England's Antiphon

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III.

And if there be whom broken ties
Afflict, or injuries assail,
Yon hazy ridges to their eyes
Present a glorious scale[162]
Climbing suffused with sunny air,
To stop--no record hath told where; And tempting Fancy to ascend,
And with immortal spirits blend!
--Wings at my shoulders seem to play! But, rooted here, I stand and gaze On those bright steps that heavenward raise Their practicable way.
Come forth, ye drooping old men, look abroad, And see to what fair countries ye are bound! And if some traveller, weary of his road, Hath slept since noontide on the grassy ground, Ye genii, to his covert speed,
And wake him with such gentle heed As may attune his soul to meet the dower Bestowed on this transcendent hour.


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