In never-slackening voyage go Straight as an arrow from the bow; 80 And, slighting sails and scorning oars, Keep faith with Time on distant shores? --Within[420] our fearless reach are placed The secrets of the burning Waste; Egyptian tombs unlock their dead, 85 Nile trembles at his fountain head; Thou speak'st--and lo! the polar Seas Unbosom their last mysteries. --But oh! what transports, what sublime reward, Won from the world of mind, dost thou prepare 90 For philosophic Sage; or high-souled Bard Who, for thy service trained in lonely woods, Hath fed on pageants floating through the air, Or calentured in depth of limpid floods; 94 Nor grieves--tho' doomed thro' silent night to bear The domination of his glorious themes, Or struggle in the net-work of thy dreams! III If there be movements in the Patriot's soul, From source still deeper, and of higher worth, 'Tis thine the quickening impulse to control, 100 And in due season send the mandate forth; Thy call a prostrate[421] Nation can restore, When but a single Mind resolves to crouch no more.[422] IV Dread Minister of wrath! Who to their destined punishment dost urge 105 The Pharaohs of the earth, the men of hardened heart! Not unassisted by the flattering stars, Thou strew'st temptation o'er the path When they in pomp depart With trampling horses and refulgent cars-- 110 Soon to be swallowed by the briny surge; Or cast, for lingering death, on unknown strands; Or caught amid a whirl[423] of desert sands-- An Army now, and now a living hill 114 That a brief while heaves with convulsive throes-- Then all is still;[424][EO] Or, to forget their madness and their woes, Wrapt in a winding-sheet of spotless snows! V Back flows the willing current of my Song: If to provoke such doom the Impious dare, 120 Why should it daunt a blameless prayer? --Bold Goddess! range our Youth among; Nor let thy genuine impulse fail to beat In hearts no longer young; Still may a veteran Few have pride 125 In thoughts whose sternness makes them sweet; In fixed resolves by Reason justified; That to their object cleave like sleet Whitening a pine tree's northern side, When fields are naked far and wide, 130 And withered leaves, from earth's cold breast Up-caught in whirlwinds, nowhere can find rest.[425] VI