Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thebes.
And as around , in rapturous trance , He casts , inspired , his eager glance , In Fancy ' s dream , where ' er he strays , He sees the forms of other days , And frames , in pensive thought reclin'd , The visions of his wayward mind .
Again in all its former might The city bursts upon his sight ; Embattled towers the scene supplies , And adamantine pillars rise ; While , from each wreck of fanes o'erthrown , Each crumbling mass of shapeless stone , Fond thought restores in all their pride
The temples of the deified : On every hill , in freshest hues , Some god ' s majestic pile he vieivs ; And seems in every sound again To hear the statue ' s vocal strain . And lo ! releas'd from Stygian gloom , Bursting the cerements of the tomb
, Again to realms of light ancl air The chiefs , renowned of old , repair , From dark oblivion rise again , To triumph on their native plain . Around the hundred gates , that seem E ' en now restor'd in magic dream ,
Warriors in glittering arms advance , And wield in fight the beamy lance . Call it not vain ! what selfish heart With siveet illusions loves to part , That spring at Memory ' s apt command 'Mid wrecks of age in classic land ? Who , first of Cities ! Queen of States !
Unmov'd hath pass'd thy sacred gates , Or fail'd to rest , with tarrying feet , In ancient Learning ' s honour'd seat ? In vain the Persian ' s vengeful horde Hath far and wide destruction pour'd ; Still hath the victor led in vain Through desert halls his lawless train ,
And ( Pity ' s ruling poiver unknown ) Statues and shrines of gods o ' erthrown : For ch!—if Memory , heavenly guest , Retains her sway over mortal breast , If e ' er the Poet ' s generous lay Surviv'd his native land's decay—Still in the Muse ' s hallow'd strain
Shall Thebes through future ages reign ; And Time with sparing touch revere The relics of her past career . And oft the wanderer on her coast , Who sees the pomp her sires could boast , With reverent feelings shall explore Celestial Wisdom ' s ancient lore :
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thebes.
And as around , in rapturous trance , He casts , inspired , his eager glance , In Fancy ' s dream , where ' er he strays , He sees the forms of other days , And frames , in pensive thought reclin'd , The visions of his wayward mind .
Again in all its former might The city bursts upon his sight ; Embattled towers the scene supplies , And adamantine pillars rise ; While , from each wreck of fanes o'erthrown , Each crumbling mass of shapeless stone , Fond thought restores in all their pride
The temples of the deified : On every hill , in freshest hues , Some god ' s majestic pile he vieivs ; And seems in every sound again To hear the statue ' s vocal strain . And lo ! releas'd from Stygian gloom , Bursting the cerements of the tomb
, Again to realms of light ancl air The chiefs , renowned of old , repair , From dark oblivion rise again , To triumph on their native plain . Around the hundred gates , that seem E ' en now restor'd in magic dream ,
Warriors in glittering arms advance , And wield in fight the beamy lance . Call it not vain ! what selfish heart With siveet illusions loves to part , That spring at Memory ' s apt command 'Mid wrecks of age in classic land ? Who , first of Cities ! Queen of States !
Unmov'd hath pass'd thy sacred gates , Or fail'd to rest , with tarrying feet , In ancient Learning ' s honour'd seat ? In vain the Persian ' s vengeful horde Hath far and wide destruction pour'd ; Still hath the victor led in vain Through desert halls his lawless train ,
And ( Pity ' s ruling poiver unknown ) Statues and shrines of gods o ' erthrown : For ch!—if Memory , heavenly guest , Retains her sway over mortal breast , If e ' er the Poet ' s generous lay Surviv'd his native land's decay—Still in the Muse ' s hallow'd strain
Shall Thebes through future ages reign ; And Time with sparing touch revere The relics of her past career . And oft the wanderer on her coast , Who sees the pomp her sires could boast , With reverent feelings shall explore Celestial Wisdom ' s ancient lore :