Such are the various aspects of the mind-- Some heavenly genius, whose unclouded thoughts Attain that secret harmony which blends 280 The etherial spirit with its mould of clay, Oh! teach me to reveal the grateful charm That searchless Nature o'er the sense of man Diffuses, to behold, in lifeless things, The inexpressive semblance [Endnote HH] of himself, Of thought and passion. Mark the sable woods That shade sublime yon mountain's nodding brow: With what religious awe the solemn scene Commands your steps! as if the reverend form Of Minos or of Numa should forsake 290 The Elysian seats, and down the embowering glade Move to your pausing eye! Behold the expanse Of yon gay landscape, where the silver clouds Flit o'er the heavens before the sprightly breeze: Now their gray cincture skirts the doubtful sun; Now streams of splendour, through their opening veil Effulgent, sweep from off the gilded lawn The aerial shadows, on the curling brook, And on the shady margin's quivering leaves With quickest lustre glancing; while you view 300 The prospect, say, within your cheerful breast Plays not the lively sense of winning mirth With clouds and sunshine chequer'd, while the round Of social converse, to the inspiring tongue Of some gay nymph amid her subject train, Moves all obsequious? Whence is this effect, This kindred power of such discordant things? Or flows their semblance from that mystic tone To which the new-born mind's harmonious powers At first were strung? Or rather from the links 310 Which artful custom twines around her frame?