The spirit bowed, and then a tear—my Nature was subdued,

A thrill of awe swept through my frame, I worshiped as I viewed;

A moment more I silent gazed, then humbly bent the knee,

As, in Niagara’s mightiness, I felt God’s majesty!

I saw His glory shining round where tremblingly I stood,

I cast a glance to His bright realm then on the foaming flood:

And is there strength, I humbly asked, in the Almighty will

To calm this boisterous element, and bid its rage be still?—

To sweep it e’en from Nature’s face, with but a single breath,

Resistlessly as human life is swept away by death?