ft.ssilii 
 
 ^fiil'^ 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PR 478S.H65J9 1857 
 
 The judgement of the flood. 
 
 3 1924 013 482 231 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013482231 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OF THE FLOOD. 
 
 a ^om. 
 
 A NEW EDITION; REVISED, AM) KE-ARHAXe.::!). 
 
THE JUDGEMENT 
 
 THE FLOOD. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN A. HERAUD. 
 
 When the unrighteous went away from Wisdom in his anger, he perished also in 
 the fury wherewith he murdered hia brother. For whose cause the earth being 
 drowned with the flood, Wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the 
 righteous in a piece of wood of small value. 
 
 Wisdom of Solomon. 
 
 ^ Neto (SBUitioit. 
 
 REVISED, AND RE-ARRANGED. 
 
 LONDON: 
 DAVID BOGDE, 86, ELEET STEEET. 
 
 MDCCCLVII. 
 
WILLIAM STEVENS, PRINTER, 37, iil.l.L VABD, 
 Xl^MPLE BAK. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 This Edition differs from the first, in a better Arrange- 
 ment of the materials — in the Introduction of new 
 Descriptions and Episodes— in a thorough Revision of 
 the text — in a needful Enlargement of " the Book of 
 Enoch" — and in the Division of the whole poem into 
 Four Parts instead of Two. These amendments, more- 
 over, include the Mythos of a Political Truth, which 
 hitherto has been corroborated by historical facts, but 
 to which an exception appeared of probable occurrence 
 at the period when the work was first published. 
 Events subsequently confirmed the principle; where- 
 fore the Author felt bound to fulfil his original design, 
 by giving its type and symbol in the person of Sa;miasa, 
 whose character wiU now consequently be found to 
 have received fuller developement. 
 
 The poem having been by these means materially 
 enlarged and essentially re-organized, the judicious 
 
Ill PEEFACE. 
 
 reader is requested to peruse the present re-issue 
 thoroughly — just as if the production were now, for 
 the first time, presented to his notice. In regard to 
 the professional critic, this premonition is an obvious 
 and absolute necessity : nor may it be inutile to state, 
 that the composition and revision of the work, in 
 this its idtimate form, represent some thirty years 
 of continued, though not' continuous, intellectual at- 
 tention. 
 
ORIGINAL PREFACE. 
 
 This Poem is undedicated, save to the service of the 
 Deity. So highly the Author esteems the Epopeia, as 
 the sublimest effort and illustration of human genius, 
 whose flame "from Heaven descends/' that, in his 
 sense, to offer it at any shrine less than the Sovran 
 Reason's, were positive impiety. So excellent a sacri- 
 fice is not for the creature. The four great Epics ac- 
 knowledged by the world are uninscribed. Homer com- 
 posed his poem for Greece ; and its moral is so directly 
 addressed to his country, that no set terms are required 
 to explain the patriotic motives of the blind old man of 
 Scyos. Virgil, though, in his Georgics, he compli- 
 mented Augustus with divinity, and seated him 
 
 Qua locus Erigonen inter, Chelasque sequentes 
 Panditur 
 
 and thence solemnly invoked him, with the gods, to 
 bring- the needful succour to his numbers; yet, when 
 his mind collected all its energies, and demonstrated in 
 the j^neid its majesty of thought, he depended only 
 on his muse, and was sufficient to himself. Milton, 
 who dared " the adventurous song, that soared with no 
 
X OEIGHXAL PEEFACE. 
 
 middle flight above the Aonian Mount/' sought the 
 Spirit that doth 
 
 Prefer 
 Before all temples the upright heart and pure. 
 
 He had faith in that celestial influence and illumina- 
 tion, and disregarded human aid. Klopstock sang 
 the Messiah : the subject invested the poet with such 
 supernal dignity, that he looked down on all distinc- 
 tions ; there was none who might demand his homage. 
 The poems of Dante and Tasso are not cited, being 
 allegories rather than epics. 
 
 It would not be prudent to conceal, that the Bpopeia 
 always meets, and, from its nature, must expect to 
 meet, with slow encouragement. Few are the minds 
 capable of appreciating an endeavour so difficult, yet 
 laudable ; still fewer of tastes sufficiently cultivated to 
 estimate accurately the merits of a work so extensive, 
 and a theme so exalted. It may be feared, that if an 
 Epos, sublimer than any yet produced, were submitted 
 to public ordeal, it would not, without difficulty, find 
 readers. Such a poem is of lofty pretensions, and is 
 approached with diffidence. This cause, as much as 
 the circumstances of the times, occasioned the " Para- 
 dise Lost" to make its way but gradually though cer- 
 tainly. Moreover, in this and in every age, composi- 
 tions " raised from the heat of youth, or the vapours of 
 wine, like that which flows at waste from the pen of 
 some vulgar amourist, or the trencher fury of a rhym- 
 ing parasite," have more chance of instant and general 
 sale, than a " work obtained, not by the invocation of 
 
ORIGINAL PEEFACE. XI 
 
 Dame Memory and her siren daughters, but by devout 
 prayer to that Eternal Spirit, who can enrich with all 
 utterance and knowledge, and sends out his seraphim, 
 with the haDowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify 
 the lips of whom he pleases." 
 
 It must, nevertheless, be granted, that a Sacred Poem, 
 especially if it be also Epic, is an attempt only to be 
 justified by its successful execution. Milton and Klop- 
 stock thus justified the attempt. Between the events 
 to which the "Paradise Lost" and the "Messiah" re- 
 fer, the occurrence of the UNIVEESAL DELUGE is 
 that which would next excite the emulation of an ambi- 
 tious poet. Bodmer, however, and some of meaner 
 note, have failed in their daring efibrts to compass that 
 high argument ; and, unless encouraged by the highest 
 literary authorities, the Author of the present Poem 
 would probably have trembled to proceed with another. 
 
 In considering the period of the World before the 
 Flood, we cannot fail of being impressed with the 
 mysterious declaration of Scripture, that "there were 
 giants in the earth in those days, mighty men, which 
 were of old, men of renown ; " nor less with the won- 
 derful longevity of the patriarchal race. It is impossi- 
 ble but that men, enjoying such advantages of physical 
 energy and duration of life, must have made the most 
 astonishing advances in art and science ; and, accord- 
 ingly, it would appear from the literature of all nations, 
 that the most useful inventions (Letters, themselves, 
 for instance,) were discovered at a time of which no 
 records remain, and probably were of the things that 
 
Xll OEIGIKAL PEEFACB. 
 
 survived the Flood. Such a view opens the most ma- 
 jestic vistas of contemplation to the poet, and renders 
 his subject of the grandest description. Everything in 
 a poem, adopting such an argument would assume a 
 form magnified by the distance of ages, and would 
 endow its characters and manners with that dignity, as 
 of gods and demi-gods, which invests with a super- 
 natural, and, at the same time, a strictly human in- 
 terestj the persons of Grecian poetry. 
 
 So much it is deemed necessary to state of the spirit 
 and contents of the following Poem^ in which all is pur- 
 posely gigantic — the plot — the persons — the crimes — 
 the language, and the imagery. After the perusal of 
 such a work, if adequately executed, one ought to feel 
 as if just emerged from an apparently illimitable cathe- 
 dral, cut out by the hand of nature in the recesses of 
 an alpine region, equally remarkable for loftiness of 
 elevation and extent of area. 
 
 Many of the names of persons and places, referred to 
 in the poem, are derived from Dr. Laurence's Trans- 
 lation of the apocryphal Book of Enoch ; nor are allu- 
 sions to passages in that extraordinary production in- 
 frequent. Samiasa, Azaziel, Zateel, Edna, Rumel, 
 Barkayal, Amazarah, Dudael, Armon, and Dunbadan, 
 are of this class. The Erythrean Sea occurs as a gross 
 anachronism in the pseudo-prophecy — in the poem this 
 defect is remedied by the explanation given at the close 
 of the Second Section of the Fifth Book. 
 
 According to the rules of the Epic, the developement 
 of the subject stops short of the final catastrophe — an 
 
OBIGINAI, PEBrACE. XUl 
 
 incident, like that of the Fall of Troy, fitter for an 
 episode than an expletion. " The Iliad," says A. W. 
 Sehlegel, " is not definitively closed, but we are left to 
 suppose something both to precede and to follow. — As 
 in the bas-relief the figures are not properly grouped, 
 but produced one after another, so the Homeric heroes 
 advance singly and in succession. The bas-relief, like- 
 wise, is boundless, and may be continued ad infinitum, 
 either from before or behind, on which account the 
 antients preferred the selection of those objects for it 
 which admitted of an indefinite extension — as the trains 
 at sacrifices, dances, and rows of combatants. Hence 
 they also exhibited bas-reliefs on round surfaces, such 
 as vases, or the frieze of a rotunda, where the two ends 
 are withdrawn from our sight by the curvature, and 
 where, on our advancing, one object appears as another 
 disappears. The reading of the Homeric poetry very 
 much resembles such a circumgiration, as the present 
 object only arrests our attention, while that which pre- 
 cedes and follows is allowed to escape from view.'' 
 
 Intended to present a Mythos of Existence, the me- 
 thod adopted in the poem now commended to the 
 reader's judgement, is that of a Circle returning into 
 itself. It will also be found, in harmony with the 
 same design, to commence and terminate in Vision, 
 
 "We are such Stuff 
 As Dreams are made of, and our Ettle Life 
 Is rounded with a Sleep. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CeITICAI. OPINIOIfS ON THE FlEST EbITION . . . xlx 
 
 The Eet. J. W. Lester's Ceiticism on the Poem . . xxi 
 Ode on hatinq completed the Retision op the Poem, 5th 
 
 July, 1852 . .3 
 
 PAET I.— LAMECH. 
 BOOK I. 
 
 THE LAND OP EDEN. 
 
 I, Noah, and his Sons 11 
 
 II. Elihu, and Sodi 21 
 
 III. Sons of Noah 28 
 
 IV. Valeof Armon 38 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 THE EAOE OP CAIN. 
 
 I. TheCity ofEnos 45 
 
 11. The Shield of Lamech 49 
 
 III. The Prediction 56 
 
 IV. Samiasa, and Palal ■ 67 
 
IVl CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 LAMEOH, AKD ELIHU. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. The Massacre 78 
 
 II. Lamech's Lamentation ...■••■ °° 
 
 III. Lamech's Resignation 92 
 
 IV. Lamech's Death 98 
 
 PART II.— ELIHU. 
 BOOK IV, 
 
 SICWS, JLND WOITDEES. 
 
 I. The Incarnate 109 
 
 II. Burial of Lamech 116 
 
 III. The Blind Prophet 122 
 
 IV. Signs of the Seasons 130 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 THE CHILDEEN OB ABEL. 
 
 I. Junia, and Nain 138 
 
 II. Michael, and Azaziel 142 
 
 III. The First Bain 149 
 
 IV. Vale of Adam 155 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 THE PBEPAEATIOS. 
 
 I. Vale of Abel 163 
 
 II. Animals 169 
 
 III. Edna, and Azaradel 175 
 
 IV. Ham, and Elihn 183 
 
CONTEKXS. XVU 
 
 PATIT III.— SAMIASA. 
 BOOK Yll. 
 
 THE PBEACHlira OP NOAH. 
 
 PA6B 
 
 I. The Tomb of Adam 198 
 
 II. The Sacrifice 2C3 
 
 III. Zateel, and Samiasa 208 
 
 IV. Eumel 213 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
 THE BOOK 01' ENOCH. 
 
 I. The Symbols ... 219 
 
 n. The Tablet 228 
 
 III. Death, and Obseqmes of Adam 239 
 
 IV. Translation of Enoch 248 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 THE PirSAMlS. 
 
 I. The City 259 
 
 II. Adon, and Amazarah 264 
 
 III. Pounding of the City 269 
 
 IV. The Sanctuary . 275 
 
 PAET IV.— NOAH. 
 BOOK X. 
 
 MEIET7SELAH. 
 
 I. Samiasa, and Bavkayal 285 
 
 II. Hherem, and Amazarah 291 
 
 III. Japhefs Vision 295 
 
 IV. Mount of Paradise 300 
 
 h 
 
XVIU CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK XI. 
 
 DTJDAEl. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. Noah Eejected 308 
 
 11. The Angels . .316 
 
 III. Phanuel, and Samiasa 320 ' 
 
 IV. Satan, and Azaziel . . 325 
 
 BOOK XII. 
 
 THE JtTDGBMBNT. 
 
 I. Azaradel .333 
 
 II. The Ark 340 
 
 III. Noah's Vision 356 
 
 IV. The Cherubim 366 
 
 PALINODE ON COMPLETINa THE PRINTING OF THE 
 
 PRESENT EDITION, 1856 374 
 
CRITICAL OPINIONS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 FIEST EDITION OF THIS WOEK, 1834. 
 
 " A vigorous and an able production- 
 he BulQect is well adapted to develope the 
 haracteristics of the author's powers- 
 he time of action aSbrds scope to a fancy 
 rhich delights in the vast, the sublime, 
 he terrible. The substratum of the fable, 
 peaking technically, iathe Mosaic account 
 f the Deluge; but Mr. Heraud has not 
 Einy more than Milton) refrained iVom 
 ther than scriptural sources ; he has ac- 
 umulated materials out of the stores of 
 lis own invention, aided by the apocry- 
 ihal Book of Enochs and by modern bib- 
 ioal writings. The measure is the Mil- 
 onic blank yerse, which the author has 
 mitated with skill and success."— TVmes. 
 
 "Such extensive learning, powerful rea- 
 oning, divine philosophy, eloquent lan- 
 [uage. and splendid conceptions are sel- 
 lom seen united. In everj^ page we have 
 bund something to admire— in almost 
 very sentence discovered some grand idea. 
 ^e have read it thoughtfully and with in- 
 reasing Ratification ; an d we do not know 
 I production of modern times so likely to 
 ;ive to other nations a high opinion or our 
 lational poetry as The Judgement of the 
 ^lood."—Morm.ng Post. 
 
