at sight of their immortal fame.
CXVII.
Appelles, too, whom nature drew to life,
And Phidias, famed for sculpture in his day;
Or he whose Trojan horse, with armed men rife;
Colossus huge of Chares, Rhodes’ display,
Beneath whose giant strides ship pass’d that way;
And Chantrey they beheld, whose chisel wrought
Sweet babes of loveliness, in slumber lay;
Baily, whose lovely Eve fresh fountain sought,
So seemed with breathing life the polish’d marble fraught.
And Phidias, famed for sculpture in his day;
Or he whose Trojan horse, with armed men rife;
Colossus huge of Chares, Rhodes’ display,
Beneath whose giant strides ship pass’d that way;
And Chantrey they beheld, whose chisel wrought
Sweet babes of loveliness, in slumber lay;
Baily, whose lovely Eve fresh fountain sought,
So seemed with breathing life the polish’d marble fraught.
CXVIII.
Then passing thro’ a lofty corridor,
By which their charmed conductor onward led,
That brought them to an old oak carved door,
Half ope’d, thro’ which a sombre light was shed,
That show’d the outline of a reverend head,
With flowing locks that graced his shoulders fell,
Absorbed as tho’ on dainty thought he fed;
Like old inspired man in hermit cell,
Or like to prophet seer, yon blind bard lone did dwell.
By which their charmed conductor onward led,
That brought them to an old oak carved door,
Half ope’d, thro’ which a sombre light was shed,
That show’d the outline of a reverend head,
With flowing locks that graced his shoulders fell,
Absorbed as tho’ on dainty thought he fed;
Like old inspired man in hermit cell,
Or like to prophet seer, yon blind bard lone did dwell.
CXIX.
The hour it was of inspiration’s flow,
When the soul’s thoughts essay’d for utterance find,
In strains Æolian bade the blind bard glow,
As flow’d the argument to his great mind,
Sublimely sung the fate of lost mankind;
Words from his lips with glowing fervour fell,
As moved the burning seraph, bliss enshrined,
To touch his harp, to charm the heav’nly dell
With airs symphonious, such as choir of angels swell.
When the soul’s thoughts essay’d for utterance find,
In strains Æolian bade the blind bard glow,
As flow’d the argument to his great mind,
Sublimely sung the fate of lost mankind;
Words from his lips with glowing fervour fell,
As moved the burning seraph, bliss enshrined,
To touch his harp, to charm the heav’nly dell
With airs symphonious, such as choir of angels swell.
CXX.
And one they sought in other chamber found,
On telescope’s discoveries thoughtful bent,
That his hand wrought to gaze the stars around,
By science taught to read the firmament;
Careless were strew’d dials and prisms blent,
Tangents and globes, mechanic art’s design,
The youthful artist plann’d with mind intent;
Prismatic colours, with the zodiac shine,
And planetary orbs, their motions traced divine.
On telescope’s discoveries thoughtful bent,
That his hand wrought to gaze the stars around,
By science taught to read the firmament;
Careless were strew’d dials and prisms blent,
Tangents and globes, mechanic art’s design,
The youthful artist plann’d with mind intent;
Prismatic colours, with the zodiac shine,
And planetary orbs, their motions traced divine.
CXXI.
He, sage philosopher, absorbed in thought,
On geometric figures conning deep,
With algebraic skill each distance sought,
And ranged the field of stars with optic sweep;
Saw from his vantage ground discovery’s steep,
The balanced harmony of the nightly spheres
By gravitation’s laws their orbits keep:
Grand science, that repaid the toil of years!
’Twas so to Newton’s mind, great without boast appears.
On geometric figures conning deep,
With algebraic skill each distance sought,
And ranged the field of stars with optic sweep;
Saw from his vantage ground discovery’s steep,
The balanced harmony of the nightly spheres
By gravitation’s laws their orbits keep:
Grand science, that repaid the toil of years!
’Twas so to Newton’s mind, great without boast appears.
CXXII.
