Classic Poem

XI.

“I could not choose but enter there;
And passing down the new-made cell,
I left the clear and moonlight air,
Where dark his shadow fell.

XII.

“With easy slope the passage dived,
And on I travelled far and slow,
Till through the vault my steps arrived
Where light from heaven appear'd to flow.

XIII.

“I saw a valley broad and green,
Where trees and rocks were scattered round,
And hills of ancient wood were seen
Encircling all the quiet ground.

XIV.

“Old trees and vast, with caves of shade,
Bright waters foaming down the steep,
Green hues that dappled all the glade,
Grey rocks that lay in awful sleep.

XV.

“And over all a sky was spread
Of woodland violet's deepest glow,
While amber pale and ruby red
Hung o'er the winding hills below.

XVI.

“And 'mid this sky without a moon
Great beaming stars of golden blaze,
Like flaming garlands thickly strewn,
Filled all the world with whispering rays.

XVII.

“Then o'er my head a sound I knew
Of many swift and gentle wings;
Sweet airy music o'er me flew,
And seemed to wheel in blended rings.

XVIII.

“And sooner then than eye could see
With life the earth and skies o'erflowed,
And grass and rock, and hill and tree,
Ten thousand radiant beings showed.

XIX.

“'Twas Angels all, a dazzling throng,
With wings of rose and golden down,
With hair of sunbeams pale and long,
To each bright face a streaming crown.

XX.

“They floated o'er the trees and rocks,
They sat o'er all the grassy dell,
They hid the hills in glancing flocks,
And seemed amid the stars to dwell.