The Crystal Hunters. Thomas Moore (1779-1852). Introductory to Switzerland. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. Switzerland and Austria: Vol. XVI

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Switzerland and Austria: Vol. XVI. 1876–79.

Introductory to Switzerland

The Crystal Hunters

Thomas Moore (1779–1852)


O’ER mountains bright with snow and light,
We crystal hunters speed along,
While grots, and caves, and icy waves
Each, instant echo to our song;
And when we meet with stores of gems,	5
We grudge not kings their diadems.
O’er mountains bright, etc.

No lover half so fondly dreams
Of sparkles from his lady’s eyes,
As we of those refreshing gleams	10
That tell where deep the crystal lies;
Though, next to crystal, we too grant
That ladies’ eyes may most enchant.
O’er mountains bright, etc.

Sometimes, when o’er the Alpine rose	15
The golden sunset leaves its ray,
So like a gem the floweret glows,
We thither bend our headlong way;
And though we find no treasure there,
We bless the rose that shines so fair.	20
O’er mountains bright, etc.