XXVII. "And when the Eagle came, that lovely thing, He came where that bright child of sea did swim, And o'er it cast in peace his shadow broad and dim. XXVIII. "This wakened me, it gave me human strength, Like thine, whose fate it is to make the woes Like mind while yet it mocks the all-devouring grave. XXIX. "And where was Laon? might my heart be dead, Of objects, if such aid he could be taught; But fruit, and flowers, and boughs, yet never ropes he brought. XXX. "We live in our own world, and mine was made Aye, we are darkened with their floating shade, Such power to me, I became fearless-hearted, Yon dim and fading clouds which load the weary wind. XXXI. "My mind became the book through which I grew To me the keeping of its secrets gave One mind, the type of all, the moveless wave And sympathy, fountains of hope and fear; Justice, and truth, and time, and the world's natural sphere. XXXII. "And on the sand would I make signs to range Of love, in that lorn solitude I caught From mine own voice in dream, when thy dear eyes Shone thro' my sleep, and did that utterance harmonize. XXXIII. "Thy songs were winds whereon I fled at will, Smiled on the flowery grave in which were lain XXXIV. "For to my will my fancies were as slaves And voice made deep with passion-thus I grew The power which has been mine to frame their thoughts anew, XXXV. "And thus my prison was the populous earth- And love made free,-a hope which we have nurst Even with our blood and tears,-until its glory burst. XXXVI. "All is not lost! there is some recompense Girt by its hell of power, the secret sound XXXVII. "Such are the thoughts which, like the fires that flare In storm-encompassed isles, we cherish yet In this dark ruin-such were mine even there; As in its sleep some odorous violet, While yet its leaves with nightly dews are wet, The buds foreknow their life-this hope must ever rise. XXXVIII. "So years had past, when sudden earthquake rent The depth of ocean and the cavern crackt With sound, as if the world's wide continent Had fallen in universal ruin wrackt; And thro' the cleft streamed in one cataract, Whose banded waves that crystal cave had sacked Before me yawned-a chasm desert, and bare, and broad, " XXXIX. Above me was the sky, beneath the sea: I stood upon a point of shattered stone, And heard loose rocks rushing tumultuously Quivered beneath my feet, the broad Heaven shone XL. "My spirit moved upon the sea like wind Cast anchor when they saw new rocks around them spread. XLI. And when they saw one sitting on a crag, They sent a boat to me;-the sailors rowed In awe thro' many a new and fearful jag Of overhanging rock, thro' which there flowed The foam of streams that cannot make abode. They came and questioned me, but when they heard My voice, they became silent, and they stood And moved as men in whom new love had stirred Deep thoughts: so to the ship we past without a word. Canto Eighth. I. "I SATE beside the steersman then, and gazing Haste, haste to the warm home of happier destiny!' II. "The Mariners obeyed-the Captain stood By wicked ghosts: a Phantom of the Dead, Her low voice makes you weep-she is some bride, Or daughter of high birth-she can be nought beside.' III. "We past the islets, borne by wind and stream, And as we sailed, the Mariners came near And thronged around to listen;-in the gleam Of the pale moon I stood, as one whom fear May not attaint, and my calm voice did rear; 6 Ye all are human-yon broad moon gives light To millions who the self-same likeness wear, Even while I speak-beneath this very night, Their thoughts flow on like ours, in saduess or delight. |