 "Mr. Heraud is a bold, and, with equal 
 iistice we may say, no ordinary man : he 
 las grasped a subject of transcendent 
 riajesty, wonder, and sublimity ; he has 
 reated it in a manner that stamps him 
 irith the name of poet, and his production 
 irith that of an epic poem— an epic poem 
 hat we believe sincerely is destined for 
 losterity. The language is forcibly ner- 
 ous, eloquent, chaste, lightj or solemn, 
 ls the nature of the sutyect requires. We 
 aay perhaps now and then find occasion 
 lament the introduction of words and 
 ihrases which seem unworthy of their 
 ompanions— 
 
 * So mid the horses of the sun* 
 There one was found of earthly race.* 
 
 }ut, on the whole, it is full of classic 
 leauty, and has received a high polish 
 vithout losing any of its strength. We 
 efrain from ^ving extracts, but there are 
 lassages that would not disgrace ' Fara- 
 tise Lost,* particularly the one which 
 peaks of 
 
 • The Eternal Book, wherein 
 
 Poets, historians, proi)hets, registered 
 The word of the Omnipotent.' 
 
 And also that relating to the ' Signs of the 
 Seasons.' We are conscious of having 
 spoken very liighly of this work— we be- 
 heve the reader will own we have done so 
 with justice."— (StMJK/oy Tivies. 
 
 " A real epic poem is a phenomenon cal- 
 culated to make illustrious the age which 
 has the honour of producing it. we say a 
 real epic poem, because numerous are the 
 attempts and have been; but the world 
 has not yet seen a genuine work of the 
 kind since the Paradise Lost of Milton . It 
 seems, however, to be allowed by all com- 
 petent judges that the production of Mr. 
 Heraud is a poem entitled to the character 
 of the epopeia. As such, therefore, we 
 have set ourselves to the task of its pe- 
 rns^, and feel no disinclination to allow 
 its claims, but, on the contrary, are im- 
 pelled by a sense of justice to confess its 
 merits and promote its success. Two attri- 
 butes particularly characterize the ante- 
 diluvian world— the gigantic and the mi- 
 raculous. The former is set forth by Mr. 
 Heraud in the character of Samiasa. The 
 enthusiast founder of an idolatrous reli- 
 gion, in which he was himself the object 
 of adoration, his history is that of the 
 church of his time ; and in the doom of 
 Nebuchadnezzar, which falls upon him, 
 and in his subsequent conversion, we see 
 embodied the spirit of the Beformation, 
 which, however, from the circumstances 
 of the age, beginning in iconoclusm, ends 
 in irrdigion. Such is the consequent state 
 and condition of the world, that Divine 
 interposition is necessary; and the ideal of 
 this mterposifion is incarnated in the cha- 
 racter otElihu, the second heroic person 
 of the poem. His care is to preserve arem- 
 nant of faithful people, in the person of 
 Noah and his family, by whom the divine 
 truth shall be preserved and perpetuated, 
 as it is in the structure and fortunes of the 
 Ark, which survived the Judgement of tfte 
 Flood. In these few words it strikes us 
 that we have described the economy of the 
 
 Eoem better than it has yet been exhi- 
 ited, and given the reader a clue by which 
 its dififerent portions will become more in- 
 telligible as be proceeds in the perusal of 
 this magnificent work. In conclusion, we 
 can only add that the voluminous descrip- 
 tion given of the animal creation, as col- 
 lected for the purpose of being deposited 
 in the Ark, is a complete naturalist's 11- 
 
XX 
 
 CEITICAL OPINIOKS ON THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 brary in vigorous and picturesque verse." 
 —Brighton Herald. 
 
 " There are various kinds as well as de- 
 grees of moral and physical heroism, and 
 we think there are few instances where 
 the former can be more apparent than in 
 the fact of a man of genius and learning 
 devoting himself to the composition of an 
 epic i3oem upon a great design, with a full 
 consciousness of the neglect he will exjje- 
 rience from nearly all his contemporaries 
 and from the public at large, probably 
 during the date of his life and far beyond, 
 lie devotes his whole soul to the fature, 
 with a patient resignation to the decree of 
 posterity ; he disregards the influence of 
 his time and all its conventions, and, with 
 a lofty faith in the eternity of a true in- 
 spiration, lives, works, and dies full of hope 
 and the might of a serene consciousness of 
 pure aspiring passion and worthiness of 
 nigh memories. 
 
 "The poem is partly occupied with the 
 exemplification of man in his early vigour, 
 grasping at knowledge, aiming at iiigh 
 achievements, wandering in error and 
 crime, accomplishing many noble results, 
 but becoming corrupt in his self-relying 
 pride. Concerning a period so remote, 
 that we possess only the shadows of its 
 traditions, almost any conjectures are al- 
 lowable, and, without entering into the 
 examination of probabilities as to those 
 hazarded by Mr. Heraud, it must be appa- 
 rent that they open a vast field for the 
 imagination. The conception of such a 
 condition of humanity is in itself grand, 
 and in working it out many passages of 
 power and grandeur are scattered through- 
 out the poem. A design bejond is appa- 
 rent, the first part being typical of the cor- 
 ruption of the Christian world; the second 
 of some great renovation of humanity to 
 be looked for through the genius of pure 
 religion overflowing and redeeming it. 
 Among the fine conceptions which we have 
 noticed as of frequent occurrence, we may 
 particularise the gathering of the descend- 
 ants of Adam around his death-bed. The 
 death of the first man— the first natural 
 death of any man (for Abel died by vio- 
 lence)— is a subject full of suggestion. The 
 grief at the separation, the despair at the 
 sight of the inevitable doom of man, the 
 hope growing out of despair, are all de- 
 scribed with great ability. Cain, the first 
 cause of death, wearing Death's iron crown 
 to hide the brand on his forehead, is a 
 grand conception. His scotfs at hope are 
 conceived in a dramatic spirit; and his al- 
 lusion to Abel is full of pathos. From the 
 passages, full of faith in the spiritual and 
 immortal part of man , in which the poem 
 is rich, we select the following. It is con- 
 ceived and executed in the finest spirit of 
 philosophy and poetry, • * • 
 
 " The whole conception of the history of 
 Cain and Abel is extremelyfine. The idea, 
 which is original, and grounded on the 
 
 most profound views of human nature and 
 destiny, may be gathered from the follow- 
 ing exposition of the purpose of each in 
 making the offering to God. * * * In 
 Cain is shadowed forth the spirit of inquiry 
 and doubt; the impatience of evil; the 
 pride of power to understand all things; 
 and the demand that, according to the un- 
 derstanding of man, God should right all 
 things. In Abel is embodied the spirit of 
 Faitn. He is a prototype of the condition 
 of man when he shall recognise the all- 
 importance of the inward life, the spiritual 
 being ; shall know so clearly, that he shall 
 have learned that he knows nothing ; shall 
 feel that he is surrounded with mystery— 
 ' rounded with a sleep ;' shall trust and 
 love. The race of Cain, throughout the 
 poem, represents the searchers, the ^io* 
 neers, the daring, grand, and grasping 
 spirits ; and the Woachidse picture, those 
 who preserve 'faith in the earth;' or, ap- 
 plying the whole to an individual nature, 
 it will serve as an illustration of the shades 
 and gradations of its progress. The dis- 
 course of the orators (in the eleventh 
 book), at the greatmeeting called by Noah, 
 and his replies, are in the same spirit. 
 
 "A pervading consciousness of the power 
 and grandeur of man, allied as he is, 
 through imagination, with the Btemal and 
 Infinite, characterises the whole of Mr. 
 Heraud's poem. "Whether, in looking back- 
 ward on ages past, or forward into the dim 
 future, this faith is always apparent in him, 
 strong and vital— stamping his work with 
 the promise of a noble course into future 
 times, reflecting, like a deep and clear- 
 flowing river, the starry host above, and 
 the human images that float with ever- 
 renewing sequence alon^ its solemn mar- 
 gin, yet as they fleet aspire to endless life. 
 The poet's estimate of the past is in the 
 same lofty tone, and full of true philosophy 
 and voGtTy."—Monihly Repository ^ June^ 
 1837, by R. a. Some, Esq. 
 
 " One of the noblest poems with which 
 modern genius has enriched our language 
 and nation ; perha'S the noblest poem 
 since the days of Milton.*'— FroserV Ma- 
 gaziTie. 
 
 " Its author is evidently a man of genius, 
 learning, and great perseverance. His ima- 
 gination is uncommonly fertile in brilliant 
 and strikingimagery ; his mental strength 
 is also of a masculine order, as appears from 
 the vigour and boldness of his conceptions ; 
 his skill in versification Is very great, as 
 might easily be proved by examining the 
 structure of his verses, which is often pecu- 
 liarly melodious, and admirably adapted 
 to the nature of the thought ; and his read- 
 ing and general acquirements must be ex- 
 tensive and varied, as is evident from the 
 wide field of knowledge over which he 
 ranges at will, and with much ease and 
 accuracy. Upon the whole, we think the 
 poem a splendid production— splendid in 
 daringuess— we had almost said audacity 
 
THE BET. J. ■W'. LESTEE's " CEITICISM.' 
 
 of conception and aim— splendid in the 
 boundlessneds of its imaginative flights 
 and ornaments, and possessing at least an 
 equal claim to that appellation in another 
 sense, from the countless numbers of its 
 splendida vitia. We consider, indeed, Mr. 
 Heraud to be the only worthy successor 
 who has yet arisen to those true poets 
 whose lyres have now been for a time 
 mute, silenced by death or the chill re- 
 pression of benumbing age." — Presbyterian 
 
 " The author obviously possesses talents 
 and learning, which entitle his elaborate 
 work to our deliberate examination.'*— 
 Quarterly Review. 
 
 " Almost all our best poets have turned 
 prose writers, and only a few occasional 
 attempts (among which Mr. HenryTaylor's 
 fine dramatic poem of Philip van Arteoelde 
 and Mr. Heraud's Judgement of, the Flood, 
 deserve particular mention), have recently 
 been made to reclaim for verse its prescrip- 
 tive though hardly rightful superiority."— 
 Foreign Quarterly Review. 
 
 " As we proceeded in our perusal of this 
 poem, we were increasingly struck with 
 tokens of vigorous talent and rich imagina- 
 tion on the part of its author. In his pre- 
 face, Mr. Heraud says, speaking of his own 
 work, 'That all is purposely gigantic ; the 
 plot, the persons, the crimes, the language, 
 and the imagery;' and this is the spirit 
 wherein an epic should be conceived, which 
 treats of those wondrous and antique days, 
 when the Sons of God came down and 
 dwelt among the children of men." — 
 AthsncEum. 
 
 "Blank verse, such as has not been 
 written since the days of Milton, some- 
 what simpler than that of Fa/radise Lost, 
 but rising often into solemn harmony, 
 worthy or the fine organ-ear of the Old 
 Blind Man of Britain. The work in other 
 respects is suited for general reception, 
 being as entertaining as a story as it is 
 excellent as a poem, and blends the tender 
 interest of the novel and the wild grace of 
 the romance, with the stem grandeur and 
 
 severe simplicity of the epic style."— 
 Portico. 
 
 " The design is vast, the story tragical in 
 the highest conceivable degree ; the pas- 
 slons that appear are those of humanity, 
 in a condition of suffering or happiness, 
 almost superhuman, and the moral is the 
 grandest which the intellect of man can 
 comprehend. The reader feels the awe of 
 the presence in which he stands ; he hears 
 words of power, and confesses the majesty 
 of the epic, in the accumulation of profound 
 thoughts, of overwhelming events, of feli- 
 citous ima|:es and individual attributes. 
 The narrative is carried on with remark- 
 able clearness, diversified and interrupted 
 as it is by a kind of episodical illustration, 
 which is essential to the sul^ect ; it grows 
 on the attention by degrees, and filling the 
 mind with a new view of an event, faimliar 
 to all the world, subdues and fascinates by 
 the force of continuous power. All is bold, 
 sincere, philosophical, elevated; the poet 
 does not seek to surprise, but to instruct ; 
 his knowledge is profound, his inspiration 
 true, and his devotion purified by medita- 
 tion."— ^ftr/t^ed fro7n the Atlas. 
 
 " iN'one can doubt for a moment of the 
 learning, the piety, and the genius of the 
 axLthoT."— Metropolitan Magazine. 
 
 *' This is a volume of no mean preten- 
 sions. The author is, beyond doubt, a poet. 
 He has communed much in spirit with the 
 living oracles, and has enriched a mind of 
 considerable natural fertility, by an inti- 
 mate acquaintance with the classic page." 
 — Evangelical Magazine. 
 
 " The author has very properly made 
 free use of the apocryphal Book of Enochs 
 and has thus ootained materials which 
 may be allowed a poet though denied a 
 theologian ; and thus we live in the world 
 before the Flood, amidst persons and mon- 
 uments long since washed away, saving the 
 very few memorials left us' by the Jevnsh 
 legislator."— J^woTwcZfcoZ Register. 
 
 " Mr. Heraud's Judgement of the Flood 
 is an epic poem."— ^foc^ooff. 
 
 The following unique recognition of this poem, in a Volume en- 
 titled " Criticisms, by tbe Eev. John W. Lestee, E.A., 2nd 
 Edition, 1848," must, from its peculiar character, be repeated 
 in extenso. 
 
 " Wondrous these days to the subtle spi- 
 rit: days girt round with marvel; days 
 gemmed with beauty; days edged with 
 the opal loveliness of dawn ; dawn open- 
 ing into some orient clime, bathing nature 
 in delicious light, and pointing onwards to 
 
 the holiest in heaven. Wondrous days are 
 these ; days of deep marvel. Sky tints on 
 all; sapphire fringed the universe. 
 
 "How opens the world on the spirit, 
 opens on blushing sweetness to enamour 
 and win foreverto itself; beautiful indeed 
 
XXll 
 
 THli EEV. J. W. LESTEE 8 " CEITICISM. 
 
 tlie earth> andbeautifU indeed man*8 soul I 
 Something exquisitely tuned to hymn of 
 God ; to hymn of pmity and peace. 
 
