Classic Poem

Wand'ring and wild, with chills of deep dismay,
A woe worn traveller took his dreary way.
Deep was the gloom, and solemn midnight spread
Its awful shadows round his houseless head,
And thick the forest stood; no thought cou'd tell
What dangers there, or savage wolves might dwell.
Trembling he paus'd — and scarce cou'd hope serene
Afford one ray to chear the gloomy scene.
Ah! — Was it fancy? — Or a female form,
Which dared to venture thro' the gath'ring storm?
Undeck'd with ornament, in rustic vest
(Yet pure and spotless) was the damsel drest;
Her eyes of timid blue, and softly bright —
Oft on the ground they turn'd their bashful light;
And oft a glow upon her cheek wou'd rise,
Like the soft twilight of the summer skies!
With modest courtesy she thus began,
As some kind angel might have spoke to man. —
" Whither, ah whither dost thou take thy course
" Oh seek not in those shades a dire resource!
" For know, sequester'd in its noisome cells
" By serpents guarded, grim destruction dwells.
" Far from thy present view, a structure stands
" Of heavenly mould, not built by mortal hands,
" There will I lead thee, for methinks I see
" A votary to my honour'd Queen in thee.
" A mistress that I serve, divinely fair,
" In pomp and splendour dwells unrivall'd there;
" And shou'dst thou trust me, homely tho' I seem,
" I'll crown thy hopes with happiness supreme;
" Or lead thee to a fair thy heart may chuse,
" And golden treasure which thou canst not lose. "
Amaz'd the traveller stood — a radiant light
Confounds at once his timid wond'ring sight;
Perplex'd he views — and scarce cou'd fond belief
Presume with rapture, to dissolve his grief.
" Yes; I will trust thee, then, " he faintly cried,
" Oh gentle maid! I'll take thee for my guide,
" Rich are thy offers, gen'rous, frank, and free,
" But most that soothing smile enchants in thee. "

" Away! fond youth! — no flattery I allow " —
And lo, a frown obscures the damsel's brow,
" The courtier's language from thy speech expel,
" Or know — I take at once my last farewel! "

Abash'd he stood — yet wond'ring he survey'd
How vanity cou'd miss so fair a maid! —
And now thro' devious paths, they took their road
Where many an hideous gulph its aspect shew'd,
And many a narrow way and lowly vale
Where oft the lilly cast its blossoms pale,
And flowers of humble growth perfum'd the air
As village nymphs, or innocence might wear!

Long was the dreary wood these trav'llers pass'd
But sweet success shall crown their toils at last.
High on a lofty mount of verdure bright,
A glorious palace charms the gazer's sight!
Its chrystal gates illum'd with heav'nly rays
To mortal eyes, appear'd with dazzling blaze.

Twelve princely columns of stupendous height
Sustain'd the dome, and shew'd the artists might
While on its top a golden eagle stood
And taught to gaze on Heaven its infant brood.
Two tutor'd lions close their station kept,
Like faithful centinels, by turns they slept;
But mild and courteous — to the honest guest
A welcome unforeseen their looks express'd.

The weary traveller with his guardian fair
With silent awe, beheld a scene so rare;
'Twas strange! — where stately guards their post maintain'd,
The humble damsel still an entrance gain'd!
But now, a nobler scene his wonder fires
And kindles in his soul its best desires —
Bright on a throne of precious jaspar made,
Crown'd with a diadem of stars display'd. —
Her shining tresses flowing on her breast
Of matchless white — and deck'd in azure vest,
Glowing with beauty and immortal youth
Resplendent sate, the radiant Queen of Truth.
No earthly charms — no form with her's cou'd shine,
'Twas virtue seen — 'twas perfect, 'twas divine! —
With courteous smile, she view'd the rustic maid,
" Welcome humility, " she sweetly said,
" Thy gentle art a votary oft has given,
" And rear'd my pupils for the courts of Heaven.
" But graver wisdom must the work complete,
" And give this hopeful guest a calm retreat:
" There may he learn the silent useful art
" To penetrate his own unconscious heart. —
" Go, gentle youth! — but hold for ever dear
" The kind and gen'rous nymph who brought thee " here!
" To science even, my soul her voice prefers.
" And know, my key of peace is ever her's. "

