The Pleasures Of Imagination - The Third Book - Poem Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST BUVWXYHZA2B2C2RD2E2F 2G2H2I2 J2K2L2M2N2O2P2Q2R2S2 T2T2T2T2T2U2T2V2W2T2 X2Y2Z2A3T2T2T2T2T2B3 T2R2T2C3B2D3T2NXE3F3 G3H3I3J3K3D2T2L3M3M2 T2K2N3T2T2T2T2O3P3HT 2T2Q3B3R3S3T2T3U3V3T 2K2T2W3U2T2X3J3T2Y3E 3L3BM2ZZ3T2A4T2B4C4I 3T2T2D4A3T2Z3E4T2T2T 2DF4G4H4I4J4T2 NNNT2A3T2K4C3NT2NT2L 4L4K4T2U3NB3T2C2M4R2 N4NA3NL4NO4NP4K4T2T2 U3T2NL4J3B3P3NNL4NQ4 NNNK4I3NK4M4NT2NNT2T 2A3P4K4T2O4T2T2T2F4R 4NS4K4T2B3NB3M4K4K4P T2NNT2NT4C3C3NNB3G3T 2K4NT2NC2L4U4NT2S4T2 V4NM2T2NT2K4T2V4T2C3 T2T2T2R4 W4T2B3NT2NNT2T2K4NT2 X4T2T2QNT2T2T2Z3L4T2 M4Y4NZ4NJ3C3NT2V4V4N T2NT2NT2XM4L4T2NK4NT 2T2L4M4T2NT2L4P4X4T2 K4NC3T2O4NL4T2K4M4T2 T2K4 V4NV4T2NT2NNO4M4KM4T 2NT2C3NP4V4NNT2NNT2C 3NJ3T2T2M4 L4T2M4NM4T2V4T2M4NNL 4NT2NT2C3T2K4L4T2NK4 T2T2M4NM4NNT2L4T2M4N NC3NI3NT2NT2NNV4T2T2 S3M4K4T2T2V4K4T2NNJ3 NNK4NNI3L4L4T2NT2NT2 NT2L4Y3NNK4V4NNV4T2T 2T2K4I3K4C3T2T2NT2NT 2M4T2M4T2NT2T2NL4NNT 2V4NM4K4J3NT2M4L4NK4 NV4NM4NT2T2T2NK4C3T2 K4M4T2C3K4T2NT2K4NT2 T2K4T2L4NX4T2T2T2T2E 2NNNT2T2T2L4

What tongue then may explain the various fate	A
Which reigns o'er earth or who to mortal eyes	B
Illustrate this perplexing labyrinth	C
Of joy and woe through which the feet of man	D
Are doom'd to wander That eternal mind	E
From passions wants and envy far estrang'd	F
Who built the spacious universe and deck'd	G
Each part so richly with whate'er pertains	H
To life to health to pleasure why bade he	I
The viper Evil creeping in pollute	J
The goodly scene and with insidious rage	K
While the poor inmate looks around and smiles	L
Dart her fell sting with poison to his soul	M
Hard is the question and from ancient days	N
Hath still oppress'd with care the sage's thought	O
Hath drawn forth accents from the poet's lyre	P
Too sad too deeply plaintive nor did e'er	Q
Those chiefs of human kind from whom the light	R
Of heavenly truth first gleam'd on barbarous lands	S
Forget this dreadful secret when they told	T
What wonderous things had to their favor'd eyes	B
And ears on cloudy mountain been reveal'd	U
Or in deep cave by nymph or power divine	V
Portentous oft and wild Yet one I know	W
Could I the speech of lawgivers assume	X
One old and splendid tale I would record	Y
With which the Muse of Solon in sweet strains	H
Adorn'd this theme profound and render'd all	Z
Its darkness all its terrors bright as noon	A2
Or gentle as the golden star of eve	B2
Who knows not Solon last and wisest far	C2
Of those whom Greece triumphant in the height	R
Of glory styl'd her fathers him whose voice	D2
Through Athens hush'd the storm of civil wrath	E2
Taught envious want and cruel wealth to join	F2
In friendship and with sweet compulsion tam'd	G2
Minerva's eager people to his laws	H2
Which their own goddess in his breast inspir'd	I2
	-
'Twas now the time when his heroic task	J2
Seem'd but perform'd in vain when sooth'd by years	K2
Of flattering service the fond multitude	L2
Hung with their sudden counsels on the breath	M2
Of great Pisistratus that chief renown'd	N2
Whom Hermes and the Idalian queen had train'd	O2
Even from his birth to every powerful art	P2
Of pleasing and persuading from whose lips	Q2
Flow'd eloquence which like the vows of love	R2
Could steal away suspicion from the hearts	S2
Of all who listen'd Thus from day to day	T2
He won the general suffrage and beheld	T2
Each rival overshadow'd and depress'd	T2
Beneath his ampler state yet oft complain'd	T2
As one less kindly treated who had hop'd	T2
To merit favor but submits perforce	U2
To find another's services preferr'd	T2
Nor yet relaxeth aught of faith or zeal	V2
