Classic Poem

When some vast Space , the Sight encloses round,
And does within its narrow Circle bound.
That Land , which Distance does so far remove,
As none beyond is seen, nor none above .
Which crown'd with an exalted Height does shew,
And that proud Height , crown'd with an heav'nly Blue ;
Imposes so on the mistaken Eye,
It seems no rising Earth , but falling Sky .
As if the Mountain , did not there ascend ,
But Heav'n descending softly, on it lean'd;
And seem'd to rest, upon that hanging Height ,
Which half way rose, to meet the glorious Weight .

As parts, in Prospect situated lie,
They pass with diff'ring Shades , into the Eye:
Those nearer to the common Level seen,
Presented in a fresh , and youthful Green .
And what afar off does approach the Sky ,
From that, its tincture borrows, and its dye .
Th' extremest Bounds of Land and Water , bear
The self same Colour , with the depths of Air .
A false Blue , claiming from their Place, and Site,
The Priviledge of Distance , and of Height .
The Sea , appearing like a greater Glass ,
Through which both Heav'n , and Earth , reflected pass,
Does this above, in its blue Surface show,
And that presents, in its green Depths below.
The Eye let down , with a descending Light ,
Finds in the hollow , of each Cave , a Night .
Such Darkness , shut up in each Depth , does dwell,
It seems to enter there, a little Hell .
The Sight , as it on diff'ring Poles does move,
Discovers Hell below, or Heav'n above.
With an erected Beam , ascending here,
Lets in the Day , to fill its op'ning Sphere ,
There, falling on some Deep , it puts to flight
The greater Light above, and lets in Night .