Descending now what seem’d a marble flight,
That from a noble terrace winding led,
And brought them to a garden of delight:
Delicious groves, a blue sky over head,
Green alleys, whose unsullied verdure shed
Inviting softness, sunk in eve’s repose;
Such as Adonis found and made his bed,
Weary with hunting, sought his eyelids close,
And threw his dainty limbs—just such a spot he chose.
That from a noble terrace winding led,
And brought them to a garden of delight:
Delicious groves, a blue sky over head,
Green alleys, whose unsullied verdure shed
Inviting softness, sunk in eve’s repose;
Such as Adonis found and made his bed,
Weary with hunting, sought his eyelids close,
And threw his dainty limbs—just such a spot he chose.
CXXIII.
The shadowy trees, thro’ which the flaming sun
With slanting ray fell on the velvet green,
Made graceful avenue to look upon;
Soft verdant slopes in distance lovely sheen,
Clear flow’d the rivulet far winding seen;
The plumaged bird, with golden glossy wing,
Was spied to dart thro’ foliag’d boughs between;
And minstrels heard thro’ thicket loud to sing,
Their sweet delicious notes caused wood and valley ring.
With slanting ray fell on the velvet green,
Made graceful avenue to look upon;
Soft verdant slopes in distance lovely sheen,
Clear flow’d the rivulet far winding seen;
The plumaged bird, with golden glossy wing,
Was spied to dart thro’ foliag’d boughs between;
And minstrels heard thro’ thicket loud to sing,
Their sweet delicious notes caused wood and valley ring.
CXXIV.
There, on a bank of flowery verdure clad,
List’ning the harmony of wild songster sweet,
Half-dreaming sunk, with look nor blithe nor sad,
Where playful thought and muse inspired meet,
A noble countenance did beholder greet;
Whereat each wondered at that face divine,
And eagerly their guide ’gan loud entreat
Knowledge of him, whose form drew gazers’ eyne,
That paragon ’mong men, that did all men outshine.
List’ning the harmony of wild songster sweet,
Half-dreaming sunk, with look nor blithe nor sad,
Where playful thought and muse inspired meet,
A noble countenance did beholder greet;
Whereat each wondered at that face divine,
And eagerly their guide ’gan loud entreat
Knowledge of him, whose form drew gazers’ eyne,
That paragon ’mong men, that did all men outshine.
CXXV.
“Those lineaments divine ye now behold”
(He answering spake, with animated tone),
“Of one whose name, to ages yet untold,
Shall like a phœnix rise and blaze alone;
No living wight can e’er approach his throne;
Born for all time, nature’s decipherer,
His likeness vain it is to look upon;
Famed son, of Tudor’s age the boast. Draw near,
Mark how the spirit’s glow lights up those features clear.”
(He answering spake, with animated tone),
“Of one whose name, to ages yet untold,
Shall like a phœnix rise and blaze alone;
No living wight can e’er approach his throne;
Born for all time, nature’s decipherer,
His likeness vain it is to look upon;
Famed son, of Tudor’s age the boast. Draw near,
Mark how the spirit’s glow lights up those features clear.”
CXXVI.
In fancy’s mood on gentle slope reclined,
Besprent with flowers that shed sweet fragrance round,
The poet, wrapt in vision of the mind,
Soared to fair regions of delight and sound;
The lovely haunts of fairy troop he found,
And there disporting hied right merrily;
No footing pleased him like to fairy ground,
Or so entic’d in musing’s hour to lie,
And ken the blissful bowers of clouds in amber sky.
Besprent with flowers that shed sweet fragrance round,
The poet, wrapt in vision of the mind,
Soared to fair regions of delight and sound;
The lovely haunts of fairy troop he found,
And there disporting hied right merrily;
No footing pleased him like to fairy ground,
Or so entic’d in musing’s hour to lie,
And ken the blissful bowers of clouds in amber sky.
CXXVII.
Inspired they saw the Swan of Avon stream,
Whose eye it glanced on earth, from earth to heav’n,
In a fine frenzy rolling, poet’s dream;
To him, supreme of mortals, gifts were giv’n,
That did partake ethereal baser riv’n,
As gold from dross or spark the metal flies;
The spirit’s essence, over matter striv’n,
And lief t’ escape its prison house ytries,
Far into empty space, winged sprite that never dies.
