Victorious banner, that their sovereign's eye From his serene pavilion may behold No lingering shadow from the gloomy host Of hateful Darkness, who hast westward borne His routed army and his fading flag? Alas! proud Science, Fancy's sneering foe, Says they are but the Sun's refracted rays, And scintillations from his burning wheels. EARTH'S bride-groom rises. Round his glittering head He shakes his streamy locks, and fast and far Sheds showers of splendor; and his blushing bride, Recumbent on her grassy couch, scarce opes Her bashful eyes to meet his ardent gaze. While at the advent of her lord, the Earth, Marking his shining footsteps, with a smile Remembers the espousals of her youth, When morning stars rang out the nuptial song[4] In jubilant chorus; on her milky breast, All the green nurslings of his favor raise Their dewy heads, and welcome his approach With thankful greetings; and each gentle flower Turns her fair face to the munificent god Of her idolatry, and well repays His warm caresses with her perfumed breath. [4] 'When the morning stars sang together,' etc. JOB: XXXVIII., 7. In the same chapter observe the astonishing boldness of scripture personification, and the unequalled pomp of oriental imagery. But while inanimate nature takes the shows Of life, and joy, and deep and passionate sense, The animal kingdom sleeps not; all its tribes Swell the glad anthem. Birds, that all night long Slept and dreamed sweetly 'neath their folded wings, At nature's summons are awakening now; Nor unmelodiously; for from their throats, In many a warbling trill, or mingled gush, Comes music of such sweet and innocent strength, As might force tears from the black murderer's eyes, And make the sighing captive, while he weeps His own hard wrongs, lift his chained hands, and pray For his oppressor more than for himself.