Xxii

Who to the visions of immortal Thought, Engendered by the music of the mind-- First in that place where our poor human kind Sit in the cave and watch the shadows wrought By firelight on the wall, obscurely caught; Then luring on to where the soul, half blind, Turns from the Splendour which itself divined-- With kinglier toil a loftier art hath brought, Than Plato? Who more haunted by the light Hath ever yet gone coasting with the sun, Or in the deep and constellated night, Claimed from the spheres their voices as they run? Or soaring where the Eternal Glories shine Hath stretched to earth a more majestic line?

HESEPE, 13th June