Then tales were scatter'd of his envious foes	W2
Of snares that watch'd his fame of daggers aim'd	T2
Against his life At last with trembling limbs	X2
His hair diffus'd and wild his garments loose	Y2
And stain'd with blood from self inflicted wounds	Z2
He burst into the public place as there	A3
There only were his refuge and declar'd	T2
In broken words with sighs of deep regret	T2
The mortal danger he had scarce repell'd	T2
Fir'd with his tragic tale the indignant croud	T2
To guard his steps forthwith a menial band	T2
Array'd beneath his eye for deeds of war	B3
Decree O still too liberal of their trust	T2
And oft betray'd by over grateful love	R2
The generous people Now behold him fenc'd	T2
By mercenary weapons like a king	C3
Forth issuing from the city gate at eve	B2
To seek his rural mansion and with pomp	D3
Crouding the public road the swain stops short	T2
And sighs the officious townsmen stand at gaze	N
And shrinking give the sullen pageant room	X
Yet not the less obsequious was his brow	E3
Nor less profuse of courteous words his tongue	F3
Of gracious gifts his hand the while by stealth	G3
Like a small torrent fed with evening showers	H3
His train increas'd till at that fatal time	I3
Just as the public eye with doubt and shame	J3
Startled began to question what it saw	K3
Swift as the sound of earthquakes rush'd a voice	D2
Through Athens that Pisistratus had fill'd	T2
The rocky citadel with hostile arms	L3
Had barr'd the steep ascent and sate within	M3
Amid his hirelings meditating death	M2
To all whose stubborn necks his yoke refus'd	T2
Where then was Solon After ten long years	K2
Of absence full of haste from foreign shores	N3
The sage the lawgiver had now arriv'd	T2
Arriv'd alas to see that Athens that	T2
Fair temple rais'd by him and sacred call'd	T2
To liberty and concord now profan'd	T2
By savage hate or sunk into a den	O3
Of slaves who crouch beneath the master's scourge	P3
And deprecate his wrath and court his chains	H
Yet did not the wise patriot's grief impede	T2
His virtuous will nor was his heart inclin'd	T2
One moment with such woman like distress	Q3
To view the transient storms of civil war	B3
As thence to yield his country and her hopes	R3
To all devouring bondage His bright helm	S3
Even while the traitor's impious act is told	T2
He buckles on his hoary head he girds	T3
With mail his stooping breast the shield the spear	U3
He snatcheth and with swift indignant strides	V3
The assembled people seeks proclaims aloud	T2
It was no time for counsel in their spears	K2
Lay all their prudence now the tyrant yet	T2
Was not so firmly seated on his throne	W3
But that one shock of their united force	U2
Would dash him from the summit of his pride	T2
Headlong and groveling in the dust What else	X3
Can re assert the lost Athenian name	J3
So cheaply to the laughter of the world	T2
Betray'd by guile beneath an infant's faith	Y3
So mock'd and scorn'd Away then freedom now	E3
And safety dwell not but with fame in arms	L3
Myself will shew you where their mansion lies	B
And through the walks of danger or of death	M2
Conduct you to them While he spake through all	Z
Their crouded ranks his quick sagacious eye	Z3
He darted where no cheerful voice was heard	T2
Of social daring no stretch'd arm was seen	A4
Hastening their common task but pale mistrust	T2
Wrinkled each brow they shook their heads and down	B4
Their slack hands hung cold sighs and whisper'd doubts	C4
From breath to breath stole round The sage mean time	I3
Look'd speechless on while his big bosom heav'd	T2
Struggling with shame and sorrow till at last	T2
A tear broke forth and O immortal shades	D4