Whose eye it glanced on earth, from earth to heav’n,
In a fine frenzy rolling, poet’s dream;
To him, supreme of mortals, gifts were giv’n,
That did partake ethereal baser riv’n,
As gold from dross or spark the metal flies;
The spirit’s essence, over matter striv’n,
And lief t’ escape its prison house ytries,
Far into empty space, winged sprite that never dies.
CXXVIII.
To him the air sent forth an aerial sound,
In strains unearthly borne, remote, then near:
Music of fairies as they feat the ground
By glimpse of moonbeam, heard to mortal ear,
And ply their tasks, and quaff their elfish cheer;
All nature vocal, every purling brook
Danced eddying forth in gurglings loud and clear;
And satyrs stole to gaze, from hidden nook,
While nymphs of glade and stream their secret haunts forsook.
In strains unearthly borne, remote, then near:
Music of fairies as they feat the ground
By glimpse of moonbeam, heard to mortal ear,
And ply their tasks, and quaff their elfish cheer;
All nature vocal, every purling brook
Danced eddying forth in gurglings loud and clear;
And satyrs stole to gaze, from hidden nook,
While nymphs of glade and stream their secret haunts forsook.
CXXIX.
Leaving th’ enchantment of this wizard spot,
Whereto the Muses haunt th’ Aonian spring,
For genius culture fitted most, I wot,
When Nature lavish doth her dainties fling,
Hill, spring, and valley, all that she can bring,
To lap the soul in one Elysium dream,
And sing herself away on soaring wing;
Rapt poet’s land, and sweet enchanting stream,
Where fancy plumes her flight, as sinks Sol’s prancing team.
Whereto the Muses haunt th’ Aonian spring,
For genius culture fitted most, I wot,
When Nature lavish doth her dainties fling,
Hill, spring, and valley, all that she can bring,
To lap the soul in one Elysium dream,
And sing herself away on soaring wing;
Rapt poet’s land, and sweet enchanting stream,
Where fancy plumes her flight, as sinks Sol’s prancing team.
CXXX.
Others a noble band of spirits choice,
We fain unsought must leave illustrious names,
Made known from age to age with trumpet voice,
Poets’, and painters’, sculptors’, meed proclaims,
Unwist forsooth to them a world of fames;
They rest in peace, the dull cold ear of death
Heeds not applause once sought, far higher aims,
Than fading earth’s renown, and fleeting breath,
A loftier prize in view, a holier fadeless wreath.
We fain unsought must leave illustrious names,
Made known from age to age with trumpet voice,
Poets’, and painters’, sculptors’, meed proclaims,
Unwist forsooth to them a world of fames;
They rest in peace, the dull cold ear of death
Heeds not applause once sought, far higher aims,
Than fading earth’s renown, and fleeting breath,
A loftier prize in view, a holier fadeless wreath.
CXXXI.
On other object and pursuit thus led,
Far from this scene of quiet’s rural space,
Too loath to quit its landscape lovely spread,
Its velvet lawn mote now no longer trace,
Or gold-fringed cloud that soars the heav’ns with grace,
Its groves, and murmuring streams, and purple sky,
And fanning air of Zephyr’s sweet embrace,
Enticing to the sense as incense nigh,
Such Tempé’s vale they leave ymolt with melody.
Far from this scene of quiet’s rural space,
Too loath to quit its landscape lovely spread,
Its velvet lawn mote now no longer trace,
Or gold-fringed cloud that soars the heav’ns with grace,
Its groves, and murmuring streams, and purple sky,
And fanning air of Zephyr’s sweet embrace,
Enticing to the sense as incense nigh,
Such Tempé’s vale they leave ymolt with melody.
CXXXII.