Then with a noble, a majestic look,
The lovely Queen a sacred volume took —
That power; that heavenly language which can speak
The beauteous glow that beams on Mercy's cheek,
When softly she unlocks the captive's cell
To tell him, life's restored — and all is well!
May paint her charms ineffable; when Truth
Bestow'd this treasure on the grateful youth
He thanks her with a meek yet graceful mien,
And swore allegiance to the matchless Queen,
Ah me! — He little thought the caitiff sin
Still lurk'd a traitor, in his breast within.
And many a battle rude must mark his way
To Truth's fair mansion's in the realms of day.
Slowly reluctant! — with her charms imprest,
He now withdraws, to taste of welcome rest;
And softer were the calm delicious hours,
Than ere was felt in luxury's festive bowers!
Refresh'd he 'woke — from fev'rish tumults free,
And breath'd the dawn of life and liberty.

SECOND CANTO .

Now the sweet lark began his early song,
No fear the anxious youth shou'd slumber long!
Light from his couch he sprung, alert and gay,
With expectation wing'd to meet the day!
Beneath his window, flowers of various hue,
And fragrant blossoms drank the morning dew.
Wond'rous indeed, the climate here must be,
For autumn too display'd its treasures free.
Luxuriant boughs reveal'd the gard'ner's care,
And shew'd such fruits as Paradise might bear.
Beyond th' encircling lawn, there rose sublime:
Majestic trees — the growth of antient time;
They form'd an avenue of awful length
Exceeding far the eye of mortal strength.
Th' aspiring youth, with ardour to explore
Such beauteous scenes as ne'er he view'd before,
With bold presumption panting in his breast
Rush'd from his chamber of nocturnal rest.
Firm were his nerves, and swift his motions too,
But, soon his fearless heart its weakness knew.
Inclos'd in chrystal walls, a prisoner still,
His power was small, tho' boundless was his will.
An heavenly inmate of the beauteous place
Beheld him, wand'ring with disorder'd pace,
And gently call'd him with superior grace,
" Presume not stranger! helpless as thou art,
" At once to gain the wishes of thy heart!
" Prepare thee first to hear instruction meek,
" For he who roams, her pow'rful aid must seek.
" The treasures here, exhaustless and divine
" Before thy feeble sight in vain wou'd shine.
" Yet may'st thou see, if patience guides thy way,
" A nobler scene than monarchs can display;
" And shou'd so pure an air thy wishes suit,
" Eternal joy shall crown thy blest pursuit,
" Cast round thine eyes " — the youth obey'd with awe,
Grav'd on the walls a sacred scroll he saw
In letters — not of gold, but crimson hue
And ting'd with fire, " Religion " met his view?
A stately door was seen — with aspect grave
A friendly porter here admission gave;
He welcom'd all by gracious Truth's command:
A wond 'rous wand conspicuous in his hand. —
Whate'er it touch'd (still faithful to its trust)
If error's work, wou'd moulder into dust;
Tho' richly deck'd, and even with jewels rare,
Its texture must dissolve, in empty air!
Dazzling to view, a chrystal mirror stood,
Pure and transparent as the cleansing flood,
All was reflected there — the eye survey'd
In this strange glass surprising changes made?
The proud gigantic folio oft wou'd shrink,
And even in straw the diadem wou'd shrink.
Blots wou'd appear to spoil the fairest line,
And round the gilded picture snakes wou'd twine?
The beauteous face wou'd seem no longer fair
But almost fright us with Medusa's air,
Whilst meek deformity a grace would shew
And misery's cheek wou'd wear a cherub's glow:
— Here many an humble work in rubbish cast
In Truth's bright catalogue, wou'd shine at last,
Not in first rank of those she most reveres
But honoured still, philosophy appears;
The hoary sage his stately bust displays!
And Plato shines with still superior rays;
And near that holy Book asserts its right
Which here unseal'd, diffuses glorious light.

