' ' FA THER E VEREST." 357 



Upon its brow, and on its bosom bare, 

 A dazzling breast-plate of snow-jewels, formed 

 From dews and rains that feed the trees and flowers, 

 And all the fair luxuriance below ; 

 Appearing thus before High Heaven, in room 

 Of the great world that clings unto its skirts 

 A sacrifice of white and silent death 

 That Heaven's rich blessings may descend to earth, 

 And burning plains be green with varied life. 

 What earth-throes vast, what ages fierce of storm, 

 Have perfected that mediatorial form ; 

 Sculptured its attitude sublime of prayer, 

 Against the stillness of the azure air ; 

 And calmed it to a patience infinite ! 

 Youngest of peaks ! * earth's last consummate work ; 

 Raised to that height supreme, above the hills 

 That stood there with the stars when time began ; 

 Above the wreck of seas and shores forgot. 

 The oft-attempted task to scale the heavens, 

 And reach the gods, accomplished in the end, 

 Not by defiance, but by humble prayer ! 



* The highest mountains of the world are the most recent, 

 having been produced by geological causes of comparatively late 

 occurrence. 



