 | Poems |  |
III.
The glancing myriads rise—above, around,
Before—still, still upon the encumbered sight
They throng, they grow; on every side in swarms
Increasing, as by mirrors multiplied
Innumerable! lo, how the glittering shoals
Floating in quick succession through the blue
Vacuity, glide by the trancëd gaze,
Serenely swift, as sweep shores, fields, and trees,
And grazing cattle past a flying bark!
Before—still, still upon the encumbered sight
They throng, they grow; on every side in swarms
Increasing, as by mirrors multiplied
Innumerable! lo, how the glittering shoals
Floating in quick succession through the blue
Vacuity, glide by the trancëd gaze,
Serenely swift, as sweep shores, fields, and trees,
And grazing cattle past a flying bark!
And mark! extant from out the studded Depths,
Of those which nearer strew our airy path
Each as it rapidly approaches seems
A spark—a star—a luminous orb—a globe
Immense, upon its separate aim intent,
And walking lone in silent confidence
Its settled way—ponderous, dilating sphere,
Hanging in solitude!—then shrinking fast,
From globe to luminous orb—to star—to spark,
Again it twinkles in the gemmed expanse,
And in the brilliant masses merging, flies!
185
Each as it rapidly approaches seems
A spark—a star—a luminous orb—a globe
Immense, upon its separate aim intent,
And walking lone in silent confidence
Its settled way—ponderous, dilating sphere,
Hanging in solitude!—then shrinking fast,
From globe to luminous orb—to star—to spark,
Again it twinkles in the gemmed expanse,
And in the brilliant masses merging, flies!
| Poems | |