"The lively Grecian, in a land of hills, Rivers and fertile plains, and sounding shores,--[FG] Under a cope of sky more variable,[363] 720 Could find commodious place for every God, Promptly received, as prodigally brought, From the surrounding countries, at the choice Of all adventurers. With unrivalled skill, As nicest observation furnished hints 725 For studious fancy, his quick hand bestowed[364] On fluent operations a fixed shape; Metal or stone, idolatrously served. And yet--triumphant o'er this pompous show Of art, this palpable array of sense, 730 On every side encountered; in despite Of the gross fictions chanted in the streets By wandering Rhapsodists;[FH] and in contempt Of doubt and bold denial[365] hourly urged Amid the wrangling schools--a SPIRIT hung, 735 Beautiful region! o'er thy towns and farms, Statues and temples, and memorial tombs; And emanations were perceived; and acts Of immortality, in Nature's course, Exemplified by mysteries, that were felt 740 As bonds, on grave philosopher imposed And armed warrior; and in every grove A gay or pensive tenderness prevailed, When piety more awful had relaxed. 744 --'Take, running river, take these locks of mine'-- Thus would the Votary say--'this severed hair, 'My vow fulfilling, do I here present, 'Thankful for my beloved child's return. 'Thy banks, Cephisus, he again hath trod,[FI] 749 'Thy murmurs heard; and drunk the crystal lymph 'With which thou dost refresh the thirsty lip, 'And, all day long, moisten[366] these flowery fields!' And, doubtless, sometimes, when the hair was shed Upon the flowing stream, a thought arose Of Life continuous, Being unimpaired; 755 That hath been, is, and where it was and is There shall endure,--existence unexposed[367] To the blind walk of mortal accident; From diminution safe and weakening age; While man grows old, and dwindles, and decays; 760 And countless generations of mankind Depart; and leave no vestige where they trod.