Page:The Carcanet.djvu/181

 ou art:

Still seem, as to my childhood's sight,

A midway station given For happy spirits to alight

Betwixt the earth and heaven.

Can all that optics teach, unfold

Thy form to please me so, As when I dreamt of gems and gold

Hid in thy radiant bow ?

When Science from Creation's face Enchantment's veil withdraws,

What lovely visions yield their place To cold material laws '.

And yet, fair bow! no fabling dreams, But words of the Most High,

Have told why first thy robe of beams Was woven in the sky.

When o'er the green undeluged earth Heaven's covenant thou didst shine,

How came the worlu's grey fathers forth To watch thy sacred sign !

And when its yellow lustre smiled

O'er mountains yet untrod, Each mother held aloft her child,

To bless the bow of God.