X

THE SOURCE OF THE DANUBE

1820 1822

NOT, like his great Compeers, indignantly

Doth DANUBE spring to life! 15 The wandering Stream (Who loves the Cross, yet to the Crescent's gleam Unfolds a willing breast) with infant glee

Slips from his prison walls: and Fancy, free
To follow in his track of silver light,

Mounts on rapt wing, and with a moment's flight
Hath reached the encincture of that gloomy sea
Whose waves the Orphean lyre forbade to meet
In conflict; whose rough winds forgot their jars
To waft the heroic progeny of Greece;

When the first Ship sailed for the Golden Fleece ARGO exalted for that daring feat

To fix in heaven her shape distinct with stars.

XI

ON APPROACHING THE STAUBBACH, LAUTERBRUNNEN 16

1820 1822

UTTERED by whom, or how inspired — designed
For what strange service, does this concert reach
Our ears, and near the dwellings of mankind!
'Mid fields familiarized to human speech? -
No Mermaid's warble- to allay the wind
Driving some vessel toward a dangerous beach —
More thrilling melodies; Witch answering Witch,
To chant a love-spell, never intertwined
Notes shrill and wild with art more musical:
Alas! that from the lips of abject Want

Or Idleness in tatters mendicant

The strain should flow-free Fancy to enthral,

And with regret and useless pity haunt

This bold, this bright, this sky-born, WATERFALL!

XII

THE FALL OF THE AAR, HANDEC

1820 1822

FROM the fierce aspect of this River, throwing
His giant body o'er the steep rock's brink,
Back in astonishment and fear we shrink:
But, gradually a calmer look bestowing,
Flowers we espy beside the torrent growing;
Flowers that peep forth from many a cleft and
.chink,

And, from the whirlwind of his anger, drink Hues ever fresh, in rocky fortress blowing: from breath that, threatening to

They suck

destroy,

Is more benignant than the dewy eve

Beauty, and life, and motions as of joy:

Nor doubt but HE to whom yon Pine-trees nod Their heads in sign of worship, Nature's God, These humbler adorations will receive.

XIII

MEMORIAL

NEAR THE OUTLET OF THE LAKE OF THUN

"DEM ANDENKEN

MEINES FREUNDES

ALOYS REDING

MDCCCXVIII."

1820 1822

Aloys Reding, it will be remembered, was Captain-General of the Swiss forces, which, with a courage and perseverance worthy of the cause, opposed the flagitious and too successful attempt of Buonaparte to subjugate their country.

AROUND a wild and woody hill

A gravelled pathway treading,

We reached a votive Stone that bears

The name of Aloys Reding.

Well judged the Friend who placed it there

For silence and protection;

And haply with a finer care

Of dutiful affection.

The Sun regards it from the West;

And, while in summer glory

He sets, his sinking yields a type
Of that pathetic story:

And oft he tempts the patriot Swiss Amid the grove to linger;

Till all is dim, save this bright Stone Touched by his golden finger.