O Theseus he exclaim'd o Codrus where	A3
Where are ye now behold for what ye toil'd	T2
Through life behold for whom ye chose to die	Z3
No more he added but with lonely steps	E4
Weary and slow his silver beard depress'd	T2
And his stern eyes bent heedless on the ground	T2
Back to his silent dwelling he repair'd	T2
There o'er the gate his armor as a man	D
Whom from the service of the war his chief	F4
Dismisseth after no inglorious toil	G4
He fix'd in general view One wishful look	H4
He sent unconscious toward the public place	I4
At parting then beneath his quiet roof	J4
Without a word without a sigh retir'd	T2
	-
Scarce had the morrow's sun his golden rays	N
From sweet Hymettus darted o'er the fanes	N
Of Cecrops to the Salaminian shores	N
When lo on Solon's threshold met the feet	T2
Of four Athenians by the same sad care	A3
Conducted all than whom the state beheld	T2
None nobler First came Megacles the son	K4
Of great Alcmaeon whom the Lydian king	C3
The mild unhappy Croesus in his days	N
Of glory had with costly gifts adorn'd	T2
Fair vessels splendid garments tinctur'd webs	N
And heaps of treasur'd gold beyond the lot	T2
Of many sovrans thus requiting well	L4
That hospitable favor which erewhile	L4
Alcmaeon to his messengers had shewn	K4
Whom he with offerings worthy of the God	T2
Sent from his throne in Sardis to revere	U3
Apollo's Delphic shrine With Megacles	N
Approach'd his son whom Agarista bore	B3
The virtuous child of Clisthenes whose hand	T2
Of Grecian scepters the most ancient far	C2
In Sicyon sway'd but greater fame he drew	M4
From arms control'd by justice from the love	R2
Of the wise Muses and the unenvied wreath	N4
Which glad Olympia gave For thither once	N
His warlike steeds the hero led and there	A3
Contended through the tumult of the course	N
With skillful wheels Then victor at the goal	L4
Amid the applauses of assembled Greece	N
High on his car he stood and wav'd his arm	O4
Silence insu'd when strait the herald's voice	N
Was heard inviting every Grecian youth	P4
Whom Clisthenes content might call his son	K4
To visit ere twice thirty days were pass'd	T2
The towers of Sicyon there the chief decreed	T2
Within the circuit of the following year	U3
To join at Hymen's altar hand in hand	T2
With his fair daughter him among the guests	N
Whom worthiest he should deem Forthwith from all	L4
The bounds of Greece the ambitious wooers came	J3
From rich Hesperia from the Illyrian shore	B3
Where Epidamnus over Adria's surge	P3
Looks on the setting sun from those brave tribes	N
Chaonian or Molossian whom the race	N
Of great Achilles governs glorying still	L4
In Troy o'erthrown from rough Etolia nurse	N
Of men who first among the Greeks threw off	Q4
The yoke of kings to commerce and to arms	N
Devoted from Thessalia's fertile meads	N
Where flows Pen us near the lofty walls	N
Of Cranon old from strong Eretria queen	K4
Of all Euboean cities who sublime	I3
On the steep margin of Euripus views	N
Across the tide the Marathonian plain	K4
Not yet the haunt of glory Athens too	M4
Minerva's care among her graceful sons	N
Found equal lovers for the princely maid	T2
Nor was proud Argos wanting nor the domes	N
Of sacred Elis nor the Arcadian groves	N
That overshade Alph us echoing oft	T2
Some shepherd's song But through the illustrious band	T2
Was none who might with Megacles compare	A3
In all the honors of unblemish'd youth	P4
His was the beauteous bride and now their son	K4
Young Clisthenes betimes at Solon's gate	T2
Stood anxious leaning forward on the arm	O4
Of his great sire with earnest eyes that ask'd	T2
When the slow hinge would turn with restless feet	T2
