When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.
Part of the cluster SONGS OF PARTING.
WHEN I HEARD THE LEARN'D ASTRONOMER.
WHEN I heard the learn'd astronomer; When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columnsbefore me; When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add,
divide, and measure them; When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lec-
tured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick; Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
Part of the cluster SONGS OF PARTING.