The Complete Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley — Volume 1 by Percy Bysshe Shelley
page 116 of 1047 (11%)
page 116 of 1047 (11%)
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It was a Temple, such as mortal hand
Has never built, nor ecstasy, nor dream _560 Reared in the cities of enchanted land: 'Twas likest Heaven, ere yet day's purple stream Ebbs o'er the western forest, while the gleam Of the unrisen moon among the clouds Is gathering--when with many a golden beam _565 The thronging constellations rush in crowds, Paving with fire the sky and the marmoreal floods. 50. Like what may be conceived of this vast dome, When from the depths which thought can seldom pierce Genius beholds it rise, his native home, _570 Girt by the deserts of the Universe; Yet, nor in painting's light, or mightier verse, Or sculpture's marble language, can invest That shape to mortal sense--such glooms immerse That incommunicable sight, and rest _575 Upon the labouring brain and overburdened breast. 51. Winding among the lawny islands fair, Whose blosmy forests starred the shadowy deep, The wingless boat paused where an ivory stair Its fretwork in the crystal sea did steep, _580 Encircling that vast Fane's aerial heap: We disembarked, and through a portal wide We passed--whose roof of moonstone carved, did keep A glimmering o'er the forms on every side, |
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