And love in them, entire affection, dwells;

While zeal benevolent, that ne'er will sleep,

Their energy of intercourse impels:

Though vast their wisdom is, their virtue that excels.

IV.

Fast interchange of virtues, knowledge, powers,

(For by communion only joys increase)

Is theirs; idlesse our energies devours,

Their rapid interactions never cease;

That, which we toil to grasp, they win with ease. And, as at rest a quick-revolving wheel

Appears when lit by flash of lightning, these Bright beings of repose the strength reveal,

As with excess of ardour burns their vivid zeal.

V.

The stream rolls on o'er rubies, sapphires, stones

Of wond'rous virtue, of which e'en the least

Had been the richest gems of orient thrones,

Or goblets at the proud Belshazzar's feast,

Collective wealth of the exhaustless East:

Then darkling, on it flows, through forest-shades

That harbour the plumed gryphon, mystic beast;

That world of verdure no rude thing invades,

But nature's loveliest works are seen in all their grades.

VI.

A thousand thousand milk-white unicorns

There rove, fair types of virtue join'd to grace

And independent strength; of gold their horns

Shine through the glades, as comets flame through

space,

And golden-hoof'd they are, this glorious race.

Through forest-depths, sportive as virgins full

Of life and joy, gazelles each other chase;

Their beautiful movements to behold, e'en dull

Spirits would happy be, and garlands for them cull.

VII.

These emblem innocence that fears not ill,

And gaiety, from trust in Heaven that springs: But there are other creatures fairer still,

Now here, now there, careering; beauteous things,

With eyes like living sapphires in their wings;

Such to the Sage of Patmos in his dream

Sublime appear'd before the "King of kings;"

Types of angelic natures that supreme

Are, for the sun of suns on them pours forth his beam.

VIII.

Ever-green trees I saw with fruit of gold,

For ages have they lived, yet undecay'd
And undecaying, ever young though old:
Unlike the upas-tree, beneath whose shade
Pernicious all that blooms must quickly fade,

H

And sicken living things, they vigour give

Unwonted to the wights that seek the aid

Of their life-giving branches, all to live,

Not as here dreamy man to vegetate, revive.

IX.

These signify the mighty power of faith

That renovates the mind by sin unstrung: Omnipotent to save, the Gospel saith,

Is faith; the golden fruit, on branches hung, Typify virtues that from faith have sprung. Far, far above the forest's verdurous mass,

Resembling that of which great Dante sung,

Eagles, as many-colour'd globes of glass

Glitter in sunlight, brighten, stellar lights surpass.

X.

Emblems of highest wisdom, that perceives

All the relations of all worlds, the chain

Of causes and effects that nature weaves,

All truths that unevolved in one remain,
Like future harvests in a single grain,

These eagles are :—in depths yet deep'ning lies,
More wonderful than aught Romance can feign,
A vast succession of realities:

A miracle is earth-with wonders teem the skies!