The dark and fathomless abyss of night?

Oh, drop the pencil!—Angels cannot gaze

On Him who sits upon the jasper throne,

Robed in the splendour of immortal light;

But cast their crowns before him whilst they veil

The brow in rapt devotion and adore!—

Nature will furnish subjects far beyond

The grasp of human genius. Didst thou e'er,

On mossy bank or grassy plot reclined,

Watch the effect of sunlight on the boughs

Of some tall graceful ash, or maple tree?

Each leaf illumin'd by the noon-tide beam

Transparent shines.—Anon a heavy cloud

Floats for a moment o'er the car of day,

And gloom descends upon the forest bowers;

A ray steals forth—and on the topmost twig

[Pg 10]

Falls, like a silver star. From leaf to leaf

The glory spreads, shoots down the rugged trunk

And gilds each spray, till the whole tree stands forth

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