Beneath the concave of an April sky, When all the fields with freshest green were dight, Appeared, in presence of the[221] spiritual eye That aids or supersedes our grosser sight, The form and rich habiliments of One 5 Whose countenance bore resemblance to the sun, When it reveals, in evening majesty, Features half lost amid their own pure light. Poised like a weary cloud, in middle air[222] He hung,--then floated with angelic ease 10 (Softening that bright effulgence by degrees) Till he had reached a summit sharp and bare,[223] Where oft the venturous heifer drinks the noontide[224] breeze. Upon the apex of that lofty cone Alighted, there the Stranger stood alone; 15 Fair as a gorgeous Fabric of the east Suddenly raised by some enchanter's power, Where nothing was; and firm as some old Tower Of Britain's realm, whose leafy crest Waves high, embellished by a gleaming shower! 20 II Beneath the shadow of his purple wings Rested a golden harp;--he touched the strings; And, after prelude of unearthly sound Poured through the echoing hills around, He sang-- "No wintry desolations, 25 Scorching blight or noxious dew, Affect my native habitations; Buried in glory, far beyond the scope Of man's inquiring gaze, but to his hope Imaged, though faintly, in the hue[225] 30 Profound of night's ethereal blue; And in the aspect of each radiant orb:-- Some fixed, some wandering with no timid curb: But wandering star[226] and fixed, to mortal eye, Blended in absolute serenity, 35 And free from semblance of decline;-- Fresh as if Evening brought their natal hour, Her darkness splendour gave, her silence power, To testify of Love and Grace divine.[227] III[CK]