THE PHANTOM LAND. 553 



" And when the ray divine at last goes out, 

 At once the passions burst into a flame ; 

 Fancy no longer soars on wings devout. 

 And Reason leaves behind each noble aim ; 

 While heaven-taught principles are tossed about 

 Like tangled sea- weeds on the waves of doubt, 

 And Vice stands forth and glories in her shame. 



" He who to mark mankind roams to and fro, 

 May see some blessed above the common lot, 

 Who seem exempt from every care below, 

 And all the luxuries of life have got, 

 And yet are miserable, because they know 

 That they are rich, and full, and overflow, 

 And therefore should be happy but are not. 



" O beautiful, beyond Night's gentle bride 

 O pleasing, beyond aught the eye can find, 

 When affluence, and rank, and influence wide, 

 And the gigantic energies of mind, 

 With high and holy fervour are applied 

 To one grand object let what will betide 

 And that one object is to serve mankind ! 



" Thou hast seen much, my son, of this dim place, 

 And of these mournful beings wandering here, 

 The darksome refuge of the human race j 

 Say, art thou satisfied ? the coast is near, 

 Where we may re-embark." I bowed my face, 

 And answered, " Further yet I fain would trace 

 This lower world, before from hence we steer." 



K. V. W. 



