Classic Poem

I

ETNA

B IRD-WAKENED out of sleep my darkling eyes
Saw Etna bloom and whiten in the dawn,
While over hollow leagues of crag and lawn
Brightened earth's edge upon the far-set skies;
Now, volleying light, the lucid mountain lies
Transfigured, in the breath of gold updrawn,
Dim base to rosy plume; and high the wan
Worn moon turns snow, and worships as it dies.

Then o'er the shoulder of that mount in heaven
Rose like a moon divine, celestial seen,
The Star to which all glory hath been given,
The orb of life whence all things here have been.
The nightingales sang on; — and I shall see
No sight so mighty in tranquillity.