49. NATURE REPROVED.(notes)For ages worshipp'd by the Minstrel throng,By rippling brook, in air, and field, and wood,On mountain top, and ridge of billowy flood,Nature! thou dost thy Maker mighty wrong.Hast thou no speech to check the erring song?Glows not thy beauteous cheek with mantling bloodThyself to take His praise, "First Fair, First Good?"Wilt thou this wild delusion still prolong?Vain Idol! this thy folly thou shalt rue:A voice is swelling on the mountain breeze,And echoes loud from yonder azure sky—"Thy beauty's light shall turn to deadly hue;On all thy charms the kindling flames shall seize,And worshipper and god in ashes lie!"
49. NATURE REPROVED.(notes)
For ages worshipp'd by the Minstrel throng,By rippling brook, in air, and field, and wood,On mountain top, and ridge of billowy flood,Nature! thou dost thy Maker mighty wrong.Hast thou no speech to check the erring song?Glows not thy beauteous cheek with mantling bloodThyself to take His praise, "First Fair, First Good?"Wilt thou this wild delusion still prolong?Vain Idol! this thy folly thou shalt rue:A voice is swelling on the mountain breeze,And echoes loud from yonder azure sky—"Thy beauty's light shall turn to deadly hue;On all thy charms the kindling flames shall seize,And worshipper and god in ashes lie!"
For ages worshipp'd by the Minstrel throng,
By rippling brook, in air, and field, and wood,
On mountain top, and ridge of billowy flood,
Nature! thou dost thy Maker mighty wrong.
Hast thou no speech to check the erring song?
Glows not thy beauteous cheek with mantling blood
Thyself to take His praise, "First Fair, First Good?"
Wilt thou this wild delusion still prolong?
Vain Idol! this thy folly thou shalt rue:
A voice is swelling on the mountain breeze,
And echoes loud from yonder azure sky—
"Thy beauty's light shall turn to deadly hue;
On all thy charms the kindling flames shall seize,
And worshipper and god in ashes lie!"