MEMORIALS OF A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT, 1820
XI. ON APPROACHING THE STAUB-BACH, LAUTERBRUNNEN
MEMORIALS OF A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT, 1820
UTTERED by whom, or how inspired–designed For what strange service, does this concert reach Our ears, and near the dwellings of mankind! ‘Mid fields familiarized to human speech?– No Mermaid’s warble–to allay the wind Driving some vessel toward a dangerous beach– More thrilling melodies; Witch answering Witch, To chant a love-spell, never intertwined Notes shrill and wild with art more musical: Alas! that from the lips of abject Want 10 Or Idleness in tatters mendicant The strain should flow–free Fancy to enthral, And with regret and useless pity haunt This bold, this bright, this sky-born, WATERFALL!