These lonely scenes they fain must now forego,
Haunts of the Muses, and their fond retreat,
For sober “Art” their guide would eke them show,
Invention’s school where she doth hold her seat,
While onward led man’s cunning skill to weet,
That to a building brought at distance spied,
Which urged, them quicken now their sluggish feet,
So roadside travellers by their journey tried,
Press on their toilsome march the “hamlet” last descried.
Haunts of the Muses, and their fond retreat,
For sober “Art” their guide would eke them show,
Invention’s school where she doth hold her seat,
While onward led man’s cunning skill to weet,
That to a building brought at distance spied,
Which urged, them quicken now their sluggish feet,
So roadside travellers by their journey tried,
Press on their toilsome march the “hamlet” last descried.
CXXXIII.
The building gained of noble length was seen,
Of cunning workmanship’s device full rare,
With pillars curious wrought with frieze, I ween,
That show’d a portico most wondrous fair,
Than which no other could with it compare;
Its columns fluted alabaster white;
And marble figures graceful ranged appear,
In emblematic groups, a goodly sight,
With steps that led thereto, a wide ascending flight.
Of cunning workmanship’s device full rare,
With pillars curious wrought with frieze, I ween,
That show’d a portico most wondrous fair,
Than which no other could with it compare;
Its columns fluted alabaster white;
And marble figures graceful ranged appear,
In emblematic groups, a goodly sight,
With steps that led thereto, a wide ascending flight.
CXXXIV.
The door wide open flung, all eager press,
With expectation raised each mind was fraught,
For they did mickle of instruction guess,
Would hence ensue from what their guide had taught,
Whose converse lured them as he hither brought,
Like crowds enticed by some attractive sight,
Expectant rush and eagerly resort;
So fast they flock like wonder-gazing wight,
And fill the spacious floor, each struck with strange delight.
With expectation raised each mind was fraught,
For they did mickle of instruction guess,
Would hence ensue from what their guide had taught,
Whose converse lured them as he hither brought,
Like crowds enticed by some attractive sight,
Expectant rush and eagerly resort;
So fast they flock like wonder-gazing wight,
And fill the spacious floor, each struck with strange delight.
CXXXV.
Around was seen, in many a quaint device,
Target, and spear, and shield’s emblazonry;
The steel-clad warrior armed for val’rous prise;
In onset couched his lance, his prowess try
On charger fierce; while coats of heraldry,
And banners, martial ’neath the carved roof hung,
Artillery mounted hideous yawned close by,
Trophy of brass, with antlers huge, ymong,
With sturdy warder’s horn that loud o’er welkin rung.
Target, and spear, and shield’s emblazonry;
The steel-clad warrior armed for val’rous prise;
In onset couched his lance, his prowess try
On charger fierce; while coats of heraldry,
And banners, martial ’neath the carved roof hung,
Artillery mounted hideous yawned close by,
Trophy of brass, with antlers huge, ymong,
With sturdy warder’s horn that loud o’er welkin rung.
CXXXVI.
The windows richly dight, with stained glass showed,
In brilliant colours formed, fair groups design,
That marked the skill th’ artist had bestowed,
Bright as the sunny landscape seen to shine
Where laughed the Graces, sketched with glow divine,
Peace, Plenty smiled with her o’erflowing horn,
And Bacchus quaff’d the grape’s delicious wine,
He, mighty Nimrod, chased the bounding fawn,
While Jubel struck the lyre, its chords to heav’n upborne.
In brilliant colours formed, fair groups design,
That marked the skill th’ artist had bestowed,
Bright as the sunny landscape seen to shine
Where laughed the Graces, sketched with glow divine,
Peace, Plenty smiled with her o’erflowing horn,
And Bacchus quaff’d the grape’s delicious wine,
He, mighty Nimrod, chased the bounding fawn,
While Jubel struck the lyre, its chords to heav’n upborne.
CXXXVII.
The centre of that noble room was fill’d
With various models, deftly carved, and true,
The rocky base of Gibraltar, piled
In frowning strength, sterility to view;
Axle and wheel revolving turned, and screw,
Were here employ’d with nicely balanced skill,
The flying shaft, untiring did pursue
Its evolutions, while the grinding mill
With mechanism wrought, its unresistless will.
