102 



Attentive, then, to this informing lay, 



Read how he dictates as he points the way. 



Trust not at first a quick advent' rous pace, 



Six miles its top points gradual from the base. 



Up the high rise with panting haste I pass'd, 



And gained the long laborious steep at last. 



More prudent thou, when once you pass the deep, 



With measured pace and slow ascend the lengthen' d steep ; 



Oft stay thy steps, oft take the cordial drop, 



And rest, rest ! long, long upon the top ; 



"Where hail the breezes, nor with toilsome haste 



Down the rough slope thy previous vigour waste. 



So shall thy wondering sight at once survey 



Vales, lakes, woods, mountains, islands, rocks, and sea ; 



Huge hills that, heap'd in crowded order, stand 



Stretch' d o'er the northern and the western land 



Vast lumpy groups ; while Ben, who often shrouds 



His loftier summit in a veil of clouds, 



High o'er the rest displays superior state, 



In proud pre-eminence sublimely great. 



One side, all awful to the gazing eye, 



Presents a steep three hundred fathoms high. 



The scene tremendous shocks the startled sense 



With all the pomp of dread magnificence. 



All these, and more, shalt thou transported see, 



And own a faithful monitor in me." 



How often have we reposed under some overhang- 

 ing rock on these streams in Dumbartonshire, and 

 surveyed with interested eye, and feeling of intense 

 pleasure, the sublime traits of nature phenomena 

 which fill the soul with astonishment and awe, and 

 inspire it at the same time with heavenly ecstacy ! 

 This is a work which belongs to the Deity alone to 

 execute. Here the mind of man rises in rapturous 



