The Hebrews thus, carrying in joyful state 10 Thick boughs of palm, and willows from the brook,[IT] Marched round the altar--to commemorate How, when their course they through the desert took, Guided by signs which ne'er the sky forsook, They lodged in leafy tents and cabins low; 15 Green boughs were borne, while, for the blast that shook Down to the earth the walls of Jericho, Shouts rise, and storms of sound from lifted trumpets blow![549] And thus, in order, 'mid the sacred grove Fed in the Libyan waste by gushing wells, 20 The priests and damsels of Ammonian Jove Provoked responses with shrill canticles;[IU] While, in a ship begirt with silver bells, They round his altar bore the hornèd God, Old Cham, the solar Deity,[IV] who dwells 25 Aloft, yet in a tilting vessel rode,[IW] When universal sea the mountains overflowed. Why speak of Roman Pomps?[IX] the haughty claims Of Chiefs triumphant after ruthless wars; The feast of Neptune[IY]--and the Cereal Games,[IZ] 30 With images, and crowns, and empty cars; The dancing Salii--on the shields of Mars Smiting with fury;[JA] and a[551] deeper dread Scattered on all sides[JB] by the hideous jars Of Corybantian cymbals, while the head 35 Of Cybelè was seen, sublimely turreted![JC] At length a Spirit more subdued and soft Appeared--to govern Christian pageantries: The Cross, in calm procession, borne aloft Moved to the chant of sober litanies. 40 Even such, this day, came wafted on the breeze From a long train--in hooded vestments fair Enwrapt--and winding, between Alpine trees Spiry and dark, around their House of prayer, Below the icy bed of bright ARGENTIERE. 45 Still in the vivid freshness of a dream, The pageant haunts me as it met our eyes! Still, with those white-robed Shapes--a living Stream, The glacier Pillars join in solemn guise[552] For the same service, by mysterious ties; 50 Numbers exceeding credible account Of number, pure and silent Votaries Issuing or issued[553] from a wintry fount; The impenetrable heart of that exalted Mount! They, too, who send[554] so far a holy gleam 55 While they the Church engird[555] with motion slow, A product of that awful Mountain seem,[556] Poured from his vaults of everlasting snow; Not virgin lilies marshalled in bright row, Not swans descending with the stealthy tide, 60 A livelier sisterly resemblance show Than the fair Forms, that in long order glide, Bear to the glacier band--those[557] Shapes aloft descried.