With various models, deftly carved, and true,
The rocky base of Gibraltar, piled
In frowning strength, sterility to view;
Axle and wheel revolving turned, and screw,
Were here employ’d with nicely balanced skill,
The flying shaft, untiring did pursue
Its evolutions, while the grinding mill
With mechanism wrought, its unresistless will.
CXXXVIII.
The spinning-jenny’s rude simplicity,
With late improvements of an Arkwright wrought;
That greatest of inventions met the eye,
Its motions urged like living creature fraught,
All-powerful “steam,” a hissing demon taught
By Watt, ingenious made, to run with speed,
And round the globe distance to set at nought,
How would our first of Georges stare indeed,
To see our railroads take the start of prancing steed.
With late improvements of an Arkwright wrought;
That greatest of inventions met the eye,
Its motions urged like living creature fraught,
All-powerful “steam,” a hissing demon taught
By Watt, ingenious made, to run with speed,
And round the globe distance to set at nought,
How would our first of Georges stare indeed,
To see our railroads take the start of prancing steed.
CXXXIX.
That mighty wonder of this teeming age,
And great mercurial power, the “printing press,”
Did next the troop of gazers deep engage,
Its vast machinery in its swift progress,
The like they ne’er had seen they did confess,
Its cylinders, and huge revolving wheel,
That set the whole at work with rapidness;
Their inward pleasure they could not conceal,
When struck the flying sheet its printing did reveal.
And great mercurial power, the “printing press,”
Did next the troop of gazers deep engage,
Its vast machinery in its swift progress,
The like they ne’er had seen they did confess,
Its cylinders, and huge revolving wheel,
That set the whole at work with rapidness;
Their inward pleasure they could not conceal,
When struck the flying sheet its printing did reveal.
CXL.
That paragon of presses then was shown,
Where human art and skill were wond’rous blent,
Whom herald fame its prowess hath made known,
That in its stride the globe did circumvent;
The journal of the mighty “Times” far sent
To every land, o’er seas and mountains high:
Who can the power of its instrument,
Or record publish of its history,
Like Araby’s story, read of so marvellously.
Where human art and skill were wond’rous blent,
Whom herald fame its prowess hath made known,
That in its stride the globe did circumvent;
The journal of the mighty “Times” far sent
To every land, o’er seas and mountains high:
Who can the power of its instrument,
Or record publish of its history,
Like Araby’s story, read of so marvellously.
CXLI.
How would a Caxton, with a look astound,
Could he pierce thro’ the gloom that shrouds his head;
With what surprise akin to awe profound,
To view his great invention so dispread,
The blaze would blind his eyes, so strongly shed,
So great the glare of knowledge bursting forth,
Compared with his own darksome day now fled;
Famed Woodfall, too, whose mortal labour wrought,
Laborious nights and days, outshone, eclipsed his worth.
Could he pierce thro’ the gloom that shrouds his head;
With what surprise akin to awe profound,
To view his great invention so dispread,
The blaze would blind his eyes, so strongly shed,
So great the glare of knowledge bursting forth,
Compared with his own darksome day now fled;
Famed Woodfall, too, whose mortal labour wrought,
Laborious nights and days, outshone, eclipsed his worth.
CXLII.
A thousand other things Invention taught,
To bore the earth, or ocean’s bosom sweep,
Air-pumps, machines hydraulic, hither brought,
Or flying-bridge that rapid rivers leap,
Huge diving-bell, and plummets sounding deep,
Galvanic batteries, with the electric wire,
And instruments to measure mountains steep,
The microscope that marvels new inspire,
And Davy’s safety lamp, and telescope’s great pow’r.
To bore the earth, or ocean’s bosom sweep,
Air-pumps, machines hydraulic, hither brought,
Or flying-bridge that rapid rivers leap,
Huge diving-bell, and plummets sounding deep,
Galvanic batteries, with the electric wire,
And instruments to measure mountains steep,
The microscope that marvels new inspire,
And Davy’s safety lamp, and telescope’s great pow’r.
