SONNET IV.
Reading edition
THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAINS.
List! while I tell what forms the mountain's voice! —The storms are up; and from you sable cloud Down rush the rains; while 'mid the thunder loud The viewless eagles in wild screams rejoice. The echoes answer to the unearthly noise Of hurling rocks, that, plunged into the Lake, Send up a sullen groan: from clefts and caves, As of half-murder'd wretch, hark! yells awake, Or red-eyed phrensy as in chains he raves. These form the mountain's voice; these, heard at night, Distant from human being's known abode, To earth some spirits bow in cold affright, But some they lift to glory and to God.