At Fingal’s Cave + 

Not Aladdin magian + 

Ever such a work began; + 

Not the wizard of the Dee + 

Ever such a dream could see; + 

Not St. John, in Patmos’ isle, + 

In the passion of his toil, + 

When he saw the churches seven, + 

Golden aisled, built up in heaven, + 

Gazed at such a rugged wonder, + 

As I stood its roofing under. + 

Lo! I saw one sleeping there, + 

On the marble cold and bare; + 

While the surges wash’d his feet, + 

And his garments white did beat + 

Drench’d about the sombre rocks; + 

On his neck his well-grown locks, + 

Lifted dry above the main, + 

Were upon the curl again. + 

“What is this? and what art thou?” + 

Whisper’d I, and touch’d his brow; + 

“What art thou? and what is this?” + 

Whisper’d I, and strove to kiss + 

The spirit’s hand, to wake his eyes; + 

Up he started in a trice: + 

“I am Lycidas,” said he, + 

“Famed in funeral minstrelsy! + 

This was architectured thus + 

By the great Oceanus!⁠— + 

Here his mighty waters play + 

Hollow organs all the day; + 

Here, by turns, his dolphins all, + 

Finny palmers, great and small, + 

Come to pay devotion due,⁠— + 

Each a mouth of pearls must strew! + 

Many a mortal of these days + 

Dares to pass our sacred ways; + 

Dares to touch, audaciously, + 

This cathedral of the sea! + 

I have been the pontiff-priest, + 

Where the waters never rest, + 

Where a fledgy sea-bird choir + 

Soars for ever! Holy fire + 

I have hid from mortal man; + 

Proteus is my Sacristan! + 

But the dulled eye of mortal + 

Hath pass’d beyond the rocky portal; + 

So for ever will I leave + 

Such a taint, and soon unweave + 

All the magic of the place.” + 

So saying, with a Spirit’s glance + 

He dived! + 