"I know the covert, for thence came I hither." Meanwhile in other realms big tears were shed, 155 160 165 Still sat, still snuff'd the incense, teeming up For as among us mortals omens drear 170 Not at dog's howl, or gloom-bird's hated screech, Upon the first toll of his passing-bell, Or prophesyings of the midnight lamp; 175 Oft made Hyperion ache. His palace bright Glar'd a blood-red through all its thousand courts, 180 And all its curtains of Aurorian clouds Flush'd angerly: while sometimes eagle's wings, Unseen before by Gods or wondering men, Darken'd the place; and neighing steeds were heard, 185 190 195 Not heard before by Gods or wondering men Stood full blown, for the God to enter in. He enter'd, but he enter'd full of wrath; 205 210 His flaming robes stream'd out beyond his heels, 215 That scar'd away the meek ethereal Hours And made their dove-wings tremble. On he flared, From stately nave to nave, from vault to vault, 220 225 O lank-ear'd Phantoms of black-weeded pools! 230 "Why do I know ye? why have I seen ye? why "Is my eternal essence thus distraught "To see and to behold these horrors new? "Am I to leave this haven of my rest, 235 "This cradle of my glory, this soft clime, "This calm luxuriance of blissful light, "Of all my lucent empire? It is left "Deserted, void, nor any haunt of mine. 240 "The blaze, the splendor, and the symmetry, "I cannot see-but darkness, death and darkness. "Even here, into my centre of repose, "The shady visions come to domineer, . "Insult, and blind, and stifle up my pomp.- 245 250 Not heard before by Gods or won Also, when he would taste the spic Of incense, breath'd aloft from sac Instead of sweets, his ample palat Savour of poisonous brass and met And so, when harbour'd in the sle After the full completion of fair da For rest divine upon exalted couch And slumber in the arms of melod He pac'd away the pleasant hours With stride colossal, on from hall While far within each aisle and de His winged minions in close cluste Amaz'd and full of fear; like anxi Who on wide plains gather in pant When earthquakes jar their battler Even now, while Saturn, rous'd fro Went step for step with Thea thro Hyperion, leaving twilight in the r Came slope upon the threshold of t Then, as was wont, his palace-door In smoothest silence, save what sol Blown by the serious Zephyrs, gave And wandering sounds, slow-breath And like a rose in vermeil tint and In fragrance soft, and coolness to th That inlet to severe magnificence Stood full blown, for the God to ent gloom their plumes immense utspreaded were; obe maintain'd eclipse, command. 155 handed, fair took throne 290 but for change. gh a primeval God: not be disturb'd. as here 'tis told. 295 e porches wide nesnes of night; enzied with new woes, ompulsion bent the time; f and radiance faint. with its stars ity, and the voice mn in his ear. dear, earth-born of Mysteries powers at whose joys pleasures soft, came and whence; It shapes they be, s divine, ous life ernal space: oh brightest child! 300 305 310 315 |