Page:Queen Mab (Shelley).djvu/18

12 Appeared a vast and shadowy sphere;
 * The sun's unclouded orb
 * Rolled through the black concave;
 * Its rays of rapid light

Parted around the chariot's swifter course,
 * And fell, like ocean's feathery spray
 * Dashed from the boiling surge
 * Before a vessel's prow.


 * The magic car moved on.
 * Earth's distant orb appeared

The smallest light that twinkles in the heaven;
 * Whilst round the chariot's way
 * Innumerable systems rolled,
 * And countless spheres diffused
 * An ever-varying glory.
 * It was a sight of wonder: some
 * Were horned like the crescent moon;
 * Some shed a mild and silver beam
 * Like Hesperus o'er the western sea;
 * Some dash'd athwart with trains of flame,
 * Like worlds to death and ruin driven;

Some shone like suns, and as the chariot passed,
 * Eclipsed all other light.


 * Spirit of Nature! here!
 * In this interminable wilderness
 * Of worlds, at whose immensity
 * Even soaring fancy staggers,
 * Here is thy fitting temple.
 * Yet not the lightest leaf