 *' Deep, deep, the heart ; deep, deep its 
 thoughts; deeper still its love. 
 
 "So dawn breaks, and we wonder how 
 the twinkling gems of heaven sink into 
 pure, unsullied light: all passed away, 
 rolled up as a scroll, those million burning 
 watchers, rolled up till even. 
 
 "And these have awakened a lofty Spirit 
 to breathe out his magnificent song ; have 
 enkindled all the highest feelings of his 
 heart into a holy flame of tenderness and 
 truth. 
 
 " Sweet the dawn comes on through the 
 wide heaven-portals, and to that dawn is 
 turned the deep-seeing eye of a wondrous 
 Man, looking far down into its snowy 
 whiteness, and praying for the holiest. 
 
 "Sweet the evening steals away with 
 crimson and with gold. Sweet quietude 
 on ocean's wave and the gentle purling 
 Till. So sinks the sun beneath the western 
 tide; sinks in hallowed twilight, unruffled 
 and exquisitely serene. And^s lie sinks, 
 that eye, deep-wondering, watches, and 
 watches still, adoration-bent. Down sinks 
 the sun, and that eye intensely looks ; in- 
 tensely and yet more intensely, till the last 
 gleam fades from the dark sea-bosom, then 
 lifts its light above on the quenchless stars, 
 and prays for inspiration. 
 
 "Day after day, and night after night, 
 that eye doth gaze; risen morn and beau- 
 tiful eve pass on and on, and no dimness 
 there, deep and deeper still the prophetic 
 meaning and the fervid prayer. 
 
 "The universe, ah, no! can never give 
 thee what thou seekest, Foet ! The uni- 
 verse of Grod is mute to prayer like thine, 
 mute, mute. So higher look ; look through 
 creation to her Lord. 
 
 "Bose sweet smelling on yon latticed 
 porch is but what the universe itself is to 
 God— the scent of that essence supreme. 
 There fix thine eye! 
 
 " Dawn, dawn, beautiful dawn awakes 
 again, but in his chamber lonely kneels the 
 spirit to its God : nature mute ; the spirit 
 mute : all round the presence of the holy 
 Silence on the soul when the Creator 
 epeaks. 
 
 " Light now and life ! light sweeter far 
 than dawn, and life fairer than calmest 
 eve ; light and life, they are given, and thy 
 heart is happy. 
 
 "How beautiful is light in the dwellings 
 of the righteous ! Fairer then than spirit 
 ever dreamed in loveliest vision ; fairer, so 
 fair, so sweet, so beautiful, the daughter of 
 the sky. 
 
 ' Who listened there. 
 Had heard the mother prattling to the 
 
 children 
 Tales of their father, and low-breathM 
 
 numbers 
 Like the sequestered stock-dove's brooding 
 murmur. 
 
 Full of maternal tenderness— the burthen 
 The gladness of that sire's return at even. 
 When he should take the sweet boy from 
 
 her bosom. 
 Or on his daughter's head let fall the tear. 
 The purest that can fall from human eye ; 
 While, quiet in her bliss, she should await 
 The sweet embrace; and after, on his breast 
 Beclined, from his meek lips receive ac- 
 count 
 What knowledge, wisdom, truth, the sons 
 
 of God 
 Had won from large discourse on loftiest 
 
 themes. 
 Or by the elders of the brethren taught. 
 Or from angelic ministry derived. 
 Anon the sun went down; their hearts first 
 
 bowed 
 In worship pure, then, folded each to each. 
 In calm repose; the stars watched over 
 
 them.' 
 Beautiful, most beautiful, the vale in which 
 these beings dwell ; beautiful indeed ! 
 ' Sweet is the twilight eve in Armon's vale, 
 Sweet, lovely, tranquil; sometimes darkly 
 
 throned. 
 And oft refulgent : soft the western wind. 
 Floating white clouds through silent depths 
 
 of blue. 
 O'er hills and haunts secluded ; where the 
 
 voice 
 Of waters murmurs with the bleat of 
 
 lambs. 
 Fair o'er the Vale of Armon walks the 
 
 Moon 
 In brightness; and on flowers, and streams, 
 
 and hills. 
 Flings beauteous radiance from her ample 
 
 orb. 
 Streaking with silver lines the swarthy 
 
 night — 
 'Till grey with age herself foreshow her 
 
 death ; 
 The resurrection of another day. 
 As yet but hoped for— like a coming joy. 
 Subsisting in desire ; as do the souls 
 In Hades, 'till with risen flesh reclothed.' 
 So the poet's prayer is heard in heaven, and 
 utterance deep-toned is ^ven. 
 
 "Davra now the visions of the soul, 
 glimpses of beauty never to fade ; gleams 
 ruby tinted, as of the sun's western course, 
 but living, speaking to man's heart. 
 
 " Time rolls backward ; the dial of Ahaz 
 moves wonder in the heart of prince and 
 people ; backwards still, deeper and deeper 
 into forgotten years, till time is fresh and 
 young, with the dews of morn upon her, 
 and the grass all beautiful and green. 
 
 "No rainbow in the heaven now; no 
 exquisite play of mysterious colours. Broad 
 sky of blue, deep, deep, sapphire sea, calm, 
 undisturbed, serene. 
 
 "Quiet the universe around, — the gar- 
 ment of the Infinite; quiet all and beauti- 
 ful, too beautiful for the spirit to look upon ; 
 I fair as virgin dawn. 
 ' "Beautiful the earth, and beautiful the 
 
THE EEV. J. W. LESTEES " CEITICISM. 
 
 trees, and beautiful the glassy lake ; most 
 beautiful and sweet. Beautiful the lily and 
 the rose ; and beautiful morn and eve, with 
 their hymns of peace and joy. 
 
 " But man is otherwise; deep sunk in 
 ^ilt is he, deep and deeper every hoor. 
 Follution staineJiis soul ; corruption defiles 
 the inner thought. His breath the breath 
 of sin and hate ; sin nnrepented of, and 
 hate most highly prized. 
 
 " And the daughters of men are wanton, 
 and their eyes 'are flame.' No hallowed 
 altar in the heart ; no sinless desire there, 
 unholy all and past forgiveness ! 
 
 " Beautiful the earth, and beautiful the 
 heaven ; but deformed is man, deformed 
 and cursed. Mercy gleams in every star 
 of night, mercy, silver- toned and blessed ! 
 But this avails not ; wantoQ and guilty, the 
 race seeks pleasure in the evil-throned. 
 
 " Blood-stained the earth ; blood on 
 the mora, and blood on golden eve. No 
 worship of the Holiest ; worship of the 
 cursed I 
 
 *• So rolls the universe in beauty and in 
 quietude ; rolls round the mighty centre of 
 existence ; rolls in grandeur and delicious 
 sweetness, and so rolls on the race of man, 
 blood-spotted, wanton, and godless. 
 
 "Amid the shepherd-tended vales, one 
 voice is heard hymning the praise of the 
 Eternal. Sweet thai voice arises; sweet 
 and sweeter still. 
 
 " Twinkle out the stars, and that voice 
 ascends ; and again when they ' sink away 
 into the light of heaven* is it heard. 
 Beautiful is that amid the beautiful of 
 creation. 
 
 "That voice is the voice of the world's 
 second sire, praying to his God. 
 
 " Then the faitbfUl one is missioned to 
 the pleasure-seekers and the wanton wor- 
 shippers. But they spurn him and bis 
 message, and return again to their unhal- 
 lowed mirth. Vengeance is preparing; 
 vengeance from theXord. 
 
 "Beautifiil is earth, and beautiful is 
 heaven ; beautiful the lapse of stream, and 
 beautiful the low green copse ; but deformed 
 is man, deformed, deformed! On the world ^ 
 a spot of deep blood-guiltiness, a spot for 
 waters 'of the great deep* alone to wash 
 away. 
 
 " The glorious waters I waters beautiful 
 and bright, the glancing, heaving, musical 
 waters! even these must roll on limitless, 
 and baptize the earth of all her wanton 
 race; nay, not baptize, but sweep them to 
 their judgment. 
 
 " So the waters roll, and man is not. 
 Again the Poet lowlier knelt and prayed :— 
 
 • Omniscient Spirit, Presence of the past, 
 Bend, rend the veil; unblasted, let me 
 
 look 
 Into the holiest. On that dial's font. 
 Whose hours are ages, bid the sun return, 
 That I may read their history aloud. 
 Disperse the mist trom Ocean's monstrous 
 
 face. 
 And purge my sight, that I may see 
 
 beyona.* 
 
 " So utterance, deep-burning, broke from 
 the suppliant's lips and prevailed with 
 God ; and the Judgement of the Flood was 
 visioned in characters of fire. 
 
 "Poet I this homage-hymn to thee; but 
 the holier one to God !" 
 
ON HAVIUa OOMPIETED 
 
 THE REVISION OF THE POEM, 
 
 (5 July, 1852.) 
 
ODE. 
 
 I. 
 
 BiED of Doubt, 
 Let the stream run out ; 
 The stream deep, and strong, 
 Of the river of song, 
 Whose spring is thy heart ; 
 
 That fountain divine, 
 Whence with wildness, and art, 
 
 It flows into mine. 
 I hear it — I hear it — 
 Most beautiful Spirit, 
 All the Night long, 
 That stream deep, and strong, 
 Of the river of song. — 
 
 Bird of Doubt, 
 How shall we name thy sob, and thy shout ? 
 
 II. 
 
 Is thy song of Triumph, or Sorrow ? 
 — Idiots we ; — what terms we borrow — 
 
 For what, if to Grief 
 
 It give relief; 
 
 Is there not a Joy in Grief? 
 
ODE. 
 
 And what, if Joy 
 
 Its numbers employ ? 
 
 In sighs, and tears. 
 
 Oft Joy appears — 
 Ay, Sorrow hath laughed, and Triumph hath wept ; 
 And Smiles, and Tears, with both have kept.— 
 So, whether thou sob, or whether thou shout ; 
 How may thy song be named. Bird of Doubt ? 
 
 All rapture— all sadness — 
 
 All gladness — all madness — 
 
 Be it named of Ecstasy, 
 
 Profound as Hell, than Heaven more high. 
 Of the Shadow of Death this Earth is the Vale- 
 Sing on — sing thou on — mystic Nightingale. 
 
 III. 
 
 This Song of mine might have been sung by thee ; 
 
 And, darkling, has been sung by me — 
 
 Midst boyhood's hopes, midst manhood's fears ; 
 
 "With too few smiles, and many tears ; 
 
 And, in a region all obscure 
 
 Of time, wherein was nothing sure : 
 
 And hence have I, with sad intention. 
 
 Of thee made honourable mention, 
 
 As meet, thyself a mystery. 
 
 Of Mythic Muse the Bard to be. 
 
 I heard thy numbers in the dreamed tone 
 
 Of Plato's image, language all thine own. 
 
 By the Pellean conqueror heard ; 
 
 Prophetic group, well-carved in stone 
 
 By Japhet ;* — thine was every word 
 
 Of Truth, and Wisdom ; thou, a Philosophic Bird. 
 
 * See Section 3, Book I. 
 
lY. 
 
 What Grief, what Passion, what Anxiety, 
 Have tempted me whilere ; to live or die, 
 TJnknowing which to chuse — 
 O thankless Man ; if not, thankless Muse. 
 With these Temptations I have battled now ; 
 Victor, or vanquished ? God, that knowest Thou. 
 
 My Spirit has experienced many phases. 
 
 Since, the first time, I thought to thread the mazes 
 
 Of this great theme. 
 I am not what I was ; nay, I 
 Have nothing of my own identity. 
 
 Save in this dream : 
 Yet diflFerence, even here, I apprehend — 
 And now her travail cometh to an end, 
 I feel no triumph ; rather shame, and sorrow, 
 Offspring of sin ; and Hope of Death to-morrow. 
 So that the Waters o'er my soul may pass. 
 And wash it — from the Ark shut out, alas. 
 Entrance wherein I wished, but wanted strength 
 Of Faith to reach. WeU^Once set free, at length, 
 The Ark of Hades waits ; where even the Drowned 
 Find refuge late, and are of Mercy found. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OF THE -ELOOD. 
 
 ^art tfij JFtrst. 
 
 L A M E C H. 
 
ARGUMENT 
 
 BOOK I. TO III. 
 
 1. Noah'8 vision of the Angel described in the Apocalypse, cap. 10,— prophetic 
 of the coming Judgement. Awakes, snmmons his Sons, Shem, Ham, and Japbet, 
 to the celebration of tbe Sabbath, and proceeds towards Adam's Tomb; dis- 
 coursing of Jared, who, when dying, had declared the threatened Deluge to be, 
 In some unexplained manner, connected with the death of Methuselah. The 
 people profane the Sabbath with sport, and violence, though admonished by 
 passages extracted from the ' Book of Enoch,' distributed, by Taraiel the Scribe, 
 and Elihu, the youngest son of Lamech, at the direction oi Zateel, the lover of 
 Lamech's daughter, Zerah. Elihu, with his friend Sodi, is grieved to learn that 
 the latter has resolved on Apostasy, because disappointed in his passion for 
 Edna, daughter of Enoch's widow. Elihu relates his mysterious interview with 
 Celestial Wisdom ; but fails' to dissuade Sodi. Meanwhile, Noah has been rapt 
 away from his Sons by an Angel, and borne to the Cainite City of Enos. Chava, 
 their Mother, prophetically informed of Noah's disappearance. Zateel relates his 
 own story in connexion with that of Samiasa, the Lycanthrope, King of the 
 Fourth Stream of Eden. Leilah, Ahola, and Ahama, the brides of the Noachi* 
 die.— Japhet*8 works, as a Sculptor, representative of the post-diluvian fortunes 
 of his race. " Brouma," in reference to the origin of the Scythians— (see 
 Bromley and Pinkerton)— " the Canaanite vanquished by the Roman" — (see 
 Horsley)—" Alexander taught by Plato and Aristotle"— "Britannia, and Com- 
 merce, and the East Indian trade"— (see Horsley)— and "The Messiah"— not 
 yet completed. The Vale of Armon. Details of patriarchal history. II. The 
 Court, and City of Enos. The race of Cain. Tubalcain, and Naamah— Jabal, and 
 Jubal— The Shepherd race of Abel ;— how treated. The Shield of Lamech.— 
 Noah's prediction.— The Erythr«an Sea.— Noah, andHori.— Phanuel, guardian 
 Angel of Samiasa. The place of the latter*8 retreat. The Land of Gihon. 
 Palal, the Sophist. III. Sorrows of Lamech. Afflicted for Noah's absence, he 
 meditates concerning the Patriarchs, and himself. Tribes celebrate, with a 
 Sacrament of Bread, and Wine, the Harvest Home. Irruption of the Cainites ; 
 the destruction of the whole tribe of Lamech. Lamech (like Job afterwards i 
 laments seven days. His curse. Japhet, Shem, and Ham— their speeches. 
 Methuselah. NoaVs return. Lamech's death. 
 
