AN IMITATION.
31
AN IMITATION.
As once I dreamed, methought I strayed
Within a snow-clad mountain’s shade;
From whose far height the silence bore
One charméd word, “Excelsior!”
Within a snow-clad mountain’s shade;
From whose far height the silence bore
One charméd word, “Excelsior!”
And, as upon my soul it fell,
It bound me with a fearful spell;
It shut the sweet vale from my sight,
And called me up that dazzling height
It bound me with a fearful spell;
It shut the sweet vale from my sight,
And called me up that dazzling height
I could not choose but heed its tone,
And climb that dreary path alone;
And now around me hung the gloom,
Where the storm-spirit makes his home
And climb that dreary path alone;
And now around me hung the gloom,
Where the storm-spirit makes his home
Upon my head the tempests beat;
Dark caverns opened at my feet;
The thunders rolled, the lightnings flashed
And fierce the swollen torrents dashed.
Dark caverns opened at my feet;
The thunders rolled, the lightnings flashed
And fierce the swollen torrents dashed.
