So Truth proclaims. I hear the sacred sound Burst from the centre of the burning throne. Where aye she fits with star-wreath lustre

crown'd, A bright sun clasps her adamantine zone.

So Truth proclaims : her awful voice I hear, With many a solemn pause it slowly meets my ear.

III. “ Attend, ye sons of men; attend, and say,” Does not enough of my refulgent ray

Break thro' the veil of your mortality!

Say does not reason in this form descry Unnumber'd, nameless glories, that surpass The Angel's floating pomp, the Seraph's glowing

grace?

IV.
Shall then your earth-born daughters vie
With me? Shall she, whose brightest eye

But emulate's the diamond's blaze,
Whose bosom mocks the fleecy snow,

Whose cheek the rose's damask glow,
Whose melting voice the warbling woodlark's lays;

Shall she be deem'd my rival? * Shall a form Of elemental dross, of mould’ring clay,

Vie with these charms imperial? The poor worm Shall prove her contest vain. Life's little day

a

ATHELWOLD had been guilty of a lye, that he might possess ELFRIDA.

Shall pass, and she is gone: while I appear, Flush'd with the bloom of youth thro’ heav'n's eternal year.

V.
Know, mortals, know; ere first ye sprung,
Ere first these orbs in æther hung,

I shone amid the heav'nly throng.
These

eyes

beheld Creation's day, This voice began the choral lay, And taught Archangels their triumphant song.

Pleas'd I survey'd bright Nature's gradual birth, Saw infant light with kindling lustre spread,

Soft vernal fragrance clothe the flow'ring earth, And Ocean heave on his extended bed ;

Saw the tall oak aspiring pierce the sky,
The tawny Lion stalk, the rapid eag

VI.
Laft, Man arose, erect in youthful grace,
Heav'n's hallow'd image stampt upon his face,

And, as he rose, the high beheft was giv'n,

“ That I alone of all the host of heav'ni, “Should reign Protectress of the godlike

youth.” Thus the Almighty spake : he spake and call'd

ZAS IS SUPPOSED TO LIE ON THE

THAMES, NEAR RICHMOND.

I.
N yonder grave a Druid lies

I wave!

The year's best sweets shall duteous rise
To deck it's Poet's sylvan grave !

II.
In yon deep bed of whisp'ring reeds

His airy harp * shall now be laid,
That he, whose heart in sorrow bleeds

May love thro' life the foothing shade.

The harp of Æolus, of which see a description in the CASTLE OF INDOLENCE.

III.
Then maids and youths shall linger here,

And while it's sounds at distance swell,
Shall fadly seem in Pity's ear
To hear the Woodland Pilgrim's knell.

IV.
Remembrance oft shall haunt the shore

When Thames in summer wreaths is drest,
And oft suspend the dashing oar
To bid his gentle spirit rest!

V.
And oft as Ease and Health retire

To breezy lawn, or forest deep,
The friend shall view yon whit’ning spire *,
And mid the varied landscape weep.

VI.
But Thou, who own'st that earthy bed,

Ah! what will ev'ry dirge avail ?
Or tears, which Love and Pity shed
That mourn beneath the gliding fail !

VII.
Yet lives there one, whose heedless eye

Shall scorn thy pale shrine glimm'ring near? With him, sweet bard, may Fancy die,

And Joy desert the blooming year.

VIII.
But thou, lorn Stream, whose sullen tide

No fedge-crown'd Sisters now attend,
Now waft me from the green hill's fide

Whose cold turf hides the buried Friend !

IX.

And fee, the fairy valleys fade,

Dun Night has veil'd the solemn view !
Yet once again, dear parted Shade,
Meek Nature's Child, again adieu !

X.
The genial meads assign'd to bless

Thy life, shall mourn thy early doom, Their hịnds, and shepherd-girls shall dress With simple hands thy rural tomb.

XI.
Long, long, thy stone and pointed clay

Shall melt the musing Briton's eyes,
O! Vales, and Wild Woods, shall He say

In yonder grave Your Druid lies!