Malvern Hills with Minor Poems, and Essays. By Joseph Cottle. Fourth Edition |
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“AND THE RUIN OF THAT HOUSE WAS
GREAT.”
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“AND THE RUIN OF THAT HOUSE WAS GREAT.”
Luke vi. 49.
1
BEHOLD yon tower its head uprear,Whose strength with adamant may vie;
The stablest forms that round appear
Shall perish ere it prostrate lie:
Its battlements shall see the day
When temples proud have pass'd away.
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The woods, that everlasting seem,The hills, that storms assault in vain;
The living sward, the stately stream,
The rocks, that ocean's self can chain,
All these, their ruins wide shall spread,
Before yon Tower shall bow its head.
3
Still loftier its presumptions rise,Smiling at each inferior boast,
It shall survive the azure skies,
Sun, moon, and all the starry host;
To fix it from mutation free,
The Highest uttered, “Let it be!”
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Grand destinations to fulfil,This tower — is Man's immortal Mind!
Endued with powers, expanding still,
That leave the labouring thought behind!
Its home, eternity! — that flame
Burning, and yet to burn, the same!
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How dread, to hazard such a state!A tower, so firm, at last to fall!
Were not its fearful ruins “great!”
If blasted by the Lord of all!
Long suffering still, O Father, spare!
And, for thyself, our souls prepare!
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