text:  As when the halls of Mirth are crowded Portentous on the wanton scene-- Some Fate before from wisdom shrouded Awakes and awes the souls of Men-- Before that Stranger from ANOTHER Behold how THIS world's great ones bow-- Mean joys their idle clamour smother The mask is vanish'd from the brow-- And from Truth's sudden solemn flag unfurl'd Fly all the craven Falsehoods of the World! So rapt from every care and folly When spreads abroad the lofty lay The Human kindles to the Holy And into Spirit soars the Clay! One with the Gods the Bard: before him All things unclean and earthly fly-- Hush'd are all meaner powers and o'er him The dark fate swoops unharming by; And while the Soother's magic measures flow Smooth'd every wrinkle on the brows of Woe! Even as a child that after pining For the sweet absent mother--hears Her voice--and round her neck entwining Young arms vents all his soul in tears;-- So by harsh custom far estranged Along the glad and guileless track To childhood's happy home unchanged The swift song wafts the wanderer back-- Snatch'd from the coldness of unloving Art To Nature's mother arms--to Nature's glowing heart! [8] Hermes