Book 2 — A SUNSET[393:2]
Reading edition
A SUNSET[393:2]
Upon the mountain's edge with light touch resting, There a brief while the globe of splendour sits [394]And seems a creature of the earth; but soon More changeful than the Moon, To wane fantastic his great orb submits, 5 Or cone or mow of fire: till sinking slowly Even to a star at length he lessens wholly. Abrupt, as Spirits vanish, he is sunk! A soul-like breeze possesses all the wood. The boughs, the sprays have stood 10 As motionless as stands the ancient trunk! But every leaf through all the forest flutters, And deep the cavern of the fountain mutters.
1805.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
[
1
]
with light touch] all lightly MS.
[
4
]
the] this MS.
[
6
]
A distant Hiss of fire MS. alternative reading.
[
7
]
lessens] lessened MS.
[
12
]
flutters] fluttered MS.
[
13
]
mutters] muttered MS.