 The book describing Lamech's sorrows was suggested by that of " Job." For the 
 legitimacy of such an attempt, the highest authorities are not wanting. Virgil's 
 ^NEiD is said to be a more artful recombination of pre-existing poetic materials, 
 oral or written; a liberty of which Milton, and Klopstock have availed them- 
 selves to the utmost:— to do so is, indeed, the especial duty, and peculiar province 
 of an epic poet. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OF THE FLOOD. 
 
 The Lay op LILITH'S SON; Deeamee op Deeams, 
 Sees op Visions, in the Moenin& Land. 
 
 One Sabbath, lo, I clomb the misty sides, 
 At Dayspring, till I reached the glorious top 
 Of perfect Ararat ; whereon the Mood 5 
 
 Stranded the Ark of Noah : — soon I heard. 
 Whiles, in the Spirit, resting there, " AU hail." 
 Then, on my face I fell, and thus I prayed : 
 
 ' Of Him, the Oldest Man— Methuselah, 9 
 
 Whose Death forenamed brought wreck on the huge World ; 
 Of Noah, the rejected priest of Truth ; 
 Of Wrong primeval, and the Father's Wrath ; 
 How War lays waste, and Peace corrupts mankind ; 
 Nations, and peoples ; patriarchs, and kings ; 
 Angels, men, demons ; Earth, and Heaven, and HeU ; 15 
 Lands without name, and Language without words ; 
 The cataracts of the everlasting Height, 
 The fountains of the coetemal Deep ; 
 Antient of Days, instruct the solemn song. 
 — Omniscient Spirit, Presence of the past, 20 
 
 Send, rend the veU ; unblasted, let me look 
 
10 exobdittm:. 
 
 Into the Holiest : On that Dial's front, 
 
 Whose hours are ages, bid the Sun return. 
 
 That I may read their history aloud : 
 
 Disperse the mist from Ocean's monstrous face, 25 
 
 And purge my sight, that I may see beyond ; 
 
 And, from the mystic, unrevealed profound 
 
 Of universal Deluge, may evoke. 
 
 As from a sepulchre, the Spectres dread 
 
 Of giant crime, of passions darkly great ; 30 
 
 Imaginations awfiil, unexplored, 
 
 Begot incessant on the evil heart ; 
 
 Dire brood of Mind rebellious, bold to scale 
 
 The hill of heaven, and dare the brow of G-od.' 
 
 Then answered me the Spirit, trumpet-tongued : '35 
 
 ' Prayer hath prevailed. The Deep yields up her Dead.' 
 
 And, forthwith, there were Visions, and a Voice — 
 What brings the Spirit to my musing ear ? 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 
 
 Voices of many Thunders ; and they spake 
 
 Words, and a language understood by man, 
 
 Albeit no human dialect : the mind 
 
 Imbibed their meaning, though the sounds were strange. 
 
 A sable Cloud palled o'er the Universe, 5 
 
 That it implied a Sanctuary of Death, 
 
 Whence light is barred, as an unholy thing. 
 
 Elsewhere the holiest of the works of God. 
 
 Defined, anon, and growing visible, 
 
 A shade, a shape, a symbol it became ; 10 
 
 Tin soon the vapoury mass appeared the robe 
 
 Of a descending Angel — and, behold, 
 
 Circling all earth, based on the world of waves, 
 
 A glory arched the entire expanse of sky. 
 
 Braided of sunbeams, and the tears of heaven. 15 
 
 — Therein, more glorious stiU, the Angel stood, 
 
 A conflagration kindling sea, and shore ; 
 
 His head with stars becrowned ; and, awfiiUy, 
 
 He raised aloft his ample hand, and sware. 
 
 ' By Him who is, and was, and is to come : 20 
 
 Eternity my father ; thou, oh Sun, 
 
 And thou, oh Earth, and aU ye iloating Orbs, 
 
 My children; my dominion. Space; great Truth, 
 
 The daughter of my Voice — my Words are Things 
 
 That have been, are, and shall be. Woe, woe, woe. 25 
 
 — Alas, for Man, whose sold, a human god. 
 
 Creates its like, a god unto itself, 
 
 Eairer than aU the stars ; brighter than he 
 
 Who holds, in the mid heaven, his glorious shield. 
 
12 LAITD OF EDEN. 
 
 Before his burning brow, to shade the earth, 30 
 
 Lest the ever-during hills should melt, like wax, 
 
 I"rom tiny thigh by virgin bee distilled : 
 
 Or world, more wonderous than archangel kenned 
 
 In highest heaven, new even to Deity ; 
 
 Tea, mightier than his mightiest handy-work, 35 
 
 And fondly deemed eternal as his throne. 
 
 Though transient as the dew ; and, like the tear, 
 
 The tremulous globule, glassed in Beauty's eye, 
 
 Because of frailty more attractive stiU. 
 
 —Alas, for thee, oh Time. Of the firm arc 40 
 
 The keystone, knit by the prime Architect, 
 
 And whereon thou didst set thy resonant foot. 
 
 And say . . . ' This is its everlasting stool,' 
 
 Is broken. In the haUs of mighty men, 
 
 Leviathan disports : no mom have they, 45 
 
 But of his eyelids; neither lamp, nor fire, 
 
 But of what wrath-breath from his nostrils bums. 
 
 — ^Tet fear not, Noah. Lo, I stand within 
 
 The ethereal circle, and pure zone of love ; 
 
 Tet shall I thus return, and thus shall swear 50 
 
 By Him who is, and was, and is to come, 
 
 That Time shall be no longer. And, again. 
 
 The echoes of seven worlds shall answer me, 
 
 In thunder repercussed from orb to orb.' 
 
 Hushed is the Archangel's mighty voice ; and hushed 55 
 The peals of the responses, momently. 
 And where he stood a self-raised Altar stands. 
 Surmounted with a pyramid of flame. 
 And odourous as cassia ere the Pall ; 
 
 Space filling, and usurping the sun's height, 60 
 
 Veiled by the volumes of the fragrant smoke ; 
 Beautiful in destruction, terrible 
 In beauty ; till the sacrifice appeared 
 A moiand of star-bright ashes, such as were 
 The wreck and embers of a perished world. 65 
 
NOAH, AND HIS SONS. 13 
 
 — Whence came a Peathered King ; likest the bird 
 
 Egyptian, the mysterious holocaust 
 
 Of ages, in the splendour of his plumes, 
 
 Eefined in that essential &e, and made 
 
 Eejuvenescent ; lifting his full eye, 70 
 
 Exulting, toward the sun ; that sent, from out 
 
 His central orb, his choicest rays, to greet 
 
 The royal One . . . whom bathed the golden streams, 
 
 "Whence he was bom, and whereby is sustained : 
 
 At once, poised on the waves of his bright wings, 75 
 
 He fanned the gales of Paradise abroad ; 
 
 And, in far ether, looked another sun, 
 
 Dazzling the sight — then, mingled with the heaven. 
 
 And Noah's eye seemed so to ache after him. 
 In this his vision, that the Prophet woke. 80 
 
 Still Chava slept, his wife. She undisturbed : — 
 His simple raiment donned, he stood erect, 
 A venerable man, and yet not old ;* 
 Like some hoar Hill, seen far up in the heaven. 
 Midst a low vale, with streamlet haply girt, 85 
 
 And graced vnth faery lake, where Silence sits 
 Whispering the Lily pale, made pale with grief 
 Por absent lover, hanging o'er the brook. 
 — His manly beard flowed graceful down his chest, 
 Like a lone grove, or cirque of shady trees, 90 
 
 Weaving their branches, that no moonlight pierce 
 The shrine they love to arbour, and imbower. 
 — Over his shoulder waved his copious locks, 
 In artless beauty, but in clusters rich. 
 And o'er his forehead in ambrosial curls, 95 
 
 As they embellished an angelic head, 
 
 * The oriental embellishments with which the following description of 
 Noah's person is overcharged, have their parallel and sanction in the 
 Ethiopian " Book of Enoch." 
 
14 LAND or EDEN. 
 
 Uriel's, orEaphael's, famed for golden hair, 
 
 With amaranth enwreathed. A seamless robe 
 
 Set-off the fine proportion of his limbs, 
 
 TJpgathered, in his arms, in ample folds. 100 
 
 — A venerable man, and yet not old ; 
 
 His midway sun had gained the tide of noon. 
 
 Calmness, and heat partaking ; such as feels 
 
 The Shepherd, when the day-star leans awhile. 
 
 Their task half done, at rest, in height of heaven, 105 
 
 As o'er a precipice, and kindles round 
 
 The glowing skies even to the horizon's edge. 
 
 And beautifies the changes of the clouds ; 
 
 Herds of the fields of air : of other flocks 
 
 Mindful, the Swain reposes by the oak, 110 
 
 Beneath the shade of that majestic tree, 
 
 While from the plain the bleating charge go seek 
 
 For sheltering valley, or umbrageous wood. 
 
 — A venerable man, and yet not old ; 
 
 And a simplicity his aspect bore, 115 
 
 Yet thwart his brow were traces as of age. 
 
 As there old Time had travelled ; so he had : 
 
 Por Thought is time ; and Thought, with constant tread. 
 
 Had worn a wrinkled pathway — but his eye, 
 
 TJndimmed, shone out, clear as the Hour of Dawn, 120 
 
 And quiet as is nature then, when all 
 
 Is silent as the night, though night be not, 
 
 And yet the drowsy Kine lie on the dews — 
 
 Quiet, and meditative, as lone Even ; 
 
 Lone, save to covert wends the weary Stag, 125 
 
 And mingled song the timeous Bird outpours. 
 
 Weeping forth joy, or laughing in its grief — * 
 
 Quiet, and meditative, and as bright, 
 
 As the fair Moon aloft, escaped from cloud, 
 
 Or entering hermit dwelling, roofed with moss, 130 
 
 Neighboured with ancient yew, and winding stream, 
 
 And floored with spreading leaves ; her beams beside 
 
NOAH, AWD HIS SONS. 15 
 
 No other light within its opening door. 
 
 And Noah, Priest, and Witness of the Truth, 
 Now looked abroad upon the mountain tops : 135 
 
 Mom had walked forth, and edged them with the trace 
 Of her auriferous footsteps ; tinged the skies 
 "With her own rose-tipped fingers ; and the clouds 
 Eissed to the ripe hue of her coral lips. 
 The intense suffusion of her lustrous cheeks. 140 
 
 — What strife of love is on the orient hill. 
 Deep blush, and rival ardour of desire : 
 The enamoured breezes press to her embrace, 
 And thence return, with presents for the earth, 
 Pearls, soon exhaled ; and perfume for aU flowers — 145 
 Less wanton than the daughters of mankind. 
 Who welcome passion, though its breath be moist, 
 And tinctured with the dew of other lips. 
 Or, in demoniac pride, with demons mate. 
 
 But holier thoughts befit the Holy Mom, 150 
 
 That ushers in the day, the Omnific Word 
 Eested. Hail, loveliest of Time's daughters, hail : 
 How, Kke thy sisters, to men's use devote. 
 Frequent by satyr force defiled, though He 
 Thee consecrated. Virgin, to himself. 155 
 
 And Noah said unto his Sons, — 
 
 'Arise 
 On this peculiar day right-early wake. 
 — Though men against her chastity rebel. 
 And mock the Sabbath on the couch of sin ; 
 Shall We be tardy in our matin-song ? 160 
 
 Let us go forth ; and offer, on the Tomb 
 Of Adam, sacrifice with heart, and voice. 
 Prayer, and thanksgiving, and a contrite mind. 
 — Sons, I have seen a vision : God hath spoken. 
 And I will speak ; so, haply, I may save 165 
 
 Earth from her doom, and Love, long-suffering Love, 
 
16 LAND OF EDEN. 
 
 Withdraw the vengeance from her verdant fields. 
 
 — Are they not dear to me ? Tor them hath time 
 
 Not strengthened in my heart habitual ruth ? 
 
 She is our first great Mother ; such of all: ] 70 
 
 Out of her very substance are we made. 
 
 For her I feel a Son's solicitude ; 
 
 And would not have her womb laid baa-e, and crushed, 
 
 "While I behold it, without power to help.' 
 
 Forth Noah went ; with Japhet, Shem, and Ham, 175 
 His sons. Shem led a yearling Lamb along, 
 For Sacrifice on Adam's Sepulchre — 
 Forth went the Preacher, and his Filial Train, 
 In the bright shadow of the morning sun. 
 Their way was along Valleys, from a vale, 180 
 
 Through winding Hollows, guarded round by HiUs, 
 Graced with the Palm, and groves of bearded Fig, 
 Vine, Date, and Plantain, Clove, and Cinnamon, 
 Cocoa, and Laurel, Chestnut, Oak, and F.lm ; 
 Hiding more distant Eivers, Lakes, and Streams ; 185 
 
 Eocks, where the Lichens grew, pulverulent. 
 Or leafy. Mosses struggling into light. 
 Huge Reeds, and Sedge gigantic ; for the Sea 
 Had there a girdle both in beach, and cliff ; 
 And arborescent Ferns — ^with other stems, 190 
 
 Like, but of smaller size. O nothing lacked 
 The Old world of what since the New may boast ; 
 But rather in excess acknowledged Ufe, 
 Both vegetable forms, and animal. 
 
