The Poem
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| Dark and more dark the shades of evening fell; The wished-for point was reached—but at an hour When little could be gained from that rich dower Of prospect, whereof many thousands tell. Yet did the glowing west with marvellous power Salute us; there stood Indian citadel, Temple of Greece, and minster with its tower Substantially expressed—a place for bell Or clock to toll from! Many a tempting isle, With groves that never were imagined, lay 'Mid seas how steadfast! objects all for the eye Of silent rapture; but we felt the while We should forget them; they are of the sky, And from our earthly memory fade away. [Note] [Contents 1802] [Main Contents] | [1] [2] | 5 10 |
| 1837 | |
| Ere we had reach'd the wish'd-for place, night fell: We were too late at least by one dark hour, And nothing could we see of all that power Of prospect, ... | 1807 |
| Dark, and more dark, the shades of Evening fell; The wish'd-for point was reach'd—but late the hour; And little could we see of all that power | 1815 |
| And little could be gained from all that dower | 1827 |
Ere we had reach'd the wish'd-for place, night fell:
We were too late at least by one dark hour,
And nothing could we see of all that power
Of prospect, ...
Dark, and more dark, the shades of Evening fell;
The wish'd-for point was reach'd—but late the hour;
And little could we see of all that power
And little could be gained from all that dower