 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
105
THE JUNGFRAU UNVEILED
FROM WENGERN ALP
Loud torrent voices bellowed through the mist,
The Trumlenthal was filled with awe and sound,
We almost felt the avalanche shake the ground,
As downward through the cloud the ice-balls hissed;
Then, like a lover, lo! the strong sun kissed
His virgin-bride, the veil that clung around
Was tenderly disparted, snowy-crowned
Her glorious head to azure heights uprist.
The Trumlenthal was filled with awe and sound,
We almost felt the avalanche shake the ground,
As downward through the cloud the ice-balls hissed;
Then, like a lover, lo! the strong sun kissed
His virgin-bride, the veil that clung around
Was tenderly disparted, snowy-crowned
Her glorious head to azure heights uprist.
Even as I gazed the marvel seemed to grow,
For on her breast a flowing scarf was seen,
Fold upon fold translucently revealed,
Part silver-frosted and part emerald-green,—
I knew not which was fairer, crown of snow,
Or that deep-wrinkled, wondrous glacier-field.
For on her breast a flowing scarf was seen,
Fold upon fold translucently revealed,
Part silver-frosted and part emerald-green,—
I knew not which was fairer, crown of snow,
Or that deep-wrinkled, wondrous glacier-field.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |