‘Beside my path, as silent as a ghost;
But the new Vision, and the cold bright car,
With solemn speed and stunning music, crossed _435
‘The forest, and as if from some dread war
Triumphantly returning, the loud million
Fiercely extolled the fortune of her star.
‘A moving arch of victory, the vermilion
And green and azure plumes of Iris had _440
Built high over her wind-winged pavilion,
‘And underneath aethereal glory clad
The wilderness, and far before her flew
The tempest of the splendour, which forbade
‘Shadow to fall from leaf and stone; the crew _445
Seemed in that light, like atomies to dance
Within a sunbeam;—some upon the new
‘Embroidery of flowers, that did enhance
The grassy vesture of the desert, played,
Forgetful of the chariot’s swift advance; _450
‘Others stood gazing, till within the shade
Of the great mountain its light left them dim;
Others outspeeded it; and others made
‘Circles around it, like the clouds that swim
Round the high moon in a bright sea of air; _455
And more did follow, with exulting hymn,
‘The chariot and the captives fettered there:—
But all like bubbles on an eddying flood
Fell into the same track at last, and were
‘Borne onward.—I among the multitude _460
Was swept—me, sweetest flowers delayed not long;
Me, not the shadow nor the solitude;