Around, with just resemblance — shines sublime
Truth's noble advocates, of ev'ry clime:
Array'd in armour, with imperial grace
Her blood-stain'd warriors deck the solemn place.
Victorious Constantine and numbers more
Who once the christian cross triumphant bore. —
Immortal Constantine! — in treasur'd lines
Thy name in Britain's page tho' faintly, shines!
Bright was the day which nurs'd thy infant youth
And plac'd thy banners, in the court of Truth! —
With milder dignity, and look serene,
Majestic wisdom at his desk was seen;
Close at his side appear'd a sprightly youth
Tho' lov'd, not flatter'd, in the realms of Truth;
Oft in his cheek the mantling glow would rise
And beams of rapture sparkled in his eyes —
Sometimes a look enamour'd wou'd they cast
On fancy's form, when graver toils were past;
And fancy with a warm congenial flame,
Admir'd the youth — for Genius was his name!
She dared not here exert her captious power,
Lest pois'nous weeds shou'd mingle with the flower.
Bright Spenser's muse, and some in virtue's sphere,
Had gain'd their point, and brought the damsel here;
Where watch'd with care she played her humble part,
And deck'd the palace with her pleasing art;
And sometimes too, to charm the youthful guest,
Her flowers wou'd grace ev'n Truth's imperial breast.

Here the calm soul, immortal grandeur felt
Reflection mild, and peaceful order dwelt,
The stranger youth, at first submissive, mild,
Obey'd instruction, like a duteous child;
With careful tenderness his task was plann'd
And courteous wisdom took his yielding hand.
Grave prudence mark'd the hour, and reason's voice
Within his soul might bless so wise a choice;
Ah no! — rebellious sin, tho' long supprest,
Rose like a serpent, from its horrid nest!
With murm'ring pride, wou'd inward nature moan,
And claim degen'rate freedom for her own.
Now gen'rous zeal, and diligence grows faint,
The task is loath'd, and order seems restraint!
Disgraceful indolence resumes its power,
And wild impatience spurns the tranquil hour. —
" Why thus " it asks, " the precious time employ,
" The morn of health, of liberty, and joy?
" Fly hence! — from rules, from discipline severe,
" Let mean and groveling minds be fetter'd here!
" Tis thine my friend, to share the dancing hours
" Where pleasure's hand shall crown thy head with " flow'rs,
" And music, with her soft enchanting strain,
" Shall sweetly warble, far o'er freedom's plain. "
Delusive words! — alas they quickly stole
Like syren magic on his captive soul!
Ungrateful youth! he takes a last adieu
And quits the scene with scarce a parting view —
Tho' wisdom sighs, he seeks not to detain —
For when the heart denies, advice is vain!
Just as the hapless wild, ungovern'd youth
Flies from the court, he views the form of Truth,
But dares not gaze — those eyes which shone so bright
Were now too dazzling for his abject sight!
That heavenly look, unworthy to survey
He flies, to other scenes, more light and gay.
Alas in vain — tho' Truth he cou'd forsake,
Still her fair image keeps his soul awake;
Her radiant smile, like Heaven's transcendant beam,
Still faintly glimmers in his midnight dream,
Then seems to vanish! — and a death like gloom
Of doubts, and wretchedness supplies its room!
In folly's group, tho' painted to ensnare,
Not one is half so graceful, half so fair! —
Confusion fills his soul — he feels the dart
Of keen conviotion fest'ring in his heart.
Tortur'd with passion, envy, and disdain,
He feels not freedom — but a galling chain,
And all his hope, amid the frantic scene
Is once more to behold his charming Queen .