THE PHANTOM LAND. 287 



Shades or embodied shapes whate'er their name 



I gazed upon them with respectful awe, 



Much wondering who they were, and whence they came, 



And what the rank they held. I also saw 



My guide's sole notice they appeared to claim, 



While holy agitation shook his frame. 



A long, deep sigh I mark'd him softly draw. 



" They once/' said he, " were happy angels ! They 



Were my companions once in realms of light; 



Their pinions glittered in the golden day, 



And heaven's wide field was open to their flight ; 



Together we were wont our harps to play, 



And chaunt the holy beatific lay 



Around the throne in robes of dazzling white. 



" Heavenly discourse on heavenly themes we held, 



Enjoyed the fellowship of souls in bliss ; 



And, when the trumpet of th' archangel swelled, 



Met in the courts, and greeted with a kiss. 



But on the heights of glory they rebelled, 



And therefore were cast out, driven forth, expelled, 



And hunted hither through the black abyss. 



" They know me, for the memory of things 



Over and gone they bitterly retain ; 



And gone-by pleasure has a thousand stings 



When hopelessly compared with present pain. 



See how they shun me ! Shame each bosom wrings ; 



No joy, no solace, recognition brings ; 



They strive to cloak their anguish with disdain." 



His voice sank till it ceased : and still I gazed 

 With deepening wonder on those phantoms tall. 

 I watched them pass aloof: my soul was raised 

 I thought of their past glory, and their fall, 

 Thought till the tears ran down. I saw one crazed 

 A kindled frenzy from his eyeballs blazed, 

 The pyre of reason dead, and past recal. 



