The Suppressed Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson — XLVI

What time I wasted youthful hours
One of the shining wingèd powers,
Show'd me vast cliffs with crown of towers,

As towards the gracious light I bow'd,
They seem'd high palaces and proud,
Hid now and then with sliding cloud.

He said, 'The labour is not small;
Yet winds the pathway free to all:—
Take care thou dost not fear to fall!'