 | Rhapsodies |  |
84
THE ABBEY PORCH, AND MELANCHOLY MAN'S CONTEMPLATION.
The moon was pale, the stars were bright,
I pensive walk'd along;
The abbey porch appear'd in sight,
I heard the raven's song.
I pensive walk'd along;
The abbey porch appear'd in sight,
I heard the raven's song.
And as it cried, I trembled sore;
I paus'd, with fear oppress'd;
I stopp'd, where once the friendly door
Was ope' to the distress'd.
I paus'd, with fear oppress'd;
I stopp'd, where once the friendly door
Was ope' to the distress'd.
Beside the porch was hewn a seat,
By time worn to decay,
Which once the traveller would greet
When wandering on his way.
By time worn to decay,
Which once the traveller would greet
When wandering on his way.
I sat me down with pensive mien,
Upon my hand reclin'd:
Rude storms, quoth I, this pile hath seen,
Ill fate hath worn my mind.
Upon my hand reclin'd:
Rude storms, quoth I, this pile hath seen,
Ill fate hath worn my mind.
85
The time has been, this ruin'd mass
Was splendid to the sight:
I once was gay, but now, alas!
My soul knows no delight.
Was splendid to the sight:
I once was gay, but now, alas!
My soul knows no delight.
Where echoed once the hymn of praise,
Now howls the nipping blast;
The jocund strain no more I raise,
Joy's beam is overcast.
Now howls the nipping blast;
The jocund strain no more I raise,
Joy's beam is overcast.
A cloud of sorrow dims that sun
Whose radiance warm'd my breast;
I'm melancholy, lost, undone:
To die were to be bless'd.
Whose radiance warm'd my breast;
I'm melancholy, lost, undone:
To die were to be bless'd.
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