I stood on Brocken's sovran height, and saw
Woods crowding upon woods, hills over hills,
A surging scene, and only limited
By the blue distance. Heavily my way
Downward I dragged through fir groves evermore,
Where bright green moss heaves in sepulchral forms
Speckled with sunshine ; and, but seldom heard.
The sweet bird's song became a hollow sound
;
And the breeze, murmuring invisibly,
Preserved its solemn murmur most distinct
From many a note of man}'^ a waterfall.
And the brook's chatter ; mid whose islet stones
The dingy kidling with its tinkling bell
Leaped frolicsome, or old romantic goat
Sat, his white beard slow waving. I moved on
In low and languid mood; for I had found
That outward forms, the loftiest, still receive
Their finer influence from the life wathin ; —
Fair ciphers else : fair, but of import vague
Or unconcerning, where the heart not finds
History or prophecy of friend, or child,
Or gentle maid, our first and early love.
Or father, or the venerable name
Of our adored country! O thou Queen,
Thou delegated Deity of earth.
HAllZ MOUNTAINS. 131
O dear, dear England I how my longing eye
Turned westward, sliaj)ing in the steady clouds
Tliy sauds and high white cliifs !
My native land !
rilled with the thought of thee this heart was proud,
Yea, mine eye swam with tears : that all the view
From sovran Brocken, woods and woody hills,
Floated away, like a departing dream,
Feeble and dim ! Stranger, these impulses
Blame thou not lightly; nor will I profane,
With hasty judgment or injurious doubt.
That man's sublimer spirit, who can feel
That God is everywhere ! the God who framed
Mankind to be one niighty family,
Himself our Father, and the world our home.