Cave of Staffa. 1835.
[904] Note the topographical accuracy of this description.—Ed.
[905] 1837.
And flashing upwards to its topmost height, 1835.
[906] Compare, On a high part of the Coast of Cumberland, p. [338]—
No; 'tis the earth-voice of the mighty sea,
Whispering how meek and gentle he can be!—Ed.
XXX
CAVE OF STAFFA
Ye shadowy Beings, that have rights and claims
In every cell of Fingal's mystic Grot,
Where are ye? Driven or venturing to the spot,
Our fathers glimpses caught of your thin Frames,
And, by your mien and bearing, knew your names; 5
And they could hear his ghostly song who trod
Earth, till the flesh lay on him like a load,
While he struck his desolate harp without hopes or aims.
Vanished ye are, but subject to recal;
Why keep we else the instincts whose dread law 10
Ruled here of yore, till what men felt they saw,
Not by black arts but magic natural!
If eyes be still sworn vassals of belief,
Yon light shapes forth a Bard, that shade a Chief.