To orisons, the midnight bell Had toll’d each silent inmate from his cell; The hour was come to muse or pray, Or work mysterious rites that shun the day: My steps some whis’pring influence led, Up to yon pine-clad mountain’s gloomy head: Hollow and deep the gust did blow, And torrents dash’d into the vales below. At length the toilsome height attain’d, Quick fled the moon, and sudden stillness reign’d. As fearful turn’d my searching eye, Glanc’d near a shadowy form, and fleeted by; Anon, before me full it stood: A saintly figure, pale, in pensive mood. Damp horror thrill’d me till he spoke, And accents faint the charm bound silence broke: “Long, trav’ller! ere this region near, Say, did not whisp’rings strange arrest thine ear? My summons ’twas to bid thee come, Where sole the friend of Nature loves to roam. Ages long past, this drear abode To solitude I sanctified, and God: ’Twas here, by love of Wisdom brought, Her truest lore, Self-knowledge, first I sought; Devoted here my worldly wealth, To win my chosen sons immortal health. Midst these dun woods, and mountains steep, Midst the wild horrors of yon desert deep, Midst yawning caverns, wat’ry dells, Midst long, sequestered aisles, and peaceful cells, No passions fell distract the mind, To Nature, Silence, and Herself consign’d. In these still mansions who shall bide, ’Tis mine, with Heaven’s appointment, to decide; But, hither, I invite not all: Some want the will to come, and more the call; But all, mark well my parting voice! Led, or by chance, necessity, or choice (Ah! with our Genius dread to sport), Sage lessons here may learn of high import. Know! Silence is the nurse of Truth; Know! Temperance long retards the flight of Youth Learn here, how penitence and pray’r Man’s fallen race for happier worlds prepare; Learn mild demeanour, void of art, And bear, amidst the world, the hermit’s heart; Fix, trav’ller! deep this heaven-taught lore: Know Bruno brings it, and returns no more.” (Half sighed, half smiled his long farewell), He turn’d, and vanish’d in the bright’ning dell. My imagination was too much disturbed, and my spirits far too active, to allow me any rest for some time, and I had not long been quieted by sleep, when I was suddenly awakened by a furious blast, that drove open my casement, and let in the roar of the tempest, for the night was troubled. In the intervals of the storm, in those moments when the winds seemed to pause, the faint sounds of the choir stole upon my ear; but were swallowed up the next instant by the redoubled fury of the gust, which was still increased by the roar of the waters.