My mansion is, where those immortal shapes Of bright aerial spirits live insphered In regions mild of calm and serene air, Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call Earth.

Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.

Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought Mosaic; underfoot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone Of costliest emblem: other creature here Beast, bird, insect, or worm durst enter none; Such was their awe of man.

So shall the world go on, To good malignant, to bad men benign, Under her own weight groaning.

Hope allows us to bid farewell to fear.

But oh! as to embrace me she inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.

Till old experience do attain To something like prophetic strain.