A POEM.
109
White mountain clouds, whose tops as bright appear
As Zembla's glittering frost-rocks hung in air:
Low sink well imitated vales between,
And shaggy cliffs o'er black abysses lean;
Woods shake on high the swift dissolving shade,
While towns, with spires and turrets fair, pourtrayed,
And magic castles lofty heaven invade.
Now, lively painted with the setting ray, 670
The shining clouds adorn departing day.
As Phœbus sinks serene in splendor bright,
Behind him flows a sea of golden light,
To tinge the skirts of clouds with purple glow,
And all the hues which gild the watery bow;
The various shades of light it ceaseless tries,
And, sunk at last in deepest fable, dies;
When, mild and soft, the evening dew descends,
As lovers' sighs, or words of parting friends.
But as he from the amber plains retires, 680
Brighter and stronger flame the heavenly fires;
And Phebe from the east, advancing bright,
Majestic moves along, the queen of night:
Benighted travellers bless her friendly rays;
From trembling streams a silver radiance plays:
To needful rest retire the nymphs and swains,
And solemn silence reigns o'er all the plains. 687
As Zembla's glittering frost-rocks hung in air:
Low sink well imitated vales between,
And shaggy cliffs o'er black abysses lean;
Woods shake on high the swift dissolving shade,
While towns, with spires and turrets fair, pourtrayed,
And magic castles lofty heaven invade.
Now, lively painted with the setting ray, 670
The shining clouds adorn departing day.
As Phœbus sinks serene in splendor bright,
Behind him flows a sea of golden light,
To tinge the skirts of clouds with purple glow,
And all the hues which gild the watery bow;
The various shades of light it ceaseless tries,
And, sunk at last in deepest fable, dies;
When, mild and soft, the evening dew descends,
As lovers' sighs, or words of parting friends.
But as he from the amber plains retires, 680
Brighter and stronger flame the heavenly fires;
And Phebe from the east, advancing bright,
Majestic moves along, the queen of night:
Benighted travellers bless her friendly rays;
From trembling streams a silver radiance plays:
To needful rest retire the nymphs and swains,
And solemn silence reigns o'er all the plains. 687
FINIS.
