LONG on the deep the mists of morning lay, When one and all of us, repentant, ran, 66 Glory to God!" unnumbered voices sung, "Glory to God!" the vales and mountains rung, Voices that hailed Creation's primal morn, And to the shepherds sung a Saviour born. Slowly, bare-headed, thro' the surf we bore The sacred cross, and, kneeling, kissed the shore. But what a scene was there? Nymphs of romance, Youths graceful as the Faun, with eager glance, Spring from the glades, and down the alleys peep, Then head-long rush, bounding from steep to steep, And clap their hands, exclaiming as they run, "Come and behold the Children of the Sun!" When hark, a signal-shot! The voice, it came Over the sea in darkness and in flame! They saw, they heard; and up the highest hill, As in a picture, all at once were still! Creatures so fair, in garments strangely wrought, From citadels, with Heaven's own thunder fraught, Checked their light footsteps-statue-like they stood, As worshipped forms, the Genii of the Wood! At length the spell dissolves! The warrior's lance Rings on the tortoise with wild dissonance! And see, the regal plumes, the couch of state! Still, where it moves, the wise in council wait! See now borne forth the monstrous mask of gold, These now exchanged for gifts that thrice surpass That now with terror starts, with triumph glows! |