Page:Queen Mab (Shelley).djvu/21

II. :::Nor the feathery curtains
 * Stretching o'er the sun's bright couch,
 * Nor the burnished ocean waves
 * Paving that gorgeous dome,
 * So fair, so wonderful a sight

As Mab's ethereal palace could afford. Yet likest evening's vault, that faery Hall! As Heaven, low resting on the wave, it spread
 * Its floors of flashing light,
 * Its vast and azure dome,
 * Its fertile golden islands
 * Floating on a silver sea;

Whilst suns their mingling beamings darted Through clouds of circumambient darkness,
 * And pearly battlements around
 * Looked o'er the immense of Heaven.
 * The magic car no longer moved.
 * The Fairy and the Spirit
 * Entered the Hall of Spells:
 * Those golden clouds
 * That rolled in glittering billows
 * Beneath the azure canopy

With the ethereal footsteps, trembled not:
 * The light and crimson mists,

Floating to strains of thrilling melody
 * Through that unearthly dwelling,

Yielded to every movement of the will. Upon their passive swell the Spirit leaned, And, for the varied bliss that pressed around,
 * Used not the glorious privilege
 * Of virtue and of wisdom.