III.

Then, haply, mortal and celestial lays,

Mingling their tones, from nature’s temple rose,

When nought but that majestic song of praise

Broke on the sanctity of night’s repose,

With music since unheard: and man might trace

By stream and vale, in deep embow’ring shade,

Devotion’s first and loveliest dwelling-place,

The footsteps of th’ Omnipotent, who made

That spot a shrine, where youthful nature cast

Her consecrated wealth, rejoicing as He pass’d.