10. The pipe of Pan, to shepherds Couched in the shadow of Monalian pines, This way and that, with wild-flowers crowned. Of Fable, though to truth subservient, hear The convict's summons in the steeple's knell. For terror, joy, or pity, 11. Vast is the compass and the swell of notes: Ye wandering Utterances, has earth no scheme, Powers that survive but in the faintest dream As laboured minstrelsies through ages wear! Of the Unsubstantial, pondered well! By one pervading spirit 12. Of tones and numbers all things are controlled, As sages taught, where faith was found to merit Initiation in that mystery old. The heavens, whose aspect makes our minds as still As they themselves appear to be, With everlasting harmony; The towering headlands, crowned with mist, Their feet among the billows, know That Ocean is a mighty harmonist; Thy pinions, universal Air, Ever waving to and fro, Are delegates of harmony, and bear Strains that support the Seasons in their round; Stern Winter loves a dirge-like sound. 13. Break forth into thanksgiving, Ye banded instruments of wind and chords; Your inarticulate notes with the voice of words! Nor mute the forest hum of noon; Thou too be heard, lone eagle! freed All worlds, all natures, mood and measure keep 14. A Voice to Light gave Being; To Time, and Man his earth-born Chronicler; The trumpet (we, intoxicate with pride, The grave shall open, quench the stars. O Silence! are Man's noisy years Is Harmony, blest queen of smiles and tears, Thy destined bond-slave? No! though earth be dust And vanish, though the heavens dissolve, her stay Is in the WORD, that shall not pass away. 1823. TO THE SONS OF BURNS, AFTER VISITING THE GRAVE OF THEIR FATHER "The Poet's grave is in a corner of the churchyard. We looked at it with melancholy and painful reflections, repeating to each other his own verses "Is there a man whose judgment clear,' &c." Extract from the Journal of my Fellow-traveller. 'MID crowded obelisks and urns I sought the untimely grave of Burns; And more would grieve, but that it turns Through twilight shades of good and ill |