Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thebes.
Still with deep thirst for Science fired , By fearless Enterprise inspired ; Far from Italia ' s jieaceful vales , Or Albion ' s cliffs , the traveller sails , To search in Thebes , with anxious aim . The records of departed fame . Undaunted through surrounding gloom ,
His daring footsteps pierce the tomb , Where mighty kings , in solemn rows , Have slumbered long iu death ' s repose , Girt with the pomp , by age defiled , That vainly o ' er their dust was piled . Oh 1 why , to deck the grave alone . Should toil and care like these be shown ?
E ' en here shall Time ' s effacing hand Destroy the fabrics man hath planned , And Heaven in dark decay shall hide The monuments of human pride . No more , as Morning ' s orient light Slowly dispels the shades of night , Harmonious sounds Aurora hears ,
( Like music of celestial spheres , ) That long in earlier years were known To breathe from yon colossal stone , When Memnon bade the day-star hail ,
( Such is Tradition ' s wondrous tale , ) Saluting , with melodious praise , Yon glorious orb ' s returning rays . No more , replete with varied bloom , The sloping gardens yield perfume : But still within the deep recess Of craggy mountain wilderness ,
With the fierce partners of his toil The ruthless bandit shares the spoil . When the lone traveller on his way Hath sunk to lawless might the prey , Or Rapine to her den transferred The feeble Shepherd ' s choicest herd . Still tameless beasts the plain invade ,
Or watchful lurk within the shade ; Still to the sun ' s prolific rays The crocodile her eggs displays , Leaving what parent aid demands , To sultry beams and barren sands . Yet here , uiifetter'd with dismay , The stranger ' s lingering steps delay ;
While , ' mid the lotos-leaves o ' crsprcad Above the river ' s glassy bed , At morning ' s dawn , or evening ' s close , Softly the murmuring zephyr blows ; Or groves of palm from noonday heat Invite him to their cool retreat . The traveller here , with curious eyes , Each trace of ancient fame descries :
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thebes.
Still with deep thirst for Science fired , By fearless Enterprise inspired ; Far from Italia ' s jieaceful vales , Or Albion ' s cliffs , the traveller sails , To search in Thebes , with anxious aim . The records of departed fame . Undaunted through surrounding gloom ,
His daring footsteps pierce the tomb , Where mighty kings , in solemn rows , Have slumbered long iu death ' s repose , Girt with the pomp , by age defiled , That vainly o ' er their dust was piled . Oh 1 why , to deck the grave alone . Should toil and care like these be shown ?
E ' en here shall Time ' s effacing hand Destroy the fabrics man hath planned , And Heaven in dark decay shall hide The monuments of human pride . No more , as Morning ' s orient light Slowly dispels the shades of night , Harmonious sounds Aurora hears ,
( Like music of celestial spheres , ) That long in earlier years were known To breathe from yon colossal stone , When Memnon bade the day-star hail ,
( Such is Tradition ' s wondrous tale , ) Saluting , with melodious praise , Yon glorious orb ' s returning rays . No more , replete with varied bloom , The sloping gardens yield perfume : But still within the deep recess Of craggy mountain wilderness ,
With the fierce partners of his toil The ruthless bandit shares the spoil . When the lone traveller on his way Hath sunk to lawless might the prey , Or Rapine to her den transferred The feeble Shepherd ' s choicest herd . Still tameless beasts the plain invade ,
Or watchful lurk within the shade ; Still to the sun ' s prolific rays The crocodile her eggs displays , Leaving what parent aid demands , To sultry beams and barren sands . Yet here , uiifetter'd with dismay , The stranger ' s lingering steps delay ;
While , ' mid the lotos-leaves o ' crsprcad Above the river ' s glassy bed , At morning ' s dawn , or evening ' s close , Softly the murmuring zephyr blows ; Or groves of palm from noonday heat Invite him to their cool retreat . The traveller here , with curious eyes , Each trace of ancient fame descries :