CASTLES IN THE AIR.
Reading edition
Autumn's sun was brightly blazing Like a suit of golden mail; Flocks along the mead were grazing; Lambkins frollicked through the vale. Brooklets gossipped o'er their beauty; Leaves came down in whisp'ring showers; And the vine-trees, lush and fruity, Climbed and clung in am'rous bowers:
Beauty—gladness— Floated round me everywhere; Still in sadness Built I castles in the air— In the soft and dreamy air.
Far above me, like a spirit, Rose an alp in proud array, And my heart so yearned to near it As I in the valley lay. Ah, thought I, yon summit seemeth Like a throne, so pure and bright; Lo! how grandly-great it gleameth, Crown'd with everlasting light!
Then I started From the valley calm and fair, Hopeful-hearted, Tow'rds the castle in the air— High up in the dreamy air.
Many a tortuous path and winding Rid my soul embattle through; Many a thorn of bitter finding Choked my way with perils new: Upward still, footsore and bleeding, On with lonesome heart I pressed; And I heard the chimes receding In the vale so calm and blest.
Still I wandered Up the pathway rough and drear, Till I pondered By the castle in the air— Like a spirit in the air.
I had reached the lofty glory; I had gained the alpine peak; Lowly lay the world before me— Yet my heart was like to break! Where I stood 'twas cold and dreary—- Crown'd with white and glistening snow: "Ah," I sighed, with heart a-weary— "Distance lent the golden glow!"
Thus Fame ever Woos men from earth's valleys fair, Oft to shiver Near life's castles in the air— In the far-off wintry air.