Italy : 3. St. Maurice

Still by the Leman Lake for many a mile, Among those venerable trees I went, Where damsels sit and weave their fishing-nets, Singing some national song by the way-side. But now the fly was gone, the gnat was come; Now glimmering lights from cottage-windows broke. 'Twas dusk; and, journeying upward by the Rhone, That there came down, a torrent from the Alps, I entered where a key unlocks a kingdom; The road and river, as they wind along, Filling the mountain-pass. There, till a ray Glanced thro' my lattice, and the household-stir Warned me to rise, to rise and to depart, A stir unusual, and accompanied With many a tuning of rude instruments, And many a laugh that argued coming pleasure, Mine host's fair daughter for the nuptial rite And nuptial feast attiring -- there I slept, And in my dreams wandered once more, well-pleased, But now a charm was on the rocks and woods And waters; for methought, I was with those I had at morn and even wished were there.