Page:Summer on the lakes, in 1843.djvu/66

Come in a moment, in a moment gone,

They answered me, then left me still more lone,

They told me that the thought which ruled the world,

As yet no sail upon its course had furled,

That the creation was but just begun,

New leaves still leaving from the primal one,

But spoke not of the goal to which my rapid wheels would run.

Still, still my eyes, though tearfully, I strained

To the far future which my heart contained,

And no dull doubt my proper hope profaned.

At last, O bliss, thy living form I spied,

 Then a mere speck upon a distant sky,

Yet my keen glance discerned its noble pride,

 And the full answer, of that sun-filled eye;

I knew it was the wing that must upbear

My earthlier form into the realms of air.

Thou knowest how we gained that beauteous height,

Where dwells the monarch of the sons of light,

Thou knowest he declared us two to be

The chosen servants of his ministry,

Thou as his messenger, a sacred sign

Of conquest, or with omen more benign,

To give its due weight to the righteous cause,

To express the verdict of Olympian laws.

And I to wait upon the lonely spring,

 Which slakes the thirst of bards to whom 'tis given

The destined dues of hopes divine to sing,

 And weave the needed chain to bind to heaven.

Only from such could be obtained a draught

For him who in his early home from Jove's own cup has quaffed.