University of Virginia Library

Come, my ambitious! let us mount together,
(To mount, Lorenzo never can refuse,)
And from the clouds, where Pride delights to dwell,
Look down on Earth.—What seest thou? Wondrous things!
Terrestrial wonders, that eclipse the skies.
What lengths of labour'd lands! what loaded seas!
Loaded by man for pleasure, wealth, or war!
Seas, winds, and planets, into service brought,
His art acknowledge, and promote his ends.
Nor can the' eternal rocks his will withstand:
What levell'd mountains, and what lifted vales!
O'er vales and mountains sumptuous cities swell,
And gild our landscape with their glittering spires.
Some 'mid the wondering waves majestic rise;
And Neptune holds a mirror to their charms.
Far greater still! (what cannot mortal might?)
See wide dominions ravish'd from the deep:
The narrow'd deep with indignation foams.
Or southward turn: to delicate and grand
The finer arts there ripen in the sun.
How the tall temples, as to meet their gods,
Ascend the skies! The proud triumphal arch
Shows us half heaven beneath its ample bend.
High through mid-air, here streams are taught to flow;
Whole rivers, there, laid by in basins, sleep.
Here, plains turn oceans; there, vast oceans join
Through kingdoms channell'd deep from shore to shore,
And changed Creation takes its face from man.
Beats thy brave breast for formidable scenes.
Where fame and empire wait upon the sword?
See fields in blood; hear naval thunders rise,—
Britannia's voice, that awes the world to peace!
How yon enormous mole projecting breaks
The mid-sea furious waves! Their roar amidst,
Out-speaks the Deity, and says, “O main!
Thus far, nor farther! new restraints obey.”
Earth's disembowell'd! measured are the skies!
Stars are detected in their deep recess!
Creation widens! vanquish'd Nature yields!
Her secrets are extorted! Art prevails!
What monuments of genius, spirit, power!