Sonnet LXXXIX Subject Continued
Yon late but gleaming Moon, in hoary light
Shines out unveil’d, and on the cloud’s dark fleece
Rests;—but her strengthen’d beams appear to increase
The wild disorder of this troubled Night.
Redoubling Echos seem yet more to excite
The roaring Winds and Waters!—Ah! why cease
Resolves, that promis’d everlasting peace,
And drew my steps to this incumbent height?
I wish!—I shudder!—stretch my longing arms
O’er the steep cliff!—My swelling spirits brave
The leap, that quiets all these dire alarms,
And floats me tossing on the stormy wave!
But Oh! what roots my feet?—what spells, what charms
The daring purpose of my Soul enslave?