TABLE MOUNTAIN.

[ZaunköniG]

TABLE MOUNTAIN.

Great Table Mountain, which I daily scan
With still increasing joy, this morn was framed
In a low rainbow Phœbus rightly aimed
Just to include the outline in its span.

And surely never since the world began
Was Nature's ruggedness more sweetly tamed.
Yet through my heart a sudden terror flamed;
Heaven's smile more dread inspires than earthly ban.

Such is the alchemy of sun and rain:
Touching earth's choicest dream of loveliness,
It turned life's daily pleasure into awe.

And, pray, what meant it? Nay, I cannot guess:
But all that is within me,—soul, heart, brain,—
Was dumbly glorified by what I saw.