CXLIII.
“Those I have shown are few of native art,
The pivot chief round which the world doth turn,
Great moving spring that action doth impart,
As heart’s pulsation shows that life doth burn,
To those who can progressive art discern,
What can withstand the great magician steam,
Progress of letters check who strive to learn,
’Tis like the streak of early morning’s gleam,
Or streamlet’s gentle rise that flows a mighty stream.
The pivot chief round which the world doth turn,
Great moving spring that action doth impart,
As heart’s pulsation shows that life doth burn,
To those who can progressive art discern,
What can withstand the great magician steam,
Progress of letters check who strive to learn,
’Tis like the streak of early morning’s gleam,
Or streamlet’s gentle rise that flows a mighty stream.
CXLIV.
“But now break off, ’tis time we now forego,
This school of art that doth entice us here,
My lord and master bade me further show
That other porch, whilome will soon appear,
His dear delight and mine to study there;”
The ardent poet kindling as he spake.
“Haste, follow me, yon lovely haunts to share,
Haunts of the muses;—fount of bliss partake,
Once drank, if pure the stream, that fount ye’ll ne’er forsake.
This school of art that doth entice us here,
My lord and master bade me further show
That other porch, whilome will soon appear,
His dear delight and mine to study there;”
The ardent poet kindling as he spake.
“Haste, follow me, yon lovely haunts to share,
Haunts of the muses;—fount of bliss partake,
Once drank, if pure the stream, that fount ye’ll ne’er forsake.
CANTO IV.
ARGUMENT.
The Porch of Learning—Its Appearance Described—The Appeal—An Encomium on the Place—The Grove and Academy of Plato—Cicero’s Villa—The Sea-shore—Athenæum—Its noble Apartment—Busts of great Names—The Library—An Eulogy on Poetry—Emulation Inspired.
CANTO IV.
CXLV.
Anon he led the trooping crowd, right glad
His steps to follow on discovery bent,
For he had soothed their drooping spirits sad,
As with enchanter’s wand, where’er they went;
The hours with them were golden visions blent;
Aladdin’s lamp could not enchant them more,
Or fairy spell ywove to circumvent
The soul enchained, when wrapt in legend’s lore
Of dreams Hesperia’s grove, or some peace rippling shore.
His steps to follow on discovery bent,
For he had soothed their drooping spirits sad,
As with enchanter’s wand, where’er they went;
The hours with them were golden visions blent;
Aladdin’s lamp could not enchant them more,
Or fairy spell ywove to circumvent
The soul enchained, when wrapt in legend’s lore
Of dreams Hesperia’s grove, or some peace rippling shore.
CXLVI.
At length they reach that rugged steep ascent
And entrance fair, that led to Learning’s bow’rs,
Unfading laurels its habiliment.
The summit gained, sprung up eternal flow’rs,
Where zephyrs balmy breathed Aonian hours;
There dwell those virgins pure, the “sacred Nine,”
And mental vigour grows with all its pow’rs,
The mind’s unclouded seat, and sweet sunshine,
Where she may sit and muse, and bask in thought divine.
And entrance fair, that led to Learning’s bow’rs,
Unfading laurels its habiliment.
The summit gained, sprung up eternal flow’rs,
Where zephyrs balmy breathed Aonian hours;
There dwell those virgins pure, the “sacred Nine,”
And mental vigour grows with all its pow’rs,
The mind’s unclouded seat, and sweet sunshine,
Where she may sit and muse, and bask in thought divine.
CXLVII.
On each side yonder arch Corinthian stood
Two noble pillars Parian marble white;
Its sculptured façade proud adornment show’d
The lyre, and oaten pipe and ploughshare bright;
Caduceus’ rod, Medusa direful sight;
Show’d far-famed ægis of Minerva dread;
Toga, and scroll, and wisdom’s owl of night;
The olive, and the lamp nocturnal shed,
Symbol of student’s toil, were here decyphered.
