80
TO A LONG-PARTED FRIEND.
The rocks that lock the Vale's monotony
In quiet, once our mutual vision spanned;
Since then by distant pathways, painfully
We have been climbing both, now hand-in-hand
Together on the steep ascent we stand,
And see the spot where then we parted lie
Beneath us like a speck; now through the haze,
Disparting for a moment, we will gaze
Down on the Alpine hamlet, till we hear
Its songs and sheepfold tinklings rising clear,
Then lift an upward heaven-aspiring eye
Together, ere our tracks break suddenly,
And we go onwards through the cloud and mist
Alone, yet cheerful! on the Hill, dear Friend,
Ere evening-light its cold white brow hath kissed,
Tingeing its snows with rose and amethyst,
Once more those far-diverging lines may blend!
In quiet, once our mutual vision spanned;
Since then by distant pathways, painfully
We have been climbing both, now hand-in-hand
Together on the steep ascent we stand,
And see the spot where then we parted lie
Beneath us like a speck; now through the haze,
Disparting for a moment, we will gaze
Down on the Alpine hamlet, till we hear
Its songs and sheepfold tinklings rising clear,
Then lift an upward heaven-aspiring eye
Together, ere our tracks break suddenly,
And we go onwards through the cloud and mist
Alone, yet cheerful! on the Hill, dear Friend,
Ere evening-light its cold white brow hath kissed,
Tingeing its snows with rose and amethyst,
Once more those far-diverging lines may blend!
