THE COMPLAINT OF THE GODDESS OF THE GLACIERS TO DOCTOR DARWIN. Helen Maria Williams Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Williams, Helen Maria, 1759-1827. Poems on various subjects: with introductory remarks on the present state of science and literature in France. London G. and W. B. Whittaker 1823 pp. [241]-244.

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THE COMPLAINT OF THE GODDESS OF THE GLACIERS TO DOCTOR DARWIN . Doctor Darwin , in his poem of The Botanic Garden , attributes the rise of the principal rivers which spring from the mountains , to the action of the higher temperature of the soil at the foot of the glaciers . According to him , every thing is subordinate to a central fire , hidden in the depths of the earth , and on which the great phenomena of those mountainous countries depend . The modest snow-mantled Goddess of the Glaciers , expressed her jealousy of his “ nymphs of primeval fire , ” in the following complaint . WHILE o'er the Alpine cliffs I musing stray'd , And gaz'd on nature , in her charms severe , The last soft beam of parting day display'd The Glacier-Goddess , on her crystal sphere . Her sledgy car , with sparkling frost-work bright , O'er the pellucid ice her snow-birds drew , And on her fleecy robe's refracted light The full-blown rose's vermeil colours threw . Slow as she graceful lifts her misty veil , Indignant griefs her mournful glance exprest , And thus , in falt'ring tones , the vestal pale Breath'd the deep sorrows of her beating breast : " Native of that green isle , where DARWIN waves His magic wand o'er nature's vernal reign , Her airy essence and her central caves , Her fires electric , and her nereid train : " Go , tell him , stranger , had his muse explor'd My realms , new marvels had enchain'd her eye ; Go , tell him , in my sunless fanes are stor'd Treasures no vulgar glance shall e'er descry . " Ye nymphs of fire ! around your glowing brows What lavish wreaths your poet loves to twine ; Know , partial bard ! philosophy allows That one bright chaplet might belong to mine ! " Ah , why a vestal to a ' fiend ' Botanic Garden , Canto I. v. 442. transform , Bid to my steeps thy glitt'ring bands repair , Direct with cruel aim their arrowy storm , And chain a goddess to the ' northern bear ? ' " Stay thy rash steps ! my potent hand impels The rushing avalanche to gulphs below ! I can transfix thee , numb'd , in icy cells , Or shroud thee in unfathom'd folds of snow ! " Come not in hostile garb ! — with softer art , With dearer power , my yielding spirit seize ; Wake thy rich lyre , and melt my gelid heart With incense sweeter than the western breeze . " Thy muse shall mount my Lammer-Geyer's wing , Pass o'er my untrod heights , with daring course , While the cold genii of each new-born spring For thee unlock the rivers' viewless source . " For thee my sylphs , with tender care , shall mark The pointless pathway of the secret rills , And light with lambent ray the caverns dark , Where chemic nature mystic wealth distils . " For thee my sylphs in distant lands shall trace , Where , far diffus'd , my vivifying powers Awake , ungrateful bard , in blushing grace , To life and love , awake thy wedded flowers . " For thee — but ah , my pensive form he flies For nymphs of golden locks and florid hue ! No charms have snow-white tints , or azure eyes — " She wept , and , folded in a cloud , withdrew .