From "The Monk of Athos"
- 1Beside the confines of the Ægean main,
- 2Where northward Macedonia bounds the flood,
- 3And views opposed the Asiatic plain,
- 4Where once the pride of lofty Ilion stood,
- 5Like the great Father of the giant brood,
- 6With lowering port majestic Athos stands,
- 7Crowned with the verdure of eternal wood,
- 8As yet unspoiled by sacrilegious hands,
- 9And throws his mighty shade o'er seas and distant lands.
- 10And deep embosomed in his shady groves
- 11Full many a convent rears its glittering spire,
- 12Mid scenes where Heavenly Contemplation
loves
- 13To kindle in her soul her
hallowed fire,
- 14Where air and sea with rocks and woods conspire
- 15To breathe a sweet religious calm around,
- 16Weaning the thoughts from every low desire,
- 17And the wild waves that break with murmuring sound
- 18Along the rocky shore proclaim it holy ground.
- 19Sequestered shades where Piety has given
- 20A quiet refuge from each earthly care,
- 21Whence the rapt spirit may ascend to Heaven!
- 22Oh, ye condemned the ills of life to bear!
- 23As with advancing age your woes increase,
- 24What bliss amidst these solitudes to share
- 25The happy foretaste of eternal Peace,
- 26Till Heaven in mercy bids your pain and sorrows cease.
