Page:Poems of Nature and Life.djvu/370

 360 CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE

Struck at the sight with awe profound, My wandering eyes beheld entranced ;

I kneeled with reverence on the ground, While slow the stately form advanced.

I watched his proud and lofty air,

Scarce deemed such nobleness could be,

Transcending all things bright and fair. Such wonderful tranquillity.

Now I, though but an idle wight, Yet loved all excellence to see ;

And, though I toyed with trifles light. The beautiful was dear to me.

But yet, although to manhood grown, My troubled spirit knew no rest ;

No guiding law my thoughts had known, And aimless longings filled my breast.

Bereft of hope I careless roved,

And every formless phantom chased ;

Onward a dreaming ghost I moved ; The world seemed but a tangled waste.

"O, give me, Heaven ! " I oft would say, " Some sacred truth to feel and know,

That I may follow night and day,

Till life shall like these waters flow."

So, when I saw that spirit's face, All beaming with the inward mind.

Gladly would I have run his race.

And all earth's cares have left behind.

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