Deep is the lamentation! Not alone From Sages justly honoured by mankind; But from the ghostly tenants of the wind, Demons and Spirits, many a dolorous groan Issues for that dominion overthrown: 5 Proud Tiber grieves, and far-off Ganges, blind As his own worshippers: and Nile, reclined Upon his monstrous urn, the farewell moan Renews.[181] Through every forest, cave, and den, Where frauds were hatched of old, hath sorrow past-- Hangs o'er the Arabian Prophet's native Waste,[182] 11 Where once his airy helpers[183] schemed and planned 'Mid spectral[184] lakes bemocking thirsty men,[185] And stalking pillars built of fiery sand.[186] FOOTNOTES: [181] Compare the echo of the Lady's voice in the lines _To Joanna_, in the "Poems on the Naming of Places" (vol. ii. p. 157).--ED. [182] The desert around Mecca.--ED. [183] Mahomet affirmed that he had constant visits from angels; and that the angel Gabriel dictated to him the Koran.--ED. [184] 1837. 'Mid phantom ... 1822. [185] The mirage.--ED. [186] Pillars of sand raised by whirlwinds in the desert, which correspond to waterspouts at sea.--ED. XXVIII REFLECTIONS Grant, that by this unsparing hurricane Green leaves with yellow mixed are torn away, And goodly fruitage with the mother spray; 'Twere madness--wished we, therefore, to detain, With hands stretched forth in[187] mollified disdain, 5 The "trumpery" that ascends in bare display-- Bulls, pardons, relics, cowls black, white, and grey--[188] Upwhirled, and flying o'er the ethereal plain Fast bound for Limbo Lake.[189] And yet not choice But habit rules the unreflecting herd, 10 And airy bonds are hardest to disown; Hence, with the spiritual sovereignty transferred Unto itself, the Crown assumes a voice Of reckless mastery, hitherto unknown. FOOTNOTES: [187] 1827. With farewell sighs of 1822. [188] See _Paradise Lost_, book iii. ll. 474, 475-- Eremites and Friars, White, black, and grey, with all their trumperie.--ED. [189] Hades.--ED. XXIX TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE But, to outweigh all harm, the sacred Book, In dusty sequestration wrapt too long, Assumes the accents of our native tongue; And he who guides the plough, or wields the crook, With understanding spirit now may look 5 Upon her records, listen to her song, And sift her laws--much wondering that the wrong, Which Faith has suffered, Heaven could calmly brook Transcendent Boon! noblest that earthly King Ever bestowed to equalize and bless 10 Under the weight of mortal wretchedness! But passions spread like plagues, and thousands wild With bigotry shall tread the Offering Beneath their feet, detested and defiled.[190]