 Trees, shrubs, and flowers ; field, forest, flood, and fell ; 195 
 Eose up in Heaven's great Eye, as Earth arose 
 On TTriel's Orb, the Seraph of the Sun. 
 
 And Noah spake these words unto his Sons : — 
 ' Accordant with the work on us imposed 
 By messengers divine, angelic guests, 200 
 
NOAH, AND HIS SONS. 17 
 
 Ton Ark to build, thus far by us performed, 
 
 In faith submiss — the Vision me vouchsafed 
 
 Touched the dread End of things ; as now well nigh 
 
 Some cycle were complete, and wearied Time 
 
 Halted ; yet not as one whose journey's sped, 205 
 
 But looking onward to the west, where he 
 
 Shall with the sun repose. I call to mind 
 
 The dying words of Jared, that pronounced 
 
 The Doom of Earth, linked with our grandsire's death, 
 
 Methuselah — now oldest man of men. 210 
 
 — Within the vale of Armon, I, then young. 
 
 Sate in the radiance of the sabbath dawn ; 
 
 Betrothed Chava, at the patriarch's door, 
 
 Anxious awaiting . . earliest visitant : 
 
 For Jared on his final couch was laid, 215 
 
 And a prophetic dream had told his soul. 
 
 That he should die that day. Therefore the dawn 
 
 Would I prevent ; that of his last of days 
 
 I might be longest witness ; but without 
 
 Attend, till entrance household rule permit. 220 
 
 — Soon, first awake, or rather, risen first ; 
 
 For tender thought made strangers sleep, and night ; 
 
 Eair Chava me beloved beckoned in. 
 
 And now, the kiss of love received, and given, 
 
 Not without tears ; we enter, silently, 225 
 
 The chamber of the dying. There, behold, 
 
 Methuselah, and Lamech, by the couch, 
 
 A saintly group, recline, in worship hushed. 
 
 The Patriarch sleeps, whom they all night had watched ; 
 
 And, in the watches of the night, had he 230 
 
 Awakened oft, and held discourse subKme 
 
 Of life, and immortality, and God ; 
 
 And then relapsed into so sweet repose, 
 
 As made the place a paradise of peace. 
 
 — In green old age erect, Methuselah, 235 
 
 Though hoary with seven centunes, upstood ; 
 
18 LAND OP EDEN. 
 
 Like lofty Ararat, that shall outlast 
 
 The period of the Flood, that must o'erwhelm 
 
 All other hiUs : so he life's wonted term : 
 
 "WhUes I, and Lamech, on his left and right, 240 
 
 Attended, rendering homage natural 
 
 To sage experience, renerahle eld. 
 
 Nor was uncondescended homage meet 
 
 To pensive beauty, graces juvenile ; 
 
 And, in expressive silence, to his breast 245 
 
 Methuselah the womanly loveliness 
 
 Of Chava's pulchritude enfolded now. 
 
 Child of the race of Jared. Timidly, 
 
 Tet piously resigned, she gazed upon 
 
 The face of him whose hour was nigh at hand ; 250 
 
 And saw the glory of his countenance 
 
 Irradiate his pillow, with the type 
 
 Of the celestial crown, prepared for souls 
 
 In Paradise, the sea of death surpassed. 
 
 Sweet his repose, so sweet that halo there, 255 
 
 AH sadness it dispelled in whoso saw ; 
 
 And substituted blessed hope, in hearts 
 
 To tender melancholy else inclined. 
 
 Though nothing fearful ; well sustained by faith. 
 
 Devoutly patient to divine decree. 260 
 
 That waking smile diffused itself, and touched 
 
 His eyelids to their opening, and again 
 
 Their orbs looked out on objects sensible. 
 
 And his wise lips found words benign again. 
 
 — ' Ah, blessed sleep, that setst the spirit free ; 265 
 
 If death hath greater gift than thine in store, 
 
 O holy vision, divine delight. 
 
 Sons, I have dreamed as Adam wont to dream 
 
 In Eden, for the Cherubim removed 
 
 Their terrours from before the Tree of Lives ; 270 
 
 So entered I the Paradise of God. 
 
 There Enoch I beheld — I saw my Son, 
 
 On whom the doom of Adam had no power, 
 
NOAH, AND HIS SONS. 19 
 
 Wise without sin, and teacher of the truth. 
 
 Much we discoursed : he of eternity ; 275 
 
 And I of time : of what had chanced on earth, 
 
 Since God's acceptance of the well-beloved. 
 
 Both wept for the impiety of man ; 
 
 And, chiei^ for the oppression exercised 
 
 By the mixed races over Abel's sons, 280 
 
 With their expulsion from the father land ; 
 
 Made still more sacred by his martyr blood ; 
 
 How dear to them — tyranny profane — 
 
 Cast out beyond the far Erythrean sea. 
 
 Now I depart to my beloved Son — 285 
 
 One duty first performed. Thy Parent's book. 
 
 The Book of Enoch, sage Methuselah, 
 
 I render to thy hand ; ere he arose, 
 
 Deposited with Seth ; transmitted, since. 
 
 From patriarch unto patriarch, last to thee ; 290 
 
 Eor on thy Death the Doom of Earth depends. 
 
 Now, while I lie, awaiting the demand 
 
 Of the Death- Angel, read to me the words 
 
 Of my wise Son, and sweetly soothe my soul ; 
 
 And, with thy Parent's wisdom, thine instruct, 295 
 
 That thou mayst rule with justice, and with truth.' 
 
 — ^And they were read to him ; but, while his Son 
 
 Was reading, Jared's soul had passed away 
 
 In peace, and placidly upon his couch 
 
 The frame exanimate reposed. Eorth went 300 
 
 Methuselah, and slowly followed him. 
 
 In quiet state, my Father. Lo, the hills 
 
 Were peopled. All the peoples of all tribes, 
 
 Submissive, yet, unto the primitive. 
 
 And gentle, hand of patriarchal rule, 305 
 
 Were there ; expecting, reverent, the report 
 
 Of Jared's death. Into the midst we passed, 
 
 Silently ; till, at Adam's Tomb arrived, 
 
 In solemn act, thereon Methuselah, 
 
 c2 
 
20 LAITD OF EDEN. 
 
 Even on that altar, holy as the dead, 3 1 
 
 The Book of Enoch laid ; acknowledged sign. 
 
 To all that multitude, of his access 
 
 To Jared's sway. This having done, he knelt ; 
 
 And all, with him, ia adoration bowed.' 
 
 Such was their Converse, gladdening well their way 315 
 Between the hiUs. At length, they came to where 
 The paths concluded ia three Vales ; that soon 
 Blended again, into a wider one. 
 More distant, opening to a continent. 
 
 Through the mid Vale they passed, a fertile spot, 820 
 
 Planted with trees ; and from the mountains flowed 
 A pleasant stream of waters musical. 
 Skirting its sides, and, in a shallow ford. 
 Crossing the footroad : odourous the trees. 
 And clustered like the palm ; the waters sweet 3'25 
 
 To many senses — hearing, sight, and scent, 
 And feeling, — nor ungrateful to the taste ; 
 And, from the current, Koah stooped to take 
 Eefreshing liquid, healing to the Hps, 
 
 And palate, parched by long, though loved, discourse. 330 
 And there was harmony among the trees : 
 The breath of morning shook the Poplar leaves ; 
 And, like the babbling of the brooks, they spake 
 Oracular : the Oaks were eloquent : 
 
 And the tall grass, within the vaUey-depths, 335 
 
 And on the hiU's-side, swelled and murmured, like 
 The Ocean-biUows breaking 'gainst the shore. 
 Eor, not by chance produced, they prophesy 
 Of their Creatour ; singing to his praise. 
 
 Who made the leaf, and grass so thin — so soft 340 
 
 So fragile ; yet so hardy, to endure 
 
 Both cold, and heat, and every change of wind 
 
 And influence of weather : nay, and, since. 
 
 The Eain, and Snow— with Spirit of Life endowed. 
 
 Surviving palaces, and pyramids. 3^5 
 
ELIHF, AKD 80DI. 21 
 
 II. 
 
 His Sons thus Noah taught. By this they heard 
 Hubbub — a day of sport. — Scene different far 
 From that deep grove of peace, and quiet hearth, 
 Where all domestic charities embraced. 
 They quitted even now. The mountains rang, 350 
 
 Their summits heard the voice of multitudes. 
 Trom 'twixt the hiUs,— just where the hollow clasped 
 Their deep foundations, and the base inclosed, 
 As from an elbow of the embracing arm 
 Of that calm vale, — escaped the extended plain, 355 
 
 A verdant level. At a mountain's foot, 
 A man, clothed in a linen vest, reposed. 
 Having a writer's inkhorn by his side ; 
 And on his thigh he wrote. A book of skin 
 Spread on the grassy slope, and upon tile 360 
 
 His ready pencil its contents transcribed ; 
 — O'ershadowed from the day's increasing heat. 
 By a tall Plantain ; that was planted there 
 By Nature's self, upon the mountain's side. 
 Just by a river's source. And round about 365 
 
 Were Maples, Elms, and Cedars — shelter meet. 
 Not for man only, but for beast, and bird ; 
 Their very boughs, how fitted for the grasp 
 Of the plumed groups ; that in their foliage hide, 
 And nestle ; guarded from the heat of noon, 370 
 
 And the night-chills ; they, and their tender young. 
 
 ' Tamiel,' said Noah, ' wherefore dost thou here ?' — 
 Him answered thus the Scribe, ' Behold, and read.' 
 The Prophet then the Words of Enoch read, 374 
 
 And wondered, and enquired, ' Why writest thou this ? ' 
 Then thus the Scribe — 
 
 ' Mine office is to do. 
 Not speak ; yet, Prophet, will I speak to thee, 
 Por thou art worthy, and thine eye hath power. 
 
22 LAND OF EDEIT. 
 
 — Smitten ■with teen comdction, young Zateel, 
 
 Turned to the tents of Seth, hath, from the mouth 380 
 
 Of patriarchal wisdom, truth imbibed. 
 
 Through faith receired, and blest with Zerah's love ; 
 
 Zerah, of Lameeh old the youngest child. 
 
 Thy sister, Noah ; and they spake of Enoch, 
 
 Whom, iu the prime of life, the eternal Grod 385 
 
 £apt from the sinful earth. — ' His spirit bides : 
 
 His Prophecy is written,' Lameeh said ; 
 
 ' The Book is as a spark that none may quench.' 
 
 ' But who,' said old Methuselah, ' shall compel 
 
 Vaiu man to turn thereon reluctant eye ? 390 
 
 To take the enduring spark into his soul. 
 
 And kindle up the vision of his mind ? ' 
 
 — Then cried Zateel, ' Young am I ; may I speak ? 
 
 Por multitude of years should ever teach. 
 
 Shall I give utterance to the spirit within me ? 395 
 
 And to the inspiring wish wherewith I burn ? 
 
 Give me the Book. ' — And he went forth therewith, 
 
 An.d to my hand transferred, and gave in charge 
 
 What now I do ; that, on this day of sport, 
 
 Hallowed to nobler purposes, the sons 400 
 
 Of foUy, haply, may be lured to pause. 
 
 Curious, and questioning ; when unto each 
 
 The Words of Enoch on the tile impressed 
 
 I give, that it may be to them for good. 
 
 Or evil. And Elihu, here with me, 405 
 
 The best, and youngest of thy Father's Sons, 
 
 Is miuistrant upon this embassy ; 
 
 And even now has followed, with the Writ, 
 
 A Scomer, to win from him by mild words 
 
 Acceptance.' 
 
 ' Grod, Elihu, thee reward ;' 410 
 
 Said Noah ; ' and mayst thou, Zateel, rejoice. 
 In the bride of thy youth ; worthy art thou 
 Of Lamech's daughter. No ill-mated pair 
 
ELIHU, AND SODI. 23 
 
 Will thou, and Zerah be, as some have been, 
 
 "Whence the gigantic brood of force, and fraud — 415 
 
 Rise, Tamiel, come ; and bring the Book along. 
 
 I'll shout the "Words of Enoch in their ears : 
 
 Tea, I will also prophesy : and thou 
 
 "Write down my words, and add them unto his ; 
 
 That they, who hear not, may behold. His voice, 420 
 
 Prom heaven, shall speak to them ; and mine, on earth.' 
 
 The Scribe obeyed, and rose, and girt his loins ; 
 And all, together, left the shaded hiU, 
 Tet, even along the public road, awhile 
 "Walked by a leafy border ; for the sides 425 
 
 "Were fringed with Chestnut, beautiful of wood, 
 Lovely of leaf, sublime of attitude. 
 Crowded with fruit, immingled with the pomp 
 Of "Walnut trees ; a forest avenue. 
 
 Here by Elihu were they met, returning 430 
 
 From his religious errand, warm with zeal. 
 And blushing in the beauty of his youth, 
 Beaming ingenuous grace. Noah embraced 
 His brother, youngest, dearest ; and, with tears, 
 His work applauded. Brief discourse then had 435 
 
 Of what himself designed, to him replied 
 Elihu, the most lovely. 
 
 'Take the Book, 
 Eor witness to the people, thou, and Tamiel ; 
 I shrine the Law of Him whose Name is in me, 
 On fleshly Tables, in this Ark, my Heart — 440 
 
 Nor do I hold in vain the ready pen 
 Of the instructed Scribe ; then well may I 
 His place assume, and to the passer give, 
 "Writ by this hand, from faithful memory, 
 The Laws of Love, and Duty. To your tasks ; 445 
 
 And I'U to mine.' 
 
 So, gladsome, parted they : — 
 
24 LAND OF EDEK. 
 
 Elihu, the most lovely — how lovely 
 
 EKhu was, hoar Lamech, in thine eyes — 
 
 A happy father, Lamech, whenso he 
 
 Looted on EHhu, worn with woe before — 450 
 
 Elihu, the most lovely, on his way 
 
 Eejoiciag went. 
 
