Now homeward through the thickening hubbub, where
  See, among less distinguishable shapes,
  The begging scavenger, with hat in hand;
  The Italian, as he thrids his way with care,
  Steadying, far-seen, a frame of images 215
  Upon his head; with basket at his breast
  The Jew; the stately and slow-moving Turk,
  With freight of slippers piled beneath his arm!

    Enough;—­the mighty concourse I surveyed
  With no unthinking mind, well pleased to note 220
  Among the crowd all specimens of man,
  Through all the colours which the sun bestows,
  And every character of form and face: 
  The Swede, the Russian; from the genial south,
  The Frenchman and the Spaniard; from remote 225
  America, the Hunter-Indian; Moors,
  Malays, Lascars, the Tartar, the Chinese,
  And Negro Ladies in white muslin gowns.

    At leisure, then, I viewed, from day to day,
  The spectacles within doors,—­birds and beasts 230
  Of every nature, and strange plants convened
  From every clime; and, next, those sights that ape
  The absolute presence of reality,
  Expressing, as in mirror, sea and land,
  And what earth is, and what she has to shew. 235
  I do not here allude to subtlest craft,
  By means refined attaining purest ends,
  But imitations, fondly made in plain
  Confession of man’s weakness and his loves. 
  Whether the Painter, whose ambitious skill 240
  Submits to nothing less than taking in
  A whole horizon’s circuit, do with power,
  Like that of angels or commissioned spirits,
  Fix us upon some lofty pinnacle,
  Or in a ship on waters, with a world 245
  Of life, and life-like mockery beneath,
  Above, behind, far stretching and before;
  Or more mechanic artist represent
  By scale exact, in model, wood or clay,
  From blended colours also borrowing help, 250
  Some miniature of famous spots or things,—­
  St. Peter’s Church; or, more aspiring aim,
  In microscopic vision, Rome herself;
  Or, haply, some choice rural haunt,—­the Falls
  Of Tivoli; and, high upon that steep, 255
  The Sibyl’s mouldering Temple! every tree,
  Villa, or cottage, lurking among rocks
  Throughout the landscape; tuft, stone scratch minute—­
  All that the traveller sees when he is there.

    Add to these exhibitions, mute and still, 260
  Others of wider scope, where living men,
  Music, and shifting pantomimic scenes,
  Diversified the allurement.  Need I fear
  To mention by its name, as in degree,
  Lowest of these and humblest in attempt, 265
  Yet richly graced with honours of her