XXVI
CONTINUED

As indignation mastered grief, my tongue

Spake bitter words; words that did ill agree

With those rich stores of Nature’s imagery,

And divine Art, that fast to memory clung—

Thy gifts, magnificent Region, ever young 5

In the sun’s eye, and in his sister’s sight

How beautiful! how worthy to be sung

In strains of rapture, or subdued delight!

I feign not; witness that unwelcome shock