 Whom meets he now ? A friend — 
 Tet not with friendly cheer ; ... for, in strange guise 
 Of gladiator, scarce is recognized 
 The playmate of his boyhood. 
 
 ' Whither hence, 455 
 
 Son of the Son of sage Methuselah, 
 Heir of the living Patriarch, Sodi ; thus. 
 And now, even on this day of holy rest ? ' 
 
 ' Of holy rest ? ' said Sodi ; ' better taught 
 Than once, I Imow — I wish — no day of rest. 4G0 
 
 Labour achieved, fit sequent sport relax 
 Thought toilsome, and perplexed with doubt.' 
 
 ' Eaith clears,' 
 Elihu said, ' the drumly stream of doubt.' 
 
 ' I have no Eaith,' cried Sodi. 
 
 ' Woe is me,' 
 Elihu then, — ' art thou apostate grown ? 465 
 
 O, for this day suspend thy purposed sport, 
 And in repose of miad, and sabbath calm, 
 Find Reason for thy Eaith ; and Eaith vrill flower 
 Upon that stem, a voluntary crown.' 
 
 ' No rest — no rest — my soul may know no rest :' 470 
 
 Said Sodi then ; ' for Edna beautiful. 
 Daughter of Enoch's widow — (weU I deem. 
 Him dead, and not translate) — hath scorned the suit 
 Of this sad heart. No pause — lest I should think. 
 And think of her. So to the children, now, 475 
 
 Of men I turn ; and, in their whirlwind joys. 
 Make shipwreck of remembrance. I would die 
 Unto my former life, and live a new.' 
 
ELIHTT, AND SODI. 25 
 
 Then o'er Elihu's brow, thoiigli lovelily, 
 Virtue passed grave as thought, and ploughed a frown, 480 
 Like to a wrinkle as of age, yet not 
 Impairing or his youth, or loveliness ; 
 "While thus, in words weU-weighed, he counsel gave : — 
 
 ' I have known sorrow ; for to me hath grief 
 Descended from my Father. What wouldst thou ? 485 
 Pour out thy heart to God — as then I did, 
 What time Hope died within me, looking fixed 
 Upon the State of Man ; so framed my heart. 
 For public ill to grieve it ; as is thine, 
 To mourn thy own. — 
 
 ' It was a Sabbath-mom : 490 
 
 Behind the Wild where Grod once Adam made. 
 Praying, I knelt ; my face hid in my hands ; 
 For I was keeping of my Father's flocks ; 
 When, raising thus my brow, behold, I saw 
 A cluster, as of flowers dropped from the sun, 495 
 
 Spring upward from a root that had been dead. 
 Last night they were not there ; but now they shone 
 In Heaven's great Eye, as its earth-images, 
 A glorious family. With wonder touched, 
 I hailed the yearly miracle, and blessed 500 
 
 The floral resurrection. Nigh I drew : 
 'Twas but as 'twere the entrance to a Grove 
 Of thorn, and thistle, and like prickly plants. 
 Briar, and bramble, and deciduous shrub. 
 There put the Cistus evergreen its bloom 505 
 
 Out at the dawn ; to perish ere eve come ; 
 But, on the morrow, fresh renewed to boast 
 A constant crovra in sure succession worn. 
 — Making, with either hand, a middle path. 
 All Sun-flowers I passed through ; the wiEow-leaved, 510 
 The spear-shaped, with the giant, and the dwarf — 
 Profusely set in either hedge ; with Sloe, 
 WUd Plum, and Cherry ; some in bloom, some fruit. 
 
26 LAND Of BDEN. 
 
 Some with white berries, like the Hawthorn ; some 
 
 "With red embellished ; some with Lily decked ; 515 
 
 Some white of leaf, with flower of yellow crowned. 
 
 At length, I near approached a natural Bower, 
 
 WUdly arranged, and by no human art ; 
 
 All Eoses — white and red, or pale or deep, 
 
 Both few and many leaved ; Cinnamon, 520 
 
 Musk Bose, and pendant Eglantine ; and all 
 
 "Wonderful in their beauty. Glorious show 
 
 Of breathing luxury, and conscious love, 
 
 "Warmed into blushes by the Seraph's kiss, 
 
 "Whose ardent Spirit manifests the sun. 525 
 
 I entered : — in. the midst an Altar seemed 
 
 Blended of sensitive A.cacias — 
 
 The grey smooth trunks rose joyaunt, to support 
 
 Those many flowers, each like a little globe, 
 
 And all endowed with feeling, and quick life ; 530 
 
 And, verily, it was a sentient shrine. 
 
 That from profane adorer shrank away. 
 
 — "Would it from me, who had apart retired, 
 
 To voluntary commerce vrith my Grod, 
 
 Even from my Mother's womb ? Oh in its life, 535 
 
 Life I beheld. It was, even as I was — 
 
 And felt, even as I felt. Its sense might say, 
 
 Methought, as mine might — though in voice more soft, 
 
 So soft that Angels were sole audience fit — 
 
 ' I AM : ' and boast itself ' an Image there, 540 
 
 An Echo of the Eternal ; Being true.' 
 
 'Twas as an Oracle to me ; whence, trembling, 
 
 I laid my hand upon it ; that it might 
 
 Admonish me, my presence there was known ; 
 
 And I might question it, in thought ; and thence, 545 
 
 In thought, receive responses. Lo, at once, 
 
 Appeared a queenly Shape behind that shrine, 
 
 Eemale of form, in beauty masculine, 
 
 So lovelHy majestic, that no words 
 
ELIHU, AND SODI. 27 
 
 Can paint her, nought of womankind compare.' 550 
 
 Blihu paused in transport. Sodi, then. 
 Cried,— 'Was it Edna?' 
 
 Then Elihu said : 
 ' No mortal Name, but Wisdom's very self; 
 I saw — I loved — ^but was too dazed to woo. 
 ' Fear not,' said she, ' I come to be your Bride. 555 
 
 Of old, was my delight among the Sons 
 Of Adam ; and, with Cain, and Abel both, 
 I the Beginning of His Way discoursed, 
 "Who is from Everlasting. Thou hast heard, 
 How Cain from me in anger went astray ; 560 
 
 And, with the Voice of Blood 'gainst him that cried, 
 I soared to Heaven. But Heaven is in the Heart 
 Of aU the Pious. Thou hast felt me there ; 
 And where Self-conscious Being is, am I. 
 Thou art: lam. And thou shalt wed with me, 565 
 
 Over this living Altar.' Straight with this. 
 She reached her royal hand that Altar o'er. 
 And placed it within mine ; the other she raised, 
 Sky-ward ; and solemnly pronounced her vow : 
 ' True as God liveth, I am ever thine." 570 
 
 ' What then ? ' asked Sodi. 
 
 Thus Ehhu spake : 
 ' My sense swam blind, . . and when I looked again, 
 I was alone — the Blessed One had gone.' 
 
 Then Sodi laughed. 
 
 ' No visionary Form ; 
 I want the real Edna — not a dream. 575 
 
 Hence to the Life where occupation is, 
 That drives out thought. There Wisdom may be found. 
 True Wisdom . . that abides, and may be known . . 
 Such Wisdom as in Amazarah lives. 
 
 Queen of the City of the WUdemess, 580 
 
 Wisest of women ; and the fairest, too. 
 Of all Cain's daughters ; whom the Sons of Seth, 
 
28 LAND or EDEN. 
 
 Such as have grown to knowledge, with the tribes 
 
 Of men, in Samiasa's Capitol 
 
 Obey. Me rules her magic sway henceforth. $85 
 
 The Games await me. Loose me : let me go.' 
 
 Bad Sodi from his bosom the embrace 
 Of good Blihu cast; and left him there, 
 A weeping statue. Long he wept ; then, prayed ; 
 And peace called to his spirit, and was calm— 590 
 
 Next, hastened to the spot where Tamiel sate. 
 Performing there the office of the Scribe. 
 
 III. 
 
 Tamiel, meanwhile, and Noah, and his Sons, 
 "Went, through that shaded avenue, their way. 
 And now into the plain they had immerged : 595 
 
 But, as they skirted the last trees that closed, 
 On either side, the woody screen — behold — 
 A sheet of Hght, broad as a cataract, 
 Fell, like a river from the expanded sky. 
 Upon their heads ; nay, flooded the whole air 600 
 
 Wherein they stood. So they were dazzled all ; 
 And, smitten to the earth, adoring, lay. 
 Then, having prayed, they cautiously reUft 
 Their fearful eyes ; the light had vanished thence. 
 And round them only was the common day — 605 
 
 Tamiel the Scribe ; vrith Japhet, Shem, and Ham ; 
 But Noah was not. 
 
 To their feet they sprang. 
 In wonder. Had he melted into earth. 
 Dissolved ia that dread flash ? Unseen by them. 
 An Angel had descended, and upborne 610 
 
 The Prophet ; on far other business bound. 
 Than what himself designed. But, ignorant 
 Of the Divine appointment, and amazed. 
 His Sons with sorrow stand ; unknowing where 
 Their Sire to seek. Erelong, advancing nigh, 615 
 
SOB'S OF NOAH. 29 
 
 Behold Zateel ; and, now by them addressed, 
 
 Reports, that not by Adam's Sepulchre 
 
 "Was Noah, nor about the populous plain 
 
 Had been beheld ; and, at his counsel, they 
 
 Turn back, that to the household they may tell 620 
 
 What had so strangely chanced. So they return. 
 
 Groups met them on their way ; groups, keen intent 
 On Sabbath sport : some mocking, as they read 
 What them EUhu, as they passed, had given. 
 Anon, they came, where he was seated too, 625 
 
 And uttered their lament ; and soon his heart 
 With sympathy was throbbing, and he rose. 
 Companion of their griefs. So home they bent, 
 Anticipating all their mother's woe. 
 
 Now saw they Chava, sitting at the door ; 630 
 
 She greeted them with smiles. 
 
 ' Needs not,' said she, 
 ' To tell me of bereavement. In a dream. 
 Our God hath shewn me all. Be of good cheer. 
 He for your Father hath decreed a work 
 In grace abounding, though in darkness veiled.' 6.S5 
 
 In matron calm, sate Chava, as she spake. 
 And stately beauty ; for her mien was grave 
 With Eve-like majesty ; her serious brow 
 Was like a marble Virtue, broad and high, 
 With sentiments of Chastity inscribed, 640 
 
 In lines of solemn thought. Zateel she saw. 
 And welcomed. 
 
 ' Stranger, hail ; not all unkno%vn. 
 Since told by Zerah yesterday of thee. 
 In visit brief; . . beloved by her, to us 
 Is dear : — and for her sake, I fain would know 645 
 
 More of thy story.' 
 
 Then Zateel replied : — 
 ' Bom of the line of Cain, yet well-redeemed. 
 By mother, but by father come of Seth, 
 
30 LAND OF EDEN. 
 
 Under the sway of Samiasa long 
 
 I lived, beneath parental roof; nor past 650 
 
 Idly my days : I was a child of thought, 
 
 And not unnoticed by the thoughtful Mng, 
 
 Who heard, how in that gorgeous capitol, 
 
 Mid palaces, and temples, I had fed 
 
 My eye's poetic wonder, and had reared 655 
 
 My miad to manhood, and sublime regards. 
 
 Thence called to court, that monarch's eloquence 
 
 Inflamed my soul, and urged her upward flight. 
 
 Together often, we would read the stars, 
 
 Or, to the earth returning, speculate 660 
 
 On what like them was splendid, and aloft. 
 
 In nature, and iu man, and, chiefly, what 
 
 Asserted union with the most divine. 
 
 — For Cain, when from the presence of the Lord, 
 
 As iu the faces of the Cherubim 665 
 
 Illustrate, to the land of Naid he fled ; 
 
 Thereof, weU as he might, his angry mind. 
 
 And conscience still implacable to soothe, 
 
 Resemblance made, and Teraphim before 
 
 Bowed down and worshipped ; feeling what his need 670 
 
 Of highest aid, who had so deeply sinned ; 
 
 Tet, doomed to labour, could not raise his soul 
 
 To finer contemplation ; and to him 
 
 These were as gods. Such gods his children carved, 
 
 Improving in the arts of diligenee, 675 
 
 Of airier mould, of more celestial mien 
 
 Inventive ; proud of their mechanic skill ; 
 
 And of their benefactours statues made, 
 
 And had them in remembrance, and adored 
 
 As demigods. Such false religion brought 680 
 
 (Seduciug Adon first, by vriles of love,) 
 
 Proud Amazarah to the tents of Seth ; 
 
 Whose sons apostate on the cunning work 
 
 Gazed, wondering ; and worshipped, ignorant 
 
SONS OF HOAH. 31 
 
 Of aught beyond. In superstitious fear, G85 
 
 Grew up the mixed race : and hireling priests 
 
 Inshrined as gods the effigies of men ; 
 
 And, for their temples, reared them pyramids, 
 
 Eesembliug that mysterious Cone of Pire, 
 
 And Cloud, which spheres the Hviag Cherubim ; 690 
 
 Who keep the passage of the Tree of Lives, 
 
 Lest Man, become in knowledge like to God, 
 
 Knowing both good and evil, factious, grow 
 
 Immortal in a world of sin, and death 
 
 Ope not the gate to knowledge pure, and free. 695 
 
 — Soon Samiasa's penetrating thought 
 
 TTnveiled the mystery of idolatry, 
 
 Imparting still to me whate'er he knew. 
 
 Burned he with deed heroic to deserve 
 
 Honour divine ? . . yea, in heroic deed 700 
 
 Surpassed all predecessors, earthly gods. 
 
 Till they became, as they had never been. 
 
 Forgotten, and the god alone were he ; 
 
 Save that his filial piety preserved 
 
 The memory of his Sire, . . slain by the scorn 705 
 
 Of wedded Amazarah, then adored — 
 
 Apostate Adon. Oft, too, from the tents 
 
 Of Seth, would come a missioned preacher forth 
 
 Of righteousness ; to testify of One, 
 
 God of all gods, . . Jehovah, . . over all. 710 
 
 — Anon, he did appoint a solemn day; 
 
 And at his bidding many peoples came, 
 
 With tributary kings, and royal slaves. 
 
