Page:Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge).djvu/315

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293

And shapeless feelings. For a mighty hand
Was strong upon her, till in the heat of soul
To the high hill-top tracing back her steps,
Aside the beacon, up whose smoulder'd stones
The tender ivy-trails crept thinly, there,
Unconscious of the driving element,
Yea, swallow'd up in the ominous dream, she sate,
Ghastly as broad-eyed Slumber! a dim anguish
Breath'd from her look! and still with pant and sob
Inly she toil'd to flee, and still subdued
Felt an inevitable Presence near.

Thus as she toil'd in troublous extacy,
An horror of great darkness wrapt her round,
And a voice uttered forth unearthly tones,
Calming her soul,—"O Thou of the Most High
Chosen, whom all the perfected in Heaven
Behold expectant———

[The following fragments were intended
to form part of the Poem when finished.]


"Maid belov'd of Heaven!
(To her the tutelary Power exclaimed)
Of Chaos the adventurous progeny