I sometimes muse, when my adventurous gaze

Has roamed the starry arches of the night,

That were I dowered with strong angelic sight,

All would look changed in those pale heavenly ways.

What wheeling worlds my vision would amaze!

What chasms of gloom would thrill me and affright!

What rhythmic equipoise would rouse delight!

What moons would beam on me, what suns would blaze!

Then through my awed soul sweeps the larger thought

Of how creation's edict may have set

Vast human multitudes on those far spheres

With towering passions to which mine mean naught,

With majesties of happiness, or yet

With agonies of unconjectured tears!


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