And cheeks now pale now glowing for his heart	T2
Throbb'd full of bursting passions anger grief	F4
With scorn imbitter'd by the generous boy	R4
Scarce understood but which like noble seeds	N
Are destin'd for his country and himself	S4
In riper years to bring forth fruits divine	K4
Of liberty and glory Next appear'd	T2
Two brave companions whom one mother bore	B3
To different lords but whom the better ties	N
Of firm esteem and friendship render'd more	B3
Than brothers first Miltiades who drew	M4
From godlike Eacus his ancient line	K4
That Eacus whose unimpeach'd renown	K4
For sanctity and justice won the lyre	P
Of elder bards to celebrate him thron'd	T2
In Hades o'er the dead where his decrees	N
The guilty soul within the burning gates	N
Of Tartarus compel or send the good	T2
To inhabit with eternal health and peace	N
The valleys of Elysium From a stem	T4
So sacred ne'er could worthier scyon spring	C3
Than this Miltiades whose aid erelong	C3
The chiefs of Thrace already on their ways	N
Sent by the inspir'd foreknowing maid who sits	N
Upon the Delphic tripod shall implore	B3
To wield their sceptre and the rural wealth	G3
Of fruitful Chersonesus to protect	T2
With arms and laws But nothing careful now	K4
Save for his injur'd country here he stands	N
In deep solicitude with Cymon join'd	T2
Unconscious both what widely different lots	N
Await them taught by nature as they are	C2
To know one common good one common ill	L4
For Cimon not his valor not his birth	U4
Deriv'd from Codrus not a thousand gifts	N
Dealt round him with a wise benignant hand	T2
No not the Olympic olive by himself	S4
From his own brow transferr'd to sooth the mind	T2
Of this Pisistratus can long preserve	V4
From the fell envy of the tyrant's sons	N
And their assassin dagger But if death	M2
Obscure upon his gentle steps attend	T2
Yet fate an ample recompense prepares	N
In his victorious son that other great	T2
Miltiades who o'er the very throne	K4
Of glory shall with Time's assiduous hand	T2
In adamantine characters ingrave	V4
The name of Athens and by freedom arm'd	T2
'Gainst the gigantic pride of Asia's king	C3
Shall all the achievements of the heroes old	T2
Surmount of Hercules of all who sail'd	T2
From Thessaly with Jason all who fought	T2
For empire or for fame at Thebes or Troy	R4
	-
Such were the patriots who within the porch	W4
Of Solon had assembled But the gate	T2
Now opens and across the ample floor	B3
Strait they proceed into an open space	N
Bright with the beams of morn a verdant spot	T2
Where stands a rural altar pil'd with sods	N
Cut from the grassy turf and girt with wreaths	N
Of branching palm Here Solon's self they found	T2
Clad in a robe of purple pure and deck'd	T2
With leaves of olive on his reverend brow	K4
He bow'd before the altar and o'er cakes	N
Of barley from two earthen vessels pour'd	T2
Of honey and of milk a plenteous stream	X4
Calling meantime the Muses to accept	T2
His simple offering by no victim ting'd	T2
With blood nor sullied by destroying fire	Q
But such as for himself Apollo claims	N
In his own Delos where his favorite haunt	T2
Is thence the Altar of the Pious nam'd	T2
Unseen the guests drew near and silent view'd	T2
That worship till the hero priest his eye	Z3
Turn'd toward a seat on which prepar'd there lay	L4
A branch of laurel Then his friends confess'd	T2
Before him stood Backward his step he drew	M4
As loth that care or tumult should approach	Y4
Those early rites divine but soon their looks	N
So anxious and their hands held forth with such	Z4
Desponding gesture bring him on perforce	N
To speak to their affliction Are ye come
He cried to mourn with me this common shame	J3
