University of Virginia Library


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II. CAVERN.

Spirits, list! unhallow'd eyes
Daring view our mysteries—
Thro' the cavern as ye fled
Heard ye not a mortal tread?
E'er he rashly venture near,
Warn we thus his eager ear:
‘Bold intruder! breathe no sound—
‘Softly, softly stalk around:
‘Silent view the wondrous scene,
‘Work divine of forms unseen—
‘Trembling gaze, nor rudely brave
‘Spirits of the secret cave!
‘High in airy splendor hung,
‘We the lucid gems have strung,
‘Flashing on thy ravish'd sight
‘Quivering floods of liquid light;

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‘Purer radiance, milder rays
‘Than the solar beam displays.
‘We the massy rock have rent,
‘We the ponderous arch have bent;
‘Streams assuming shapes unknown
‘Pendant frown, congeal'd to stone;
‘Monstrous forms, to daunt thine eyes,
‘At our bidding instant rise.
‘Favour'd mortal! haste away:
‘Hie thee to the realms of day!
‘E'er our mystic shouts rebound
‘Dreadful, thro' the vast profound;
‘E'er we shroud thy soul in night;
‘Swiftly, swiftly speed thy flight!’