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THE BALLAD OF THE AERONAUT. 



Twas in the summer of ninety-eight 



The month it was July, 

 And the evening it was mild and bright 

 When I thought to take an upward llight, 



Through the regions of the sky. 



And a mighty throng together drew 



To wonder and to stare, 

 Who marvelled my balloon to view, 

 For then, the sight was strange and new, 



A journey through the air. 



The cords are cut and up we soar 



A stately show to see 

 Like the genie, whom in days of yore 

 The mariner found upon the shore, 



From his prison door set free. 



And soon the crowds which blackened earth, 



As emmets I could view, 

 And the sounds of music and of mirth, 

 And the loud huzzas they shouted forth, 



First faint then silent grew. 



Aloft, aloft, amid the sky, 



My silken chariot soars, 

 Till the isles of evening cloud are nigh 

 One moment we have hurried by 



Their dark and shadowy shores. 



Aloft, aloft, our course we hold 



Till chilled by a numbing spell, 

 The lids above my eyes would fold 

 And, reckless of all save the bitter cold, 



In a heavy trance I fell. 



Methought I was on the frozen sea, 



Of the farthest northern land, 

 Where the earth hath neither flower nor tree, 

 And the waves, up-heaped wondrously 



In chrystal ice walls stand. 



And forms unsightly to the eye, 



In the solid frost did frown, 

 Like the witches' troop in days gone by 

 Who were punished for their blasphemy, 



And stiffened into stone. 



For many a visage gaunt and grim, 



With freezing eyes, and bright, 

 And many a spare colossal limb 

 Was seen by that arctic twilight dim, 



A heart appalling sight ! 



And sternly all upon me frown'd 



While I shivered in my fear, 

 As they spoke in voice of deep, low sound, 

 " Have the sons of earth our dwelling found 



And come they to vex us here ?" 