 Chariots, and horsemen ; warriours old, and young — 
 
 The bond, and free — a universal host — 715 
 
 To look on him whose image they adored 
 
 Within the Temple of the Pyramis. 
 
 The Car, by consecrated Steeds conveyed. 
 
 Awaited the humanity divine 
 
 Of that great Word, who, for his glory, had 720 
 
32 LAND OF EDETT. 
 
 A City, and a Country, -with his lip 
 
 Established. Forth he came ; and that large scene, 
 
 A populous Ocean, heaving sumless waves, 
 
 Passed into his majestic soul with more 
 
 Of majesty ; and vaunting speech he spake : — 725 
 
 Then fell from heaven a Voice, a thunder-peal — 
 
 An Angel's arm was visibly beheld, 
 
 In eloquent action, stretched from out the sky. 
 
 Heaven opened, and then shut . . and all was still. 
 
 — A pause of wonder. Horrour came on all — 730 
 
 But chief on him. O change, for prone at once 
 
 He sank ; now beast ; in sorrow, and in shame, 
 
 Eemote ; from human dwelling banished far ; 
 
 Within the Desart of Dudael hid, 
 
 TJntil the times be finished of his doom. 735 
 
 — Heavily weighed this wonder on my mind. 
 
 And soon I saw the truth, and much my heart 
 
 "Was .wearied to behold, how ill his realms, 
 
 During this alienation of the King, 
 
 His Mother, Amazarah, and her Son, 740. 
 
 Azaradel, had swayed, and yet misrule. 
 
 Hence sought I solace in this vale of peace ; 
 
 Beautiful Armon ; Arbours consecrate 
 
 To ancient piety ; where patriarchs dwell. 
 
 In humble state ; oldest Methuselah, 745 
 
 And Lamech, and the sage Noachidse.' 
 
 Here paused Zateel, his tale of marvel ended. 
 
 ' Ah me,' said Ohava then : ' Each from his house, 
 Shem, Ham, and Japhet, in this trial-time, 749 
 
 Come, with their Brides, to guard their father's hearth ; 
 Living but for one purpose, with intense 
 And common interest, waiting for the End, 
 And to the world's afiairs indifferent. 
 What is to them the wealth of herds, and flocks, 
 Or house, or land, or social garniture, 755 
 
 Within doors, or without, doomed soon to cease ? 
 
SONS OF NOAH. 33 
 
 Devote to God, obedient to his word, 
 
 The ministers of judgement to mankind : 
 
 Service sublime, but awful ; thrilling them 
 
 "With the stUl horrour, that o'erwhelms the soul, 760 
 
 Inspired with resolution terrible ; 
 
 Or rapture, wrought to tears of ecstasy. 
 
 — Te know not of their feelings, who ne'er heard 
 
 The voice of God ; ne'er woxind the spirit's chords 
 
 To such high pitch of heavenly harmony, 765 
 
 As may that sacrifice of self sustain, 
 
 Of all heroic virtues painfiillest, 
 
 "Wbich deeds of high emprise, and duties hard 
 
 To flesh and blood, demand of pious minds. 
 
 But chief to woman's heart, to pity's touch 770 
 
 Made tender as the eye-baJl, — is the thought 
 
 Of thine approaching destiny, world ; 
 
 Of power to break, if elevated not 
 
 Above regards of earth, and mortal things.' 
 
 Thus Chava spake ; and rose, severely sad ; 775 
 
 And led, in silent gravity, her guests 
 "Within her hospitable porch ; thence, to 
 A chamber, wherein sate, in serious talk, 
 Espoused to her three Sons, three Virgins fair. 
 
 'Twas by divine command, that Noah bade 780 
 
 His Sons take "Wives unto them, from among 
 The most devout of Armon's sainted maids. 
 — Long, Japhet, hadst thou loved Ahama weU ; 
 Dear as the piercing ether of those orbs. 
 That in her form created beauty first, 785 
 
 By giving knowledge, to the gazing heart. 
 Of image shadowing so well the dream 
 Of vernal fancy — child of young desire. 
 — Bom of the tribe of Enoch, in her soul 
 "Was memory of that immortal hope, 790 
 
 "Which his translation shed o'er all his race, 
 
34 LAND OP EDEN. 
 
 And set them holily apart for heaven, 
 
 As worthy of their sire. Ahola, too, 
 
 And Leilah, the espoused of Ham, and Shem ; 
 
 Lovely, and passing beautifiil, were they, 795 
 
 Of Seth's race, and of Jared's, pure, unmixed ; 
 
 Daughters, and sons of God, their parentage ; 
 
 Kt brides for the Restorers of the "World — 
 
 High characters, beyond what ever yet. 
 
 In poem, or in drama, were set forth, 800 
 
 Por precept, or example ; persons high. 
 
 And wonderous past all wonder, worthiest 
 
 Of holiest song, and verse most numerous. 
 
 Tet hath no poet yet essayed the theme, 
 
 By its supernal greatness terrified ; 805 
 
 Nor now had I so dauntless seized the harp, 
 
 But that, O "Wisdom, to this argument 
 
 Thy voice incited me, while yet a child. 
 
 As once it came to Samuel, in the days 
 
 "When Open Vision was not, and the word 810 
 
 Of great Jehovah, seldom heard, was dear : 
 
 And I, like him, made answer, ' Here am I ;' 
 
 Tet wist not whence it came, and thrice deceived — 
 
 But now I know it rightly ; and, can say, 
 
 ' Speak, for thy servant heareth ;' and will now, 815 
 
 "Pot thus am I enjoined, tell every whit. 
 
 And nought from Eli hide, or Israel. 
 Me yet it doth befit not to portray. 
 
 In sensual wise, attractions feminine, 
 
 Though on my visions lovelily rise ye, 820 
 
 Leilah, Ahola, and Ahama fair. 
 
 And rather ye those graces would afiect 
 
 Invisible, belonging to the soul, 
 
 Than these which the voluptuary lauds. 
 
 These let the Cainite sing : but not for such 825 
 
 I dare the epic song, that sings of you, 
 
 And Noah's Sons j . . the piety of Shem ; 
 
SONS OF NOAH. 35 
 
 The zeal of Ham ; and Japhet's energy, 
 And skill. 
 
 Thou, Japhet ! wert enlarged, and thee 
 Did after-ages deify, and name 830 
 
 Oldest of things. Bard Homer was thy Son. 
 The benediction of thy Father's lips 
 Was on thee, like a birthright ; and of thee 
 Nations were bom, and peoples of all tongues. 
 Thou dweUedst in tents not thine. "War did thy work, 835 
 And peace, and He who is the Prince of Peace. 
 
 Visions were thine, wherein thy sculptile mind 
 Saw shadows of the future, sent by God, 
 And straight impressed them on chaotic mass. 
 As with a signet. To thy skiU divine, 840 
 
 (Such art was Terah's, too, in sequent time,) 
 The stoic marble was as potter's clay ; 
 Save that its sterner volume yielded not 
 To change, unequally diminishing 
 
 Harmonious symmetry, proportion bland, 845 
 
 Gompactiag solids, tiU the substance be 
 Conflict of dry, and moist, receding that, 
 And this remaining on the vantage ground. 
 Like parted friends turned mutual enemies. 
 — There, as they came from thy foreshewing hand, 850 
 
 As thy creative seal had shaped them first, 
 Pree from the infirmity of accident, 
 Stood they ; enduring forms, immutable. 
 
 Sublime in peace, and tranquil as a god, 
 Eeposing in his own beatitude, 855 
 
 Stood Brouma ; — on his forehead a bright star. 
 And in his quiet hand the bloodless spear, 
 Twined with the harmless serpent, as in sport, 
 Life in its eye intelligent. Nor free 
 The pedestal, but mystically wrought. 860 
 
 The three-fold serpent's animating clasp. 
 The mundane egg, the wonderous trident coiled, 
 
 d2 
 
36 TiASB OF EDEN. 
 
 And dipt the flambeau. Symbols these of Life, 
 
 And Death, and of two worlds, Ocean, and Earth ; 
 
 "With pyramid, and obelisk, between, 865 
 
 Like flame aspiring toward its source in Heaven. 
 
 Prom Nile to Ganges, — from the flood of Ind, 
 
 The bay of Ormus, to the Caspian lake — 
 
 "Was his dominion, with the Isles of Greece ; 
 
 Philosopher, and Hero. 
 
 Slave of slaves; 870 
 
 Galled with his chain, yet crafty as his sire ; 
 Ignoble ; vengeful, but not valiant ; nor 
 Plushed with the shame which valour would have felt, 
 (The freebom ;) smit to ground his ebon brow, 
 That veiled the demon scowl which, burning, lurked 875 
 "Within his bloodshot orbs, like death, unseen ; 
 The HeracUte, beneath a warrior's foot, 
 Crouched desperate : less than a worm in soul ; 
 Burrowing his dagger in the guilty loam, 
 Pearing to smite, and impotent to wound. 880 
 
 Far off appeared his buckler cloven in twain, 
 "With this inscription on one moiety, 
 ' Twice-fallen,' and on the other, ' Fugitive.' 
 — Prankt in the toga, stood the victor chief ; 
 A curved disdain upon his upper Hp, 885 
 
 Swoln anger in his nose ; while, on his crest. 
 The new-bathed eagle, as on mountain winds, 
 Vailed his broad vans, composed his fulmined beak, 
 And calmed that eje whence lightning had gone forth. 
 
 Lo, the Pellean Conquerour, who wept 890 
 
 For worlds to win. He at two Sages' feet 
 Heard wisdom, and drank-in the words of Truth ; 
 "Whose voice was as the Night bird-melodist's, 
 Strangled almost with its own melody, 
 Gurgling up sweetness till it satiate, 895 
 
 Creative of the mysteries of sound. 
 Of combiaations intricate, and strange ; 
 
SOKS, OF NOAH. 37 
 
 Nor these alone. There sate the "Warriour, 
 
 Pondering with awe upon the shadows vast, 
 
 Which, flashing on the mind's eye through the ear, 900 
 
 Were spoken, by the plastic energy 
 
 Of philosophic genius, into life — 
 
 And, like the Grenius of Philosophy, 
 
 Stood Plato eloquent. The marble spake ; 
 
 Those marble lips seemed uttering liquid speech : 905 
 
 And his broad forehead, conscious of the soul. 
 
 Dilated with conceptions, and confessed 
 
 Power to make worlds, how populous"; . . wherein 
 
 The pupil hero might indeed enact 
 
 Perpetual conquest. Lo, the incipient spark 910 
 
 Kindled in his ambitious heart, and it 
 
 Heaved ; and all arteries were inflamed — all nerves 
 
 Braced, like bowstrings ; each muscle swoln to pain ; 
 
 The foot advanced — one steel-clenched fist grasped air, 
 
 The other clutched with violence his brows. 915 
 
 Hence, when his introverted eye returned 
 
 To this gross world, it paUed upon his soul. 
 
 Deficient in variety, and change. 
 
 To satisfy the essential cravings there. 
 
 The thirst, the hunger of the immortal mind, 920 
 
 Capacious of the Universe, and God. 
 
 White as the foam, the billowy marble heaves ; 
 Waves climb in wrath the beetling rock as white, 
 But, checked, anon retire. A Lion there 
 Awed Neptune's wUdness, and the maiden Queen, 925 
 
 He guarded on the summit, royally 
 Disputed his dominion, and opposed 
 Her sceptre to his trident. At her feet 
 A Virgin sate, and from the Ocean-god 
 Took tribute. AU the pedestal was wrought 930 
 
 With surge — sea without shore ; and thereon sailed, 
 Brave as an amazon, and bejj.utifu.1. 
 Her bosom teeming with intrepid birth. 
 
38 LAUD or EDEN. 
 
 A lonely Ship, in soTran loneliness ; 
 
 ' Vasco,' the legend on her prow inscribed. 936 
 
 Her course was toward the orient, and the sun 
 
 Eose in the far horizon, Kke a shield. 
 
 What further might he sculptured none perceived ; 
 
 Obvious the front, the niche inclosed the rest. 
 
 Around the chamber where they stood, were raised 940 
 The Sculptures of thy hand — unfinished One — 
 A work prophetic of the Wonderful, 
 That Prince of Peace, whose fire should in far time 
 Descend on his strong race, baptizing them 
 With heavenly power, to win the holy seats. 945 
 
 On them gazed Tamiel, and Zateel, awhile. 
 And wise communion with their Artist held ; 
 WbUe Chava, and her Daughters beautiful, 
 Prepared, for travel, with them, to the tents 
 Of Lamech, and the sage Methuselah ; 950 
 
 Afar within the valley ; to consult 
 Of Noah's absence, and provision make, 
 Tor what might foUow, in a time of fear. 
 
 IV. 
 
 So through the Vale of Armon forth they went ; 
 
 And Ardis looked down on them from above. 955 
 
 The primal race dwelt on that mountain's top. 
 
 By Adam, from his Son born after Seth, 
 
 Called Ardis. The next age, the peopled sides 
 
 Prom Armon, their first dweller, name received. 
 
 Whence, too, the Vale and Stream therefrom that flowed. 
 
 Of these discoursed the Pilgrims — Chava sage, 
 And Japhet, Shem, and Ham ; Ahola fair, 
 And Leilah, and Ahama ; and Zateel, 
 Whose wondering praises charactered the road. 
 
 The race of Seth dwelt on the moxmtain-top, 965 
 
 With Ardis ; and no cover needed then, 
 
TALE OF AEMON. 39 
 
 Native to the pure air, the Sons of God, 
 
 Till tempted to their fall. "With Armon too, 
 
 The pious seed of Enosh made abode 
 
 Upon the hill's descent. Then 'gan the tribes 970 
 
 Of men to take possession of the earth, 
 
 And Cainan on its slopes a village wrought. 
 
 Anon, the vale was peopled ; and his Son, 
 
 Mahalaleel, fair tabernacle raised, 
 
 Tor residence, and worship ; and prepared 975 
 
 "Way for dominion in the minds of men' — 
 
 Tar in the region, distant from the rest, 
 
 Need was, for Jared's kingly race, should be 
 
 Eair habitations found. A capitol. 
 
