15
Nor let our startled Nature in amaze
Put aught dishonour on the learned toil,
That keeps a Rennel from his balmy sleep!
Put aught dishonour on the learned toil,
That keeps a Rennel from his balmy sleep!
Then now, O Muse, alighting from the car
Of that pale traveller, the crescent Moon,
Wakeful Diana, let us sit, and think,
By the bright glow-worm's lamp, that twinkling plays
Upon the dewy grass, what causes lead
The unembodied spirit to appear
In semblance of its person, to dislodge
Clear courage from the startled hearts of men?
Love opes the gate of Erebus; and God
Permits the streaming spirit to ascend,
Impatient of its woe, the while the Moon
Beguiles the over-dreaming Night, and sinks
The fair Creation in a deep repose.
Then walk the silent Spirits to the beds
Of Lovers, on whose lids the tears are wet,
And, waking their o'er-wearied sense, present
The image too belov'd, with gentle hope
Of that pale traveller, the crescent Moon,
Wakeful Diana, let us sit, and think,
By the bright glow-worm's lamp, that twinkling plays
Upon the dewy grass, what causes lead
The unembodied spirit to appear
In semblance of its person, to dislodge
Clear courage from the startled hearts of men?
Love opes the gate of Erebus; and God
Permits the streaming spirit to ascend,
Impatient of its woe, the while the Moon
Beguiles the over-dreaming Night, and sinks
The fair Creation in a deep repose.
Then walk the silent Spirits to the beds
Of Lovers, on whose lids the tears are wet,
And, waking their o'er-wearied sense, present
The image too belov'd, with gentle hope
