DEDICATION There is no danger to a man, that knows TO MARY I So now my summer task is ended, Mary, If it indeed may cleave its natal gloom, With thy beloved name, thou Child of love and light. II The toil which stole from thee so many an hour, Or where with sound like many voices sweet, Which framed for my lone boat a lone retreat Of moss-grown trees and weeds, shall I be seen: But beside thee, where still my heart has ever been. III Thoughts of great deeds were mine, dear Friend, when first The clouds which wrap this world from youth did pass. 20 I do remember well the hour which burst My spirit's sleep a fresh May-dawn it was, : When I walked forth upon the glittering grass, IV 25 And then I clasped my hands and looked around- My tears, my heart grew calm, and I was meek and bold. 35 And from that hour did I with earnest thought Thus power and hope were strengthened more and more Within me, till there came upon my mind A sense of loneliness, a thirst with which I pined. VI Alas, that love should be a blight and snare : Hard hearts, and cold, like weights of icy stone Which crushed and withered mine, that could not be Aught but a lifeless clod, until revived by thee. VII Thou Friend, whose presence on my wintry heart Which many an envious slave then breathed in vain VIII No more alone through the world's wilderness, IX Now has descended a serener hour, And with inconstant fortune, friends return; 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 Though suffering leaves the knowledge and the power 75 Which says:-Let scorn be not repaid with scorn. And from thy side two gentle babes are born 54 clog ed. 1818. See notes at end. To fill our home with smiles, and thus are we Most fortunate beneath life's beaming morn; And these delights, and thou, have been to me The parents of the Song I consecrate to thee. X Is it, that now my inexperienced fingers Reply in hope-but I am worn away, 80 85 And Death and Love are yet contending for their prey. 90 ΧΙ And what art thou? I know, but dare not speak: And in thy gentle speech, a prophecy. Is whispered, to subdue my fondest fears: And through thine eyes, even in thy soul I see A lamp of vestal fire burning internally. XII They say that thou wert lovely from thy birth, I wonder not-for One then left this earth Of its departing glory; still her fame Shines on thee, through the tempests dark and wild Which shake these latter days; and thou canst claim The shelter, from thy Sire, of an immortal name. XIII One voice came forth from many a mighty spirit, 95 100 105 110 Fell on the pale oppressors of our race, And Faith, and Custom, and low-thoughted cares, Like thunder-stricken dragons, for a space Left the torn human heart, their food and dwelling-place. XIV Truth's deathless voice pauses among mankind! If men must rise and stamp with fury blind 115 120 Like lamps into the world's tempestuous night,Two tranquil stars, while clouds are passing by Which wrap them from the foundering seaman's sight, 125 That burn from year to year with unextinguished light. CANTO I I When the last hope of trampled France had failed 130 Whose caverned base with the vexed surge was hoary; And saw the golden dawn break forth, and waken Each cloud, and every wave:-but transitory The calm for sudden, the firm earth was shaken, As if by the last wreck its frame were overtaken. II So as I stood, one blast of muttering thunder The orient sun in shadow:-not a sound 135 140 Darkness more dread than night was poured upon the ground. III Hark! 'tis the rushing of a wind that sweeps One mighty stream, whirlwind and waves upthrown, Lightning, and hail, and darkness eddying by. Into their caves to shriek, come forth, to spy What calm has fall'n on earth, what light is in the sky. IV For, where the irresistible storm had cloven Beneath that opening spot of blue serene, Earth and the upper air, the vast clouds fled, Countless and swift as leaves on autumn's tempest shed. 145 150 155 160 For ever, as the war became more fierce Between the whirlwinds and the rack on high, Passed on, in slow and moving majesty; VI I could not choose but gaze; a fascination 165 170 Dwelt in that moon, and sky, and clouds, which drew My fancy thither, and in expectation Of what I knew not, I remained :—the hue A speck, a cloud, a shape, approaching grew, VII Even like a bark, which from a chasm of mountains, 175 180 Which there collects the strength of all its fountains, Comes forth, whilst with the speed its frame doth quiver, Sails, oars, and stream, tending to one endeavour; 185 So, from that chasm of light a winged Form Floated, dilating as it came: the storm Pursued it with fierce blasts, and lightnings swift and warm. VIII A course precipitous, of dizzy speed, Suspending thought and breath; a monstrous sight! For in the air do I behold indeed' An Eagle and a Serpent wreathed in fight:- Before the aëreal rock on which I stood, The Eagle, hovering, wheeled to left and right, And hung with lingering wings over the flood, And startled with its yells the wide air's solitude. IX A shaft of light upon its wings descended, Feather and scale, inextricably blended. The Serpent's mailed and many-coloured skin 190 195 200 Shone through the plumes its coils were twined within |