Or ask ye some new effort which may break	C3
Our fetters Know then of the public cause	N
Not for yon traitor's cunning or his might	T2
Do I despair nor could I wish from Jove	V4
Aught dearer than at this late hour of life	V4
As once by laws so now by strenuous arms	N
From impious violation to assert	T2
The rights our fathers left us But alas	N
What arms or who shall wield them Ye beheld	T2
The Athenian people Many bitter days	N
Must pass and many wounds from cruel pride	T2
Be felt ere yet their partial hearts find room	X
For just resentment or their hands indure	M4
To smite this tyrant brood so near to all	L4
Their hopes so oft admir'd so long belov'd	T2
That time will come however Be it yours	N
To watch its fair approach and urge it on	K4
With honest prudence me it ill beseems	N
Again to supplicate the unwilling croud	T2
To rescue from a vile deceiver's hold	T2
That envied power which once with eager zeal	L4
They offer'd to myself nor can I plunge
In counsels deep and various nor prepare	M4
For distant wars thus faltering as I tread	T2
On life's last verge erelong to join the shades	N
Of Minos and Lycurgus But behold	T2
What care imploys me now My vows I pay	L4
To the sweet Muses teachers of my youth	P4
And solace of my age If right I deem	X4
Of the still voice that whispers at my heart	T2
The immortal sisters have not quite withdrawn	K4
Their old harmonious influence Let your tongues	N
With sacred silence favor what I speak	C3
And haply shall my faithful lips be taught	T2
To unfold celestial counsels which may arm	O4
As with impenetrable steel your breasts	N
For the long strife before you and repel	L4
The darts of adverse fate He said and snatch'd	T2
The laurel bough and sate in silence down	K4
Fix'd wrapp'd in solemn musing full before	M4
The sun who now from all his radiant orb
Drove the gray clouds and pour'd his genial light	T2
Upon the breast of Solon Solon rais'd	T2
Aloft the leafy rod and thus began	K4
	-
Ye beauteous offspring of Olympian Jove	V4
And Memory divine Pierian maids	N
Hear me propitious In the morn of life	V4
When hope shone bright and all the prospect smil'd	T2
To your sequester'd mansion oft my steps	N
Were turn'd o Muses and within your gate	T2
My offerings paid Ye taught me then with strains	N
Of flowing harmony to soften war's	N
Dire voice or in fair colors that might charm	O4
The public eye to clothe the form austere	M4
Of civil counsel Now my feeble age	K
Neglected and supplanted of the hope
On which it lean'd yet sinks not but to you	M4
To your mild wisdom flies refuge belov'd	T2
Of solitude and silence Ye can teach
The visions of my bed whate'er the gods	N
In the rude ages of the world inspir'd	T2
Or the first heroes acted ye can make	C3
The morning light more gladsome to my sense	N
Than ever it appear'd to active youth	P4
Pursuing careless pleasure ye can give	V4
To this long leisure these unheeded hours	N
A labor as sublime as when the sons	N
Of Athens throng'd and speechless round me stood	T2
To hear pronounc'd for all their future deeds	N
The bounds of right and wrong Celestial powers	N
I feel that ye are near me and behold	T2
To meet your energy divine I bring	C3
A high and sacred theme not less than those	N
Which to the eternal custody of fame	J3
Your lips intrusted when of old ye deign'd	T2
With Orpheus or with Homer to frequent	T2
The groves of Heamus or the Chian shore	M4
	-
Ye know harmonious maids for what of all	L4
My various life was e'er from you estrang'd	T2
Oft hath my solitary song to you	M4
Reveal'd that duteous pride which turn'd my steps	N
To willing exile earnest to withdraw	M4
