AVision

avision

asistoodbyyonrooflesstower,

wherethewa'flowerscentsthedewyair,

wherethehowletmournsinherivybower,

andtellsthemidnightmoonhercare.

thewindswerelaid,theairwasstill,

thestarstheyshotalangthesky;

thefoxwashowlingonthehill,

andthedistantechoingglensreply.

thestream,adownitshazellypath,

wasrushingbytheruin'dwa's,

hastingtojointhesweepingnith,

whasedistantroaringswellsandfa's.

thecauldblaenorthwasstreamingforth

herlights,wi'hissing,eeriedin;

athwartthelifttheystartandshift,

likefortune'sfavors,tintaswin.

byheedlesschanceiturn'dmineeyes,

and,bythemoonbeam,shooktosee

asternandstalwartghaistarise,

attir'dasminstrelswonttobe.

hadiastatuebeeno'stane,

hisdaringlookhaddauntedme;

andonhisbonnetgrav'dwasplain,

thesacredposy—“libertie!”

andfraehisharpsicstrainsdidflow,

mightrous'dtheslumb'ringdeadtohear;

butoh,itwasataleofwoe,

asevermetabriton'sear!

hesangwi'joyhisformerday,

he,weeping,wailedhislattertimes;

butwhathesaid—itwasnaeplay,

iwinnaventure'tinmyrhymes.