40
CLYDE;
Or, darkly from the bottom of the deep,
Along the beds of sand in silence creep;
Through earth's dark veins work out their winding way,
And fresh to light from countless fountains play.
Heaven's generous purpose let us glad assist,
For general good. To yield is to be blest."
The river said; and with impetuous force
Rent the huge hills, and rushed along his course. 70
Along his infant stream, on either side
The lofty hills, in clouds, their summits hide;
In whose vast bowels, treasured dark and deep,
Exhaustless mines of lead in secret sleep.
But man, audacious man! whose stubborn pride
Free gifts disdains, and longs for all denied,
Mid central earth, bids hardy hands combine
To drag the metal from its mine;
Which, forc'd to light, forms the destructive ball,
At whose dire touch, fleets sink, and armies fall; 80
Seas blush with blood, while floats the crimson field;
Walls sink to dust, to rapine cities yield.
Nor death alone to fated realms it brings;
It to the cistern guides the distant springs;
The lofty palace, or the temples crowns,
Or, raised on high, a sage or hero frowns.
Along the beds of sand in silence creep;
Through earth's dark veins work out their winding way,
And fresh to light from countless fountains play.
Heaven's generous purpose let us glad assist,
For general good. To yield is to be blest."
The river said; and with impetuous force
Rent the huge hills, and rushed along his course. 70
Along his infant stream, on either side
The lofty hills, in clouds, their summits hide;
In whose vast bowels, treasured dark and deep,
Exhaustless mines of lead in secret sleep.
But man, audacious man! whose stubborn pride
Free gifts disdains, and longs for all denied,
Mid central earth, bids hardy hands combine
To drag the metal from its mine;
Which, forc'd to light, forms the destructive ball,
At whose dire touch, fleets sink, and armies fall; 80
Seas blush with blood, while floats the crimson field;
Walls sink to dust, to rapine cities yield.
Nor death alone to fated realms it brings;
It to the cistern guides the distant springs;
The lofty palace, or the temples crowns,
Or, raised on high, a sage or hero frowns.