Two noble pillars Parian marble white;
Its sculptured façade proud adornment show’d
The lyre, and oaten pipe and ploughshare bright;
Caduceus’ rod, Medusa direful sight;
Show’d far-famed ægis of Minerva dread;
Toga, and scroll, and wisdom’s owl of night;
The olive, and the lamp nocturnal shed,
Symbol of student’s toil, were here decyphered.
CXLVIII.
On pedestal, half raised on either side,
Two lovely statues, virgin nymphs, there stood;
A thoughtful air did on each brow abide,
As tho’ they mused in silent solitude:
Th’ historic muse was one, that did o’erbrood
On history’s page, fair Clio virgin hight;
And Calliope with eloquence endued,
Muse of heroic verse, her rapt delight;
’Bove all, Mæonides surmounted caught the sight.
Two lovely statues, virgin nymphs, there stood;
A thoughtful air did on each brow abide,
As tho’ they mused in silent solitude:
Th’ historic muse was one, that did o’erbrood
On history’s page, fair Clio virgin hight;
And Calliope with eloquence endued,
Muse of heroic verse, her rapt delight;
’Bove all, Mæonides surmounted caught the sight.
CXLIX.
Nor cared they linger long that company,
For they impatient burned to enter there;
Their eye it caught its walks of pleasantry,
Its winding groves, and plots of green so cheer;
At once they enter, glad enough to peer
That sacred sweet enclosure fairy ground,
To which the sons of song, enticed near,
Do hail the spot, and learned ones abound,
Who here resort for lore, in happy groups were found.
For they impatient burned to enter there;
Their eye it caught its walks of pleasantry,
Its winding groves, and plots of green so cheer;
At once they enter, glad enough to peer
That sacred sweet enclosure fairy ground,
To which the sons of song, enticed near,
Do hail the spot, and learned ones abound,
Who here resort for lore, in happy groups were found.
CL.
“Ye grov’ling souls, whose only heed and care
Is pleasure’s wiles, or love of greedy gain,
Who ply your task with dull and leaden stare,
And to this clod of earth would still remain;
Who hug your chains of ignominy and pain,
The soul encaged like some poor silly bird,
That careth not its freedom to attain,
Or force its prison cage, so strongly wir’d;
Your bonds ye love too well ’gainst them to be conspir’d.
Is pleasure’s wiles, or love of greedy gain,
Who ply your task with dull and leaden stare,
And to this clod of earth would still remain;
Who hug your chains of ignominy and pain,
The soul encaged like some poor silly bird,
That careth not its freedom to attain,
Or force its prison cage, so strongly wir’d;
Your bonds ye love too well ’gainst them to be conspir’d.
CLI.
“My pleasure ’tis a lovelier path to show,
That leads to more enduring happiness
Than your dull life, who grovel here below
Deep sunk in sordid low pursuit, I guess.
Your abject state is one of sad distress;
A higher destiny awaits you here,
More kin to minds whom nobler objects press,
To climb the steep ascent and proud career
Of knowledge nobly won in learning’s hemisphere.
That leads to more enduring happiness
Than your dull life, who grovel here below
Deep sunk in sordid low pursuit, I guess.
Your abject state is one of sad distress;
A higher destiny awaits you here,
More kin to minds whom nobler objects press,
To climb the steep ascent and proud career
Of knowledge nobly won in learning’s hemisphere.
CLII.
“Oh! that I could impart the same delight
I too have felt in this, the Muse’s seat,
To walk as tho’ by heav’nly radiance bright;
Such, such is knowledge in its gain, I weet—
Food of the gods, so sung is not more sweet,
Or that Hesperian fruit fabled of old;
Here only found in Pallas’ calm retreat,
Its dear delights, fond task to you untold,
Of which it doth partake of pleasures manifold.”
I too have felt in this, the Muse’s seat,
To walk as tho’ by heav’nly radiance bright;
Such, such is knowledge in its gain, I weet—
Food of the gods, so sung is not more sweet,
Or that Hesperian fruit fabled of old;
Here only found in Pallas’ calm retreat,
Its dear delights, fond task to you untold,
Of which it doth partake of pleasures manifold.”