‘From that abstraction I was roused—and how? Even as a thoughtful shepherd by a flash Of lightning, startled in a gloomy cave Of these wild hills. For, lo! the dread Bastile, With all the chambers in its horrid towers, Fell to the ground: by violence o’erthrown Of indignation; and with shouts that drowned The crash it made in falling! From the wreck A golden palace rose, or seemed to rise, The appointed seat of equitable law And mild paternal sway. The potent shock I felt; the transformation I perceived, As marvellously seized as in that moment, When, from the blind mist issuing, I beheld Glory—beyond all glory ever seen, Dazzling the soul! Meanwhile prophetic harps In every grove were ringing, “War shall cease: Did ye not hear that conquest is abjured? Bring garlands, bring forth choicest flowers, to deck The tree of liberty!”—My heart rebounded: My melancholy voice the chorus joined. Thus was I reconverted to the world; Society became my glittering bride, And airy hopes my children. From the depths Of natural passion seemingly escaped, My soul diffused itself in wide embrace Of institutions and the forms of things. ——If with noise And acclamation, crowds in open air Expressed the tumult of their minds, my voice There mingled, heard or not. And in still groves, Where wild enthusiasts tuned a pensive lay Of thanks and expectation, in accord With their belief, I sang Saturnian rule Returned—a progeny of golden years Permitted to descend, and bless mankind. . . . . . Scorn and contempt forbid me to proceed! But history, time’s slavish scribe, will tell How rapidly the zealots of the cause Disbanded—or in hostile ranks appeared: Some, tired of honest service; these outdone, Disgusted, therefore, or appalled by aims Of fiercer zealots. So confusion reigned, And the more faithful were compelled to exclaim, As Brutus did to virtue, “Liberty, I worshipped thee, and find thee but a shade!” SUCH RECANTATION HAD FOR ME NO CHARM, NOR WOULD I BEND TO IT.’ The subject is afterwards resumed, with the same magnanimity and philosophical firmness: