Select Poetry.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 652, 1 February 1869, Page 4

Select Poetry.

MONT BLANC, FJBOM THE JURA.

jfIfWAS late—the sun hart almost shone Vi> His last and best—when I rau on Anxious to reach that splendid view Before the day-beams quite withdrew ; And feeling as all feel, on first Approaching scenes, where, they are told, Such glories on their eyes will burst, As youthful bards in dreams behold.

'Twas distant yet, and, as I ran, Full often was my wistful gaze Turn'd to the sun, who now began To call in all his out-post rays, And form a denser march of light, Such as beseems a hero's flight. Oh, how I wish'd for Joshua's pow'r, To stay the brightness of that hour L But no—the sun still less became, Diminished to a speck, as splendid And small as were those tongues of flame ■ That on th' Apostles' heads descended!

'Twas at this instant—while there glow'd This last, intensest gleam of light— Suddenly, through the opening road, The valley burst upon my sight! That glorious valley, with its Lake, And Alps on Alps in clusters swelling, Mighty, and pure, and lit to make The ramparts of a Godhead's dwelling!

I stood entrane'd—as Eabbins say This whole assembled, gazing world ■Will stand, upon that awful day, When the Ark's light, aloft unfurl'd, Among the opening clouds shall shine, Divinity's own radiant sign!

Mighty Mont Blanc, thou wert to me, That minute, with thy brow in heaven, As sure a sign of Deity As e'er to mortal gaze was given. Nor ever, were I destin'd yet To live my life twice o'er again, Can I the deep-felt awe forget, The dream, the trance, that rapt me then!

'Twas all that consciousness of pow'r And life, beyond this mortal hour ; Those mountings of the soul within At thoughts of Heav'n—as birds begin By instinct in the cage to rise, "When near their time for change of skies ; That proud assurance of our claim To rank among the Sons of Light, Mingled with shame—oh, bitter shame!— At having risk'd that splendid right, Tor aught that earth, through all its range Of glories, offers in exchange! 'Twas all this, at that instant brought, like breaking sunshine, o'er my thought—'Twas all this, kindled to a glow Of sacred zeal, which, could it shine Thus purely ever, man might grow Ev'n upon earth, a thing divine, And be, once more, the creature made To walk, unstained, th' Elysian shade I

No, never shall I lose the trace Of what I've felt in this bright place: And, should my spirit's hope grow weak, Should I, 0 God, e'er doubt thy pow'r, This mighty scene again I'll seek, At the same calm and glowing hour, And here, at the sublimest shrine That Nature ever reared to Thee, Bekindle all that hope divine, And feel my immortality.

Mooee, Rhymes on the Road, 1819.