PARNASSUS
155
On those two known peaks they stand ever spreading and heightening;
Poet, that evergreen laurel is blasted by more than lightning!
Look, in their deep double shadow the crown’d ones all disappearing!
Sing like a bird and be happy, nor hope for a deathless hearing!
‘Sounding for ever and ever?’ pass on! the sight confuses—
These are Astronomy and Geology, terrible Muses!
Poet, that evergreen laurel is blasted by more than lightning!
Look, in their deep double shadow the crown’d ones all disappearing!
Sing like a bird and be happy, nor hope for a deathless hearing!
‘Sounding for ever and ever?’ pass on! the sight confuses—
These are Astronomy and Geology, terrible Muses!
iii.
If the lips were touch’d with fire from off a pure Pierian altar,
If the lips were touch’d with fire from off a pure Pierian altar,
