Skip to content
1788–1865

THE SPIRIT AND THE MOUNTAIN.

Hannah Flagg Gould

Mountain, with thy firm old foot Fast beside the sea, What was in thy keeping put, Prisoned under thee?

“Hark, and hear the shuddering ground! Feel it rock and quake! Struggling fires, beneath me bound, Strive their chains to break.”

Mountain, with a cloudy vest Girded o'er thy heart, Does it pierce thine aged breast, When its lightnings dart?

“No:— beneath me far, the crash Of the bolt is felt: Here, the fiery chain and flash But adorn my belt.”

Mountain, with a snowy crown Stainless on thy brow, Wilt thou never cast it down — Never, never bow?

“When the mandate I shall hear From my Maker's throne, I will bow and disappear, Hence to be unknown.”

Mountain, holding proud and high Thine old hoary head, What is written on the sky, Thou so long hast read?

“Brighter than the stars and sun Shining over me, I behold the name of ONE Thou must die to see!”

Mountain, bold thine eloquence — Glowing is thy speech; Mighty import flashes thence; What is it to teach?

“Thoughts of Him, before whose breath I shall melt away; While of thee, soul — spirit, death Ne'er shall quench a ray!”

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.