Classic Poem

(Probably written in the Isle of Wight.)

Visions of vastness and of beauty! long
Too long have I neglected ye: content
Nor to have sooth'd my soul to rest among
Your evening lullaby of breeze and wave,
While the low sun retiring glow'd from far
Like pillar'd gold upon a marble plain;
Nor yet wild waked from that deceitful sleep,
When the storm waved his giant scourge, and rode
Upon the rising billow, have I sate
Listening with fearful joy, and pulse that throbbed
In unison with every bursting wave.
Yet the strong passion slept within my soul
Like an unwaken'd sense: e'en as the blind
Mingles in one dear dream all softest sounds,
All smoothest surfaces, and calls it Light.
Such lovely, formless visions late were mine,
Dear to remembrance yet: but far more dear
The present glories of this world of waves.
So through a glass seen darkly, mortals deem
Of things eternal: but even now is the hour
When gales from heaven shall blow, and the true Sun,
Rising in glory o'er the unknown expanse,
Shall pour at once upon the unbodied soul
Floods of such blessedness, as mortal sense
Might not endure, nor spirit pent in flesh
Imagine dimly. Be my race so run,
In holy faith, and righteous diligence,
That purged from earthly film and fear my soul
May catch her first glimpse of Eternity,
Mists gradual roll away, and the calm waves
Still smile and brighten as I draw more near.