[129] {102}This iris is formed by the rays of the sun over the lower part of the Alpine torrents; it is exactly like a rainbow come down to pay a visit, and so close that you may walk into it: this effect lasts till noon. ["Before ascending the mountain, went to the torrent (7 in the morning) again; the Sun upon it forming a _rainbow_ of the lower part of all colours, but principally purple and gold; the bow moving as you move; I never saw anything like this; it is only in the Sunshine" (_Letters_, 1899, iii, 359).] [130] ["Arrived at the foot of the Mountain (the Yung frau, i.e. the Maiden); Glaciers; torrents; one of these torrents _nine hundred feet_ in height of visible descent ... heard an Avalanche fall, like thunder; saw Glacier--enormous. Storm came on, thunder, lightning, hail; all in perfection, and beautiful.... The torrent is in shape curving over the rock, like the _tail_ of a white horse streaming in the wind, such as it might be conceived would be that of the '_pale_ horse' on which _Death_ is mounted in the Apocalypse. It is neither mist nor water, but a something between both; it's immense height ... gives it a wave, a curve, a spreading here, a condensation there, wonderful and indescribable" (ibid., pp. 357, 358).] [ay] {103}_Wherein seems glassed_----.--[MS. of extract, February 15, 1817.] [131] {104}[Compare _Childe Harold_, Canto III. stanza lxxii. lines 2, 3, note 2.] [132] [Compare _Childe Harold_, Canto IV. stanza clxxxiv. line 3, note 2.] [133] [Compare-- "The moving moon went up the sky." _The Ancient Mariner_, Part IV. line 263. Compare, too-- "The climbing moon." Act iii. sc. 3, line 40.] [134] {105}[Compare _Childe Harold_, Canto II. stanzas v.-xi.]