THE MOUNTAIX JOURNEY 327
And, gazing through the cloudy reek, Behold the mountain's topmost peak.
'Tis reached, and the pleased eye explores What glorious, soul-enchanting scene !
Far, far below the tempest roars,
Above the blue heavens smile serene ;
Whilst snow-white blossoms round thee blow
Thine eyes had never seen below.
Around thy feet thou seest no trace
Of the green land thou late didst leave.
All new ! The very insect race ^^ Are strangers to the vales beneath,
And the fair flowers that round thee grow
Have left their friends in lands of snow.
Here, as the clouds beneath thy feet ^7
Their dark folds open now and then, Thou seest the driving rain-storm beat
Upon the lower world of men. Whilst thou, enthroned in heaven's high arch, Behold'st unmoved the tempest's march.
O say, if afterward this thought
Ne'er struck thee amongst wrangling crowds } So virtue's path with storms is fraught,
The way to truth is veiled in clouds. And he who would their glories view Must strain his strength, and struggle through.
Weary and faint, without a friend,
And guideless, must he travel still, The journey rugged to its end.
But beauteous flowers crown all the hill ;
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