On thy bald, awful head, O sovran Blanc!

The Arne and Aveyron at thy base

Rove ceaselessly; but thou, most awful form!

Risest from forth thy silent sea of pines

How silently! Around thee and above,

Deep in the air and dark, substantial, black—

An ebon mass: methinks thou piercest it

As with a wedge! But when I look again,

It is thine own calm home, thy crystal shrine,

Thy habitation from eternity!