Stanzas

Stanzas

Perched on a rock, I proudly gaze

Upon the world below;

A broad champing before me lies.

Where streams like brooklets flow

The tree is dwindled to the shrub,

The palace to the shed;

Man to a speck--small as the grub

Crushed 'neath his thoughtless tread.

The eagle is my comrade here;

Our mantle is the cloud----

The wild wind whistles in our ear,

Its music sharp and loud.

The sun looks down with colder ray,

The host frost lies around,

Our rock, with age and tempests gray,

By scarce a shrub is crowned.

Alone! alone! yon bird and I,

Our lofty nest do share

No meaner wing may soar so high,

In fields of upper air----

And man will seldom dare the steep

Where wild goat never stays;

Round which the raging whirlwinds sweep.

The death winged lightning plays.

Oh! that his royal winds were mine!

I'd have the bird his throne,

And cleave the air to loftier shrine,

That mighty be all mine own.

I would not brook a rival near

My chosen place of rest--

Compelled to feel a jealous fear,

Lest be o'ertop my nest.

Vain wish! at risk of life I gained

This cloud king's airy home;

Yet pride elate at height attained

Pants higher yet to roam.

Tis ever thus! though blessed with all

That makes a heaven of earth,

The spirit still, in conscious thrall,

Sighs for immortal birth

A.A.

3:16, p. 4

1839.06.15