The Voice of the Mountains

List! while I tell what forms the mountain's voice!

—The storms are up; and from yon sable cloud

Down rush the rains; while 'mid the thunder loud

The viewless eagles in wild screams rejoice.

The echoes answer to the unearthly noise

Of hurling rocks, that, plunged into the Lake,

Send up a sullen groan: from clefts and caves,

As of half-murdered wretch, hark! yells awake,

Or red-eyed frenzy as in chains he raves.

These form the mountain's voice; these, heard at night,

Distant from human being's known abode,

To earth some spirits bow in cold affright,

But some they lift to glory and to God.