66 Why was the sight

To such a tender ball as the eye confined,

So easy and so obvious to be quenched---
And not, like feeling, through all parts diffused
That she might look at will through every pore?"

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Chaos sitting on his dark and solitary throne-God commanding the Light-Its birth-Its influence on Darkness-Order in the heavens-Its first journey round the Earth- Resignation of Gloom-Sun's effect on Moon and Stars-The glory of Heaven proclaimed by Angels - Their song of praise - Persecution of darkness till it found the eye of man Lamentation of the blind-Effects of music on the blind-Acuteness of their ear— Perfection on the human body-Desire to behold light-Unsafe position of the blind in crowded cities-London-Blindness of Milton Saul struck blind-Samson's eyes destroyed by the Philistines-Curing of the blind by Christ-The sun darkened at his death-Darkness and crime allied-Elymas the sorcerer struck blind by Paul-The Sodomites, assembled round Lot's house, struck blind by the angels-Effects of the absence and presence of light on the captives of the Bastile, &c.-Ingenuity of the blind-Their education The blind warrior, ZiskaAppeal in behalf of the indigent blind-The great philanthropist, Howard His epitaph in St. Paul's Cathedral, London-Affection of the lower creation towards their blind-Prayers of the poor-Reflection on riches- The benevolent rich-The hope denied the blind-The decay of sight by age-Different climates -Loss of vision-Reminiscences of former scenes-Description of external nature for the pleasure of the blind-Rural scenes in Scotland-The Dusky Glen-Tannahill - Summer among the flowers-Kensington-Song-The Thames-Richmond-Patri

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arch's lay to Richmond-Thomson-Gray-Pope-The vale of Clyde-Song- Benlomond-West Highlands-Distance comparative blindness - Death of Byron-Effects of affectionate language on the blind-Dream of the blind concerning nature— Sorrow at the dissolution of the spell-Gratitude for attentions and tuition.

BLINDNESS:

OR,

THE SECOND SENSE RESTORED AND LOST.

ᏢᎪᎡᎢ Ꮮ

WHEN black-wing'd CHAOS sat on regal throne
In solemn grandeur-silent and alone—

God said "LET THERE BE LIGHT!" and forth it shone."
The new-born spheres celestial anthems sung,
Electric to empyrean realms they sprung;
Rending the robes that wrapt primeval Night,
And filled the vaulted Firmament with light!

Fix'd in the sky, dense vapour roll'd away, And then the Sun exulting said—" "Tis Day!” The Moon and Stars, succeeding calm and bright, With virgin mildness whisper'd-" It is Night!" The Hills and Valleys, bursting at his nod,

Assumed their shapes, and own'd the power of God!

В

The Worlds, before unform'd, rejoiced in birth,
And one, in triumph utter'd-" I am Earth!"

How radiant was the youthful Sunbeam then,
Though yet unsmiled on by the
by the eyes of Men; b
With vivid and refulgent wings outspread

It fled afar-on ancient Gloom it cast

A fatal fiery ray-He died at last,

And round a wondrous world new lustre shed!

Thus Gloom resign'd a world, resign'd a throne,
That long had been the mystic Monarch's own!
Nor left one Heir on ocean or on earth,
Save those whose dark-soul'd passions often rise
On threat'ning clouds, when stars close their bright eyes,
And Winds career, like Maniacs in mirth!

Thus did the King of Day pursue in might

His glorious course, through realms, before unknown, Until he met the gentle Queen of Night,

And claim'd the heaven-born Daughter as his own! And though she sometimes veils from him her love, Conceals her vestal-looks, her silvery smile,

And to her azure palace far above

Retires, and leaves her retinue awhile;

Soon weary of her solitude, again

She journeys forth to join her beauteous train !

Now glory lit the lofty halls of Heaven,

And the round Earth lay rolling in the arms Of new-created Light, and thus were givenTo its young being—myriads of charms! While, on a cloud that skimm'd the viewless air, Bright Angels flash'd their sun-refracting wings, And ravish'd with a sight so wondrous fair,

Dropt music from their harps' celestial strings! And, as above the warm young World they stood, Swell'd out an holy Anthem to the praise Of Him, who rules in Righteousness always, As, in his Wisdom, He pronounced it—" GOOD!"

Eternal Spirit-ever bright !—

Too dazzling far for Angel-eyes!

How shall thy Host declare the might

With which thou rul'st the sacred skies?

How shall seraphic Souls proclaim

Thy Will omnipotent above?

Or take into their lips thy name,

And not be all-consumed with love!

Infinite and omniscient Lord!

Thy fiat can create a world;

The mountains tremble at thy word ·
The Seas are to their channels hurl'd
Thou strewest Heaven with orbs of light,—
For ever blissful, ever young;

And now hast drawn the veil from Night,

That round the ancient Monarch hung!

Thus Darkness, chased by Love and Light away,
No shelter finding, frown'd and fled the Day;
Sought the deep cavern, and the shadowy womb
Of mighty Ocean, then the hallow'd Tomb ;
But finding still no home perennial there,

Fled frantic onward; but at last, O God! Found the blanch'd Eye-ball, and in dire despair, Took up his sad, unchangeable abode !

His sad abode!' the Blind may well reply,

Know ye the gloom of the opacous Eye?

When shall I, like the Moon, come forth in might, To drink elysian draughts of holy light!