Classic Poem

Majestuous and sapphirine, it rears
its lonely bulk towards the high serene,
disdainful of the soft and verdant bed,
gazing on the Atlantic at its feet.

A royal diadem of spotless white
encircles glittering its frosty brow;
and over cheeks and throat the impetuous beard
scatters a tumultuous covering.

In the warm season it lies overspread
with a great sullen stooping cloud, until
the bleak face darkens with a great amaze;

panting, it huddles on its cloak of mist,
louder and louder growls its growing rage,
hurls stone and scree, shudders and fulminates.