From envy and the disappointed thirst	T2
Of lucre lest the bold familiar strife	V4
Which in the eye of Athens they upheld	T2
Against her legislator should impair	M4
With trivial doubt the reverence of his laws	N
To Egypt therefore through the Aegean isles	N
My course I steer'd and by the banks of Nile	L4
Dwelt in Canopus Thence the hallow'd domes	N
Of Sas and the rites to Isis paid	T2
I sought and in her temple's silent courts	N
Through many changing moons attentive heard	T2
The venerable Sonchis while his tongue	C3
At morn or midnight the deep story told	T2
Of her who represents whate'er has been	K4
Or is or shall be whose mysterious veil	L4
No mortal hand hath ever yet remov'd	T2
By him exhorted southward to the walls	N
Of On I pass'd the city of the sun	K4
The ever youthful god 'Twas there amid	T2
His priests and sages who the live long night	T2
Watch the dread movements of the starry sphere	M4
Or who in wondrous fables half disclose	N
The secrets of the elements 'twas there	M4
That great Psenophis taught my raptur'd ears	N
The fame of old Atlantis of her chiefs	N
And her pure laws the first which earth obey'd	T2
Deep in my bosom sunk the noble tale	L4
And often while I listen'd did my mind	T2
Foretell with what delight her own free lyre	M4
Should sometime for an Attic audience raise	N
Anew that lofty scene and from their tombs	N
Call forth those ancient demigods to speak	C3
Of justice and the hidden providence	N
That walks among mankind But yet meantime	I3
The mystic pomp of Ammon's gloomy sons	N
Became less pleasing With contempt I gaz'd	T2
On that tame garb and those unvarying paths	N
To which the double yoke of king and priest	T2
Had cramp'd the sullen race At last with hymns	N
Invoking our own Pallas and the gods	N
Of cheerful Greece a glad farewell I gave	V4
To Egypt and before the southern wind	T2
Spread my full sails What climes I then survey'd	T2
What fortunes I encounter'd in the realm	S3
Of Croesus or upon the Cyprian shore	M4
The Muse who prompts my bosom doth not now	K4
Consent that I reveal But when at length
Ten times the sun returning from the south
Had strow'd with flowers the verdant earth and fill'd	T2
The groves with music pleas'd I then beheld	T2
The term of those long errors drawing nigh	V4
Nor yet I said will I sit down within	K4
The walls of Athens till my feet have trod	T2
The Cretan soil have pierc'd those reverend haunts	N
Whence law and civil concord issued forth
As from their ancient home and still to Greece	N
Their wisest loftiest discipline proclaim	J3
Strait where Amnisus mart of wealthy ships	N
Appears beneath fam'd Cnossus and her towers	N
Like the fair handmaid of a stately queen	K4
I check'd my prow and thence with eager steps	N
The city of Minos enter'd O ye gods	N
Who taught the leaders of the simpler time	I3
By written words to curb the untoward will	L4
Of mortals how within that generous isle	L4
Have ye the triumphs of your power display'd	T2
Munificent Those splendid merchants lords	N
Of traffic and the sea with what delight	T2
I saw them at their public meal like sons	N
Of the same household join the plainer sort	T2
Whose wealth was only freedom whence to these	N
Vile envy and to those fantastic pride	T2
Alike was strange but noble concord still	L4
Cherish'd the strength untam'd the rustic faith	Y3
Of their first fathers Then the growing race	N
How pleasing to behold them in their schools	N
Their sports their labors ever plac'd within	K4
O shade of Minos thy controlling eye	V4
Here was a docile band in tuneful tones	N
Thy laws pronouncing or with lofty hymns	N
Praising the bounteous gods or to preserve	V4
