The stranger past, and Williams, by the fire,
Long mused on this mysterious event:
Was it some seraph, robed in man’s attire,
Come down to urge and hallow his intent?—
To counsel—kindle—and his breast inspire
With words of high prophetic sentiment?
Or had he dreamed and in his mind, as clear
As if in corporal presence, seen the seer?
XXVI.
’Twas strange—mysterious! Yet, if dream it were,