XIII. I saw them-and they were the same, They were not changed like me in frame; I saw their thousand years of snow On high-their wide long lake below, And then there was a little isle, * Which in my very face did smile, The only one in view ; A small green isle, it seem'd no more, And o'er it blew the mountain breeze, 340 And by it there were waters flowing, And on it there were young flowers growing, Of gentle breath and hue. The fish swam by the castle wall, And they seemed joyous each and all; The eagle rode the rising blast, The darkness of my dim abode Fell on me as a heavy load; It was as is a new-dug grave, Closing o'er one we sought to save, Had almost need of such a rest. 350 360 XIV. It might be months, or years, or days, I kept no count-I took no note, I had no hope my eyes to raise, And clear them of their dreary mote; At last men came to set me free, I ask'd not why, and reck'd not where, It was at length the same to me, Fettered or fetterless to be, I learn'd to love despair. And thus when they appear'd at last, To tear me from a second home: With spiders I had friendship made, And watch'd them in their sullen trade, 370 380 Had seen the mice by moonlight play, And I, the monarch of each race, To make us what we are:-even I Regain'd my freedom with a sigh. 390 ROUSSEAU-Voltaire-our Gibbon-and de Staël 5 Leman! these names are worthy of thy shore, Thy shore of names like these, wert thou no more, Their memory thy remembrance would recall : To them thy banks were lovely as to all, But they have made them lovelier, for the lore Of mighty minds doth hallow in the core Of human hearts the ruin of a wall |