Their country's heroes from oblivious night	T2
Resounding what the Muse inspir'd of old	T2
There on the verge of manhood others met	T2
In heavy armor through the heats of noon	K4
To march the rugged mountains height to climb	I3
With measur'd swiftness from the hard bent bow	K4
To send resistless arrows to their mark	C3
Or for the fame of prowess to contend	T2
Now wrestling now with fists and staves oppos'd	T2
Now with the biting falchion and the fence	N
Of brazen shields while still the warbling flute	T2
Presided o'er the combat breathing strains	N
Grave solemn soft and changing headlong spite	T2
To thoughtful resolution cool and clear	M4
Such I beheld those islanders renown'd	T2
So tutor'd from their birth to meet in war	M4
Each bold invader and in peace to guard	T2
That living flame of reverence for their laws	N
Which nor the storms of fortune nor the flood	T2
Of foreign wealth diffus'd o'er all the land	T2
Could quench or slacken First of human names	N
In every Cretan's heart was Minos still	L4
And holiest far of what the sun surveys	N
Through his whole course were those primeval seats	N
Which with religious footsteps he had taught	T2
Their sires to approach the wild Dictean cave	V4
Where Jove was born the ever verdant meads	N
Of Ida and the spacious grotto where	M4
His active youth he pass'd and where his throne	K4
Yet stands mysterious whither Minos came	J3
Each ninth returning year the king of gods	N
And mortals there in secret to consult	T2
On justice and the tables of his law	M4
To inscribe anew Oft also with like zeal	L4
Great Rhea's mansion from the Cnossian gates	N
Men visit nor less oft the antique fane	K4
Built on that sacred spot along the banks	N
Of shady Theron where benignant Jove	V4
And his majestic consort join'd their hands	N
And spoke their nuptial vows Alas 'twas there	M4
That the dire fame of Athens sunk in bonds	N
I first receiv'd what time an annual feast	T2
Had summon'd all the genial country round	T2
By sacrifice and pomp to bring to mind	T2
That first great spousal while the inamor'd youths	N
And virgins with the priest before the shrine	K4
Observe the same pure ritual and invoke	C3
The same glad omens There among the croud	T2
Of strangers from those naval cities drawn	K4
Which deck like gems the island's northern shore	M4
A merchant of Aegina I descried	T2
My ancient host but forward as I sprung	C3
To meet him he with dark dejected brow	K4
Stopp'd half averse and O Athenian guest	T2
He said art thou in Crete these joyful rites	N
Partaking Know thy laws are blotted out	T2
Thy country kneels before a tyrant's throne	K4
He added names of men with hostile deeds	N
Disastrous which obscure and indistinct	T2
I heard for while he spake my heart grew cold	T2
And my eyes dim the altars and their train	K4
No more were present to me how I far'd	T2
Or whither turn'd I know not nor recall	L4
Aught of those moments other than the sense	N
Of one who struggles in oppressive sleep
And from the toils of some distressful dream	X4
To break away with palpitating heart	T2
Weak limbs and temples bath'd in death like dew	T2
Makes many a painful effort When at last	T2
The sun and nature's face again appear'd	T2
Not far I found me where the public path	E2
Winding through cypress groves and swelling meads	N
From Cnossus to the cave of Jove ascends	N
Heedless I follow'd on till soon the skirts	N
Of Ida rose before me and the vault	T2
Wide opening pierc'd the mountain's rocky side	T2
Entering within the threshold on the ground	T2
I flung me sad faint over worn with toil	L4

Mark Akenside

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