Page:Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge).djvu/79

 (Those grassy hills, those glitt'ring dells Proudly ramparted with rocks) And Ocean mid his uproar wild Speaks safety to his ! Hence, for many a fearless age, Has social Quiet lov'd thy shore; Nor ever proud Invader's rage Or sack'd thy towers, or stain'd thy fields with gore.

Abandon'd of Heaven! mad Avarice thy guide, At cowardly distance, yet kindling with pride— Mid thy herds and thy corn-fields secure thou hast stood, And join'd the wild yelling of Famine and Blood! The nations curse thee, with eager wond'ring Shall hear ! like a vulture, scream! Strange-eyed ! who with many a dream Of central fires thro' nether seas upthund'ring Soothes her fierce solitude; yet as she lies By livid fount, or red volcanic stream, If ever to her lidless dragon-eyes, O Albion! thy predestin'd ruins rise, The fiend-hag on her perilous couch doth leap, Muttering distemper'd triumph in her charmed sleep. Errata