The sky was clear, the morn was gay In promise of a cloudless day Fresh flew the breeze, with whose light wing Aspen and oak were quivering From flowʼret dank it dashed the dew
The harebell bent its blossom blue, And from the Meuse the mistwreaths
1
grey That morning breeze had swept away Showing such scenes as well might seem The fairy vision of a dream
2
For changing still, and still as fair Rock, wave, and wood were mingled there Peak over peak, fantastic ever The lofty crags deep chasms sever. And grey and gaunt their lichened head
Rose sheerly from the rivers bed
3
Whose mantling wave in foamy sheet Their stern projecting bases beat, And lashed to fury in his pride In circling whirlpools swept the tide
As threatening, on some future day Those mighty rock
a
to tear away What though their front should seem to be A barrier, to eternity
4
And on its side the cliffs between
Were mazy forests ever seen That the tall cliffs steep flanks so grey Were clothed in mantle green and gay Long time along that dell so deep Beside the rivers bed we sweep
So steep the mighty crests inclined None other pathway you might find Till the tall cliffs gigantic grace To undulating hills gave place And vineyards clothe the bending brow