PART II.

READINGS.

SECTION I.

I.

1. ADDRESS TO BEAUTY.

PIRIT! who over this our mortal earth,
Where naught hath birth

1

Which imperfection doth not some way dim

Since earth offended Him

Thou who unseen, from out thy rādiänt2 wings

Dost' shower down light o'er mean and common things;

And, wandering to and fro,

Through the condemned and sinful world dost go,

Haunting that wilderness, the human heart,

With gleams of glory that too soon depart,

Gilding both weed and flower

What is thy birth divine? and whence thy mighty power?

2. The sculptor owns thee! On his high, pale brow Bewildering images are pressing now;

Groups whose immortal grace

His chisel ne'er shall trace,

Though in his mind the fresh creation glows;

High forms of godlike strength,

6

Or limbs whose languid " length

The marble fixes in a sweet repose!

At thy command, his true and patient hand

1 Doth (dŭth).

'Ra' di ant, beaming with bright

ness; shining.

3 Dost (dist).

Molds the dull clay to beauty's richèst line, Or with more tedious skill, obedient to thy will,

By touches imperceptible and fine,

Works slowly day by day the rough-hewn block away,
Till the soft shadow of the bust's pale smile
Wakes into statue-life and pays the assiduous' toil!

3. Thee the young painter knows-whose fervent' eyes,
O'er the blank waste of canvas fondly bending,

4

Some pictured scene, with colors softly blending-
Green bowers and leafy glades, the old Arcadian shades,
Where thwarting glimpses of the sun are thrown,
And dancing nymphs and shepherds one by one
Appear to bless his sight in fancy's glowing light,
Peopling that spot of green earth's flowery breast
With every attitude of joy and rest.

4. Lo! at his pencil's touch steals faintly fōrth

(Like an uprising star in the cold north)

Some face which soon shall glow with beauty's fire:

Dim seems the sketch to those who stand around,

Dim and uncertain as an echoed sound,

But oh! how bright to him, whose hand thou dost inspire!

5. Thee, also, doth the dreaming poet hail,

Fond comforter of many a weary day

When through the clouds his fancy's car can sail

To worlds of radiance far, how far, ǎway!

At thy clear touch (as at the burst of light
Which morning shoots along the purple hills,

1 As sĭd' u oŭs, done with constant diligence or attention; unremitting.

4 Ar ċā' di an, relating to Arcadia, an inland, central, and mountainous country of Peloponnesus, or

2 Fer' vent, earnest; glowing; Moreä. It had magnificent, everwarm in feeling.

3 Măg'iċ, pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Māģī, or "wise men from the East," who brought gifts to the infant Jesus; apparently requiring more than human power.

green mountain sides, innumerable brooks, rich pastures, and neverfailing springs for the flocks and herds. Its people, who were of the Doric race, always led a pastoral life, and cared not for the life of towns and cities.