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THE ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY.
Then fancy, as religion, loved to fillThe earth with shapes of beauty: in the air,
In the blue foaming sea, dwelt shapes as fair
As their sweet dwellings. Lingering shadows still
Haunt with their presence many a Grecian hill,
Making the lovely lovelier. None are there
To bow in their majestic temples; ne'er,
With choral song and linkëd dance, to kill
The stately flower-enwreathëd milk-white steer,
Now godlike youths and daughters of the earth
Go bounding up, awe shadowing, as near
The porch the long procession draws, their mirth.
O fair belief, though reason scoffs at thee,
Still thou the poet's faith must ever be.
November 26th, 1842.
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