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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES* 
observe the beautiful phenomenon occasioned by 
the reflection of the volcanic fire, and the more 
magnificent spectacle presented by the multitude 
and brilliancy of the heavenly bodies. The sea 
son was solemn and delightful, for it was 
u Now the hour 
When contemplation, from her sunless haunts 
Moves forward, and with radiant finger points 
To yon blue concave, swell’d by breath divine, 
Where one by one the living eyes of heaven 
Awake, quick kindling o’er the face of aether 
One boundless blaze; ten thousand trembling fires 
And dancing lustres, where the unsteady eye, 
Restless and dazzled, wanders unconfin'd 
O’er all this field of glories—spacious field, 
And worthy of the Maker! 
. . . ..... From what pure wells 
Of milky light, what soft o’erflowing urn, 
Are all these lamps so fill’d ? These friendly lamps 
For ever streaming o’er the azure deep, 
To point our path, and light us to our home. 
How soft they slide among their lucid spheres ! 
How deep the silence, yet how loud the praise l 
But are they silent all ? or is there not 
A tongue in every star, that talks with man, 
And woos him to be wise ? nor woos in vain. 
At this still hour, the self-collected soul 
Turns inward, and beholds a stranger there 
Of high descent, and more than mortal rank. 
.A spark of fire divine, 
Which must burn on for ages, when the sun 
(Fair transitory creature of a day) 
Has closed his golden eye, and, wrapt in shades, 
Forgets his wonted journey through the east,” 
