Inspiration on Britain's Topmost Summit

Read me a lesson, Muse, and speak it loud Upon the top of Nevis, blind in mist! I look into the chasms, and a shroud Vapourous doth hide them, -- just so much I wist Mankind do know of hell; I look o'erhead, And there is sullen mist, -- even so much Mankind can tell of heaven; mist is spread Before the earth, beneath me, -- even such, Even so vague is man's sight of himself! Here are the craggy stones beneath my feet,-- Thus much I know that, a poor witless elf, I tread on them, -- that all my eye doth meet Is mist and crag, not only on this height, But in the world of thought and mental might!

I ask for words, Parnassian! - said out loud on Scotia's topmost summit, blind in mist! I look into its chasms, which a shroud of vapour bars from sight; so much I wist mankind doth know of Tartarus; and this, upwards, is dismal mist - and that's how much mankind can know of paradisal bliss; downwards, mist rolls across this world: just such, so indistinct, is man's own mirror-study. On craggy rocks aloft my right foot stands -- This much I know, that, poor unwitting noddy, I am on rocks, -- and what my sight commands Is mist and crag, not only on this hill, But in our world of brains and thoughts and skill.