 In midst of that wide country, so his sire 980 
 
 Established, and there prideless rule he held, 
 
 Eeligiously derived. But Enoch bent 
 
 His soul to contemplation, and had built 
 
 His City in the skies ; yet to his Son 
 
 Direction left, who, at that vale's extreme, 985 
 
 Made for his progeny a resting place. 
 
 The homesteads of Methuselah, who now 
 
 Beigns patriarch of all the tribes about. 
 
 Thus occupied the vale, scant room was left 
 
 Eor Lamech's offspring ; and beyond the bounds, 990 
 
 And over other hiUs, by other streams, 
 
 And in far other vales, he was compelled 
 
 To win fit dwelling for his numerous race ; — 
 
 Tet named from Armon stiU — Hard toilsome lot, 
 
 "With Noah shared, his Son ; till in due time, 995 
 
 Himself a father, Noah, warned by God, 
 
 His household nigh to Paradise removed. 
 
 That, on the guarded mount, and within charge 
 
 Of the Cherubic terrour, he might build 
 
 The appointed Ark, the Eefiige of the World. 1000 
 
 Eair is the Mom on Armon ; fair, and bright 
 
 The woods in loveliest bloom, the islet lakes, 
 
40 LAND OF EBElf. 
 
 Or isleless, 'mid her mountains, sweetly clear. 
 
 And beautiful the crests of hill, and rock. 
 
 Eagle, and Vulture ; with the Hawk, and Kite ; 1005 
 
 There make their homes, sublimest eyeries ; 
 
 And oft from cliff o'er chasm do shoot, and shriek, 
 
 Or, circling in the sky, with scornful soar. 
 
 Abysses spurn whence giddy fancy shrinks, 
 
 Exulting in the daylight as it grows ; 1010 
 
 While o'er the gentler uplands, flower-bestrewn, 
 
 The Bee of blossoms fresh unfolded there, 
 
 With buzzing murmur, provident enquiries. 
 
 Where to alight, nor stir the tender bloom. 
 
 Grand is the Noon on Armon ; passing grand, 1015 
 
 And glorious, pride of day. There silence reigns 
 
 Profound, and solitude magnificent ; 
 
 Wherein the lapse of waters musical. 
 
 The fall of far-off rivers, solemn sound, 
 
 Heard by lone echo, hill, and vale repeat. 1 020 
 
 So deep the awe attends thee, when, O Sun; 
 
 As o'er the crown of some triumphal arch ; 
 
 Centre of sky, thou reinest thy rampant steeds, 
 
 And stayest thy chariot, pausing as for state. 
 
 Majestic Warriour, radiant all in arms. 1025 
 
 — And what more wonderous hast thou to behold. 
 
 All-seeing Titan, o'er the daedal earth, 
 
 Than That which on the side of Paradise, 
 
 The Cherub-guarded Mount, in great repose 
 
 Awaiting its commission, rises huge ? 1030 
 
 More sacred, and august, in its design, 
 
 Than ruined Tower in solemn state of years. 
 
 Where save the Owl nought dwells, once lordly seat. 
 
 Or princely, now by age, and long decay. 
 
 With moss, and ivy, on its wall, and roof, 1035 
 
 Hallowed, and sanctified ; or ancient G-rove, 
 
 Once holy place, with branches overgrown, 
 
 Hiding all glimpse of day, or starry night ; 
 
TAI,E OP AEMON. 41 
 
 And holy still ; yea, holier than before, 
 
 To the Poetic Soul* which apprehends, 1040 
 
 In that capacious shade, at noon-tide, met, 
 
 Shapes of high phantasy, to celebrate 
 
 Mysterious worship, altar undisturbed. 
 
 — More sacred, and august, the appointed Ark, 
 
 With more associations dignified ; 1045 
 
 A Temple it ; and of all temples since, 
 
 Sign, and precursor ; thus ordained, to save 
 
 A world from ruin, and restore mankind. 
 
 Gradual, even like the forests whence the beams 
 Were taken that composed its massy frame, 1050 
 
 It rose, by labour reared. Nor were they few, 
 Who toiled upon the God-appointed work ; 
 Chief Noah, and his sons, and them besides 
 The numerous progeny, not yet depraved. 
 Of old Methuselah, and Lamech's tribes, 1055 
 
 The brethren of the prophet, still submiss 
 To patriarchal sway. So was the pile 
 Completed, and now stood a monument 
 Of perseverance, and of faith divine ; 
 Prepared, and daily seasoned, to endure 1000 
 
 The wear its destined service must await. 
 So midst the woods it grew, itself a wood ; 
 And, to prophetic vision, magnified 
 With light more glorious than of sun, or moon ; 
 Though glorious they, when, in the leafy trees, 1065 
 
 They kindle up an unconsuming fire, 
 At mom, or summer eve, serene, and calm. 
 And beautiful as a redeemed soul. 
 
 Sweet is the twilight Eve in Axmon's vale. 
 Sweet, lovely, tranquil ; sometimes, darkly throned, 1070 
 And oft refulgent : soft the western wiad, 
 Floating white clouds through silent depths of blue, 
 
 * See Wordsworth's ' Yews of Borrowdale.' 
 
42 LAND OP EDE2!r. 
 
 O'er Mils, and haunts secluded ; wLere the voice 
 
 Of waters murmurs with the bleat of Lamhs, 
 
 And, from the fungous hollow of old oak, 1075 
 
 The Hvely Squirrel starts, pleased with the songs, 
 
 From thicket gushiag, of the pious Birds ; 
 
 Homage, and pageant, duteous to the hour 
 
 Of sunset. WeU. the Shaphan loves the time — 
 
 Out from the blooming furze she comes, and brings 1080 
 
 Her red-eyed young, wont to go forth by bands. 
 
 Dwellers of rock, and mountain ; on the crag 
 
 They gambol, cropping else the herbage sweet, 
 
 Or ruminate awhile, ere they retire 
 
 To shelter. And on high the shrieking Gull 1085 
 
 Wings to her home, upon another coast. 
 
 Ocean beyond . . threading for this ravine, 
 
 And rugged cleft, and torrent brawling there. 
 
 Undaunted in her flight. All things are now 
 
 Conscious of Eve : the circling clamorous Book, 1090 
 
 Presh from his favourite trees ; the quiet Deer 
 
 Leaving his lair, on open heath to take 
 
 A lingering farewell of the parting Hght : 
 
 And on the dizzy cliff of his repose 
 
 The Osprey worships ere he sinks to sleep. 1095 
 
 — So sets the sun adored, to rosy couch 
 
 Departed from the hUl : ; . whereover, now. 
 
 Veiled with thin clouds, the guardian eyes of heaven. 
 
 Unnumbered watchers, in the dusky Night, ■ 
 
 Not dark, look gracious through the placid air ; 1100 
 
 As listening to the current lowly toned 
 
 Of rivers, whilst, in native motion, they 
 
 Make stilly music, not inaudible, 
 
 Tet deepening silence, and itself scarce more 
 
 Than the unheard music of the distant stars. 1105 
 
 Pair o'er the Vale of Armon walks the Moon 
 In brightness ; and on flowers, and streams, and hills, 
 Mings beauteous radiance from her ample orb, 
 
VALE OF ABMOK. 43 
 
 Streaking with silver lines the swarthy night — 
 
 Till, grey with age, herself foreshew her death ; 1110 
 
 The resurrection of another day, 
 
 As yet but hoped for . . like a coming joy, 
 
 Subsisting in desire . . as do the souls 
 
 In Hades, tiU. with risen flesh reclothed. 
 
 But not at mom, or noon, or sunset eve, 1115 
 
 Or starry night, comes Noah — borne on high. 
 By power divine, from evU far away. 
 — In adoration, he had heard the song, 
 The angelic harmony within his soul. 
 And felt it lifted up, as if with wings. 1120 
 
 Thus was Elijah borne from Ahab's hand, 
 "Whence Obadiah's fear — him carried thus, 
 Whither none knew, the Spirit of the Lord. 
 And he, and Enoch thus were rapt at last — 
 Not into heaven, for thence they came not down — 1125 
 But into heavenly dwellings, chosen saints, 
 "Who death have never tasted, and shall come, 
 (So theologians argue,) to restore 
 AU things ; the two prophetic witnesses. 
 Preceding Second Advent of the Christ. 1130 
 
 And none knew whither Noah had been borne. 
 Of all in Armon. Still the marvel ran. 
 And wild conjecture ; laughter, and loud mirth, 
 "With the profane ; and to the pious fear. 
 And apprehension — ignorant what cause 1135 
 
 Man of his sabbath caution had deprived. 
 Since the last morning of the day of rest. 
 — To me revealed by him, Antient of Days, 
 "Who hath baptized me with the gift of song. 
 And grace to sing this theme ; . . at first a spark 1140 
 
 Deep buried in my soul, then blazed abroad, 
 "Wakening a spirit able to support, 
 Even to the end, the energy of faith. 
 — Thus grows in forest huge the circling fire, 
 
44 lAND OF EDEN. 
 
 And, in the attenuate air sublime, creates 1145 
 
 A gradual wind, increasing more and more, 
 
 TiQ in the woods a hurricane careers, 
 
 Wild, detonating, crashing, peal on peal, 
 
 Loud, and incessant thunder : heard afar 
 
 By settler, musing at the smoky gloom, 1 150 
 
 Thickening the atmosphere ; but soon alarmed. 
 
 With an impetuous Ocean all aflame. 
 
 On high above the tops of loftiest trees. 
 
 Cherubic biUows — terrible as Love ! 
 
 END OF FIEST BOOK. 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 
 
 I. 
 
 Eastwaed of Eden, lies the Land of Naid ; 
 Where Cain of old the City of Enos built. 
 Patriarch of Enos, now, was Tubalcain ; 
 Of each expert Artificer in brass, 
 
 And iron, whence of keener edge were wrought 5 
 
 "Weapons of war, and implements of toU, 
 Instructor ; royal then, and since diviae. 
 And of his state partook his Sister fair, 
 Naamah, vain, whence told, ia after time, 
 Of Vulcan and of Yenus fables lewd : 10 
 
 ZiUah their mother, one of Lamech's wives ; 
 — The other Adah, who bare Jubal, sire 
 Of such as dwelt ia tents, and cattle owned, 
 And Jubal, sire of those who handled harp. 
 And organ ; — Lamech of the line of Cain, 15 
 
 Son of Methusael ; who was the son 
 Of Mehujael ; son of Irad ; son 
 Of Enos, he whose name the City bore. 
 Eor when his brother's blood had cried to heaven, 
 Cain's gracious Judge to him a token gave — 20 
 
 Por why should murther murther propagate. 
 Private, or social ? Vengeance is the Lord's ; 
 He wiR repay. Then, on a swift wild steed, 
 The first equestrian, Cain with fear escaped 
 Erom human tents, and Abel's injured race ; 25 
 
 His mother's anguish, and his father's wrath ; 
 And reigned in Naid, sole tyrant, tiU his death. 
 Within the capitol that he had built. 
 And named of his son, Enos ; . . who, anon. 
 
46 THE BACE OF OAIN. 
 
 Over a race of strong, and mighty men, 30 
 
 Succeeded to his rule. Eooted in earth, 
 
 Their labour rigid grew, as grows the oak, 
 
 And spread its boughs abroad ; . . beneath whose shade 
 
 Erelong they dwelt, inventive of new arts, 
 
 Laborious arts, though giving grace to life, 35 
 
 And to false woman's beauty treble power 
 
 Of fascination, Kke the subtle snake's ; 
 
 That charmed the sons of God to union strange. 
 
 — "Whence men of strength, and science ; joining thus 
 
 The force of contemplation, with the might 40 
 
 Of quick observance, and experiment : 
 
 Empiricism, though gross, yet powerful 
 
 Nature to sway, society to form ; 
 
 But evil iu the end, and ruinous, 
 
 If true religion guide not, and o'errule. 45 
 
 In regal haU. of audience, high enthroned, 
 G-raced with his sister's beauty, and begirt 
 With warriour, and with noble ; whom among 
 Jabal, and Jubal eminent appeared ; 
 
 Sate Tubalcain, amidst his counseUours : 50 
 
 And, ia the level area of the court, 
 A Shepherd knelt, in suppliant attitude. 
 An oaken crook within his hand he bore. 
 And with a fleecy skin his loins were bound. 
 Signs of his simple trade ; ambassadour 55 
 
 Erom Abel's children to the sons of Cain. 
 
 ' In Adam's, and in God our Eather's name, 
 O king, excuse a shepherd's guileless speech. 
 If its rude dialect the polished ear 
 
 Displease ; imploring for a peaceful race, 60 
 
 Whose com, and oil have failed, that thou their need 
 Of thine abundance wilt supply, lest them 
 Eamine abolish from the face of earth.' 
 
 Thus he. Whereto the crafty Statist crowned : 
 
THE OITT OF ENOS. 47 
 
 ' The country where ye sojourn, is it not G5 
 
 Fertile of soil, of so salubrious air, 
 
 Nature her part hath done, if man not his ?' 
 
 ' God,' said the Shepherd, ' hath upon the spot 
 Bestowed his choicest blessings. "With small skill 
 The seed is sown, with little labour reaped : 70 
 
 Whence leisure much have we the flocks to feed 
 Beside our sacred rivers ; while we muse 
 The stately song, or, under the broad tree. 
 Or rocky shelter, stories old recount.' 
 
 ' Work,' said the Tetrarch ; ' and ye need not starve : 75 
 Or, if your simple hands may not produce 
 Sufficient store, learn of our skill to make ; 
 Of brass, and iron ; harrow, plough, and spade, 
 Sickle, and scythe : and rear ye food tenfold. 
 Work ; or, if idle, want : strive in your work, 80 
 
 Compete with one another, and surpass. 
 Know, fond of peace, 'tis Strife divides the earth. 
 And shaU partake its bounties. Now, in war. 
 Industrious man contends to win the soