Part 100 (1/2)

Onward, stranger!

WANDERER.

Over an inscription am I treading!

'Tis effaced!

Ye are seen no longer, Words so deeply graven, Who your master's true devotion Should have shown to thousand grandsons!

WOMAN.

At these stones, why Start'st thou, stranger?

Many stones are lying yonder Round my cottage.

WANDERER.

Yonder?

WOMAN.

Through the thicket, Turning to the left, Here!

WANDERER.

Ye Muses and ye Graces!

WOMAN.

This, then, is my cottage.

WANDERER.

'Tis a ruin'd temple! *

WOMAN.

Just below it, see, Springs the fountain Whence I drink.

WANDERER.

Thou dost hover O'er thy grave, all glowing, Genius! while upon thee Hath thy master-piece Fallen crumbling, Thou Immortal One!

WOMAN.

Stay, a cup I'll fetch thee Whence to drink.

WANDERER.

Ivy circles thy slender Form so graceful and G.o.dlike.

How ye rise on high From the ruins, Column-pair And thou, their lonely sister yonder,-- How thou, Dusky moss upon thy sacred head,-- Lookest down in mournful majesty On thy brethren's figures Lying scatter'd At thy feet!

In the shadow of the bramble Earth and rubbish veil them, Lofty gra.s.s is waving o'er them Is it thus thou, Nature, prizest Thy great masterpiece's masterpiece?

Carelessly destroyest thou Thine own sanctuary, Sowing thistles there?

WOMAN.

How the infant sleeps!