The hills move lightly, and the mountains smoke, For he has touched them. From th' extremest point Of elevation down into th' abyss His wrath is busy, and his frown is felt. The rocks fall headlong, and the vallies rise, The rivers die into offensive pools, And, charged with putrid verdure, breathe a gross And mortal nuisance into all the air. What solid was, by transformation strange, Ocean has caught the frenzy, and, upwrought To an enormous and o'erbearing height, Not by a mighty wind, but by that voice, Which winds and waves obey, invades the shore Resistless. Never such a sudden flood, Upridged so high, and sent on such a charge, Possessed an inland scene. Where now the throng, That pressed the beach, and, hasty to depart, Looked to the sea for safety? They are gone, Gone with the refluent wave into the deepA prince with half his people! Ancient towers, And roofs embattled high, the gloomy scenes, Where beauty oft and lettered worth con sume Life in the unproductive shades of death, |