Page:The Temple of Fame - Pope (1715).pdf/15

 Now a clear Sun the shining Scene displays, The transient Landscape now in Clouds decays. O'er the wide Prospect as I gaz'd around, Sudden I heard a wild promiscuous Sound, Like broken Thunders that at distance roar, Or Billows murm'ring on the hollow Shoar: Then gazing up, a glorious Pile beheld, Whose tow'ring Summit ambient Clouds conceal'd. High on a Rock of Ice the Structure lay, Steep its Ascent, and slipp'ry was the Way; The wond'rous Rock like Parian Marble shone, And seem'd to distant Sight of solid Stone. Inscriptions here of various Names I view'd, The greater Part by hostile Time subdu'd; Yet wide was spread their Fame in Ages past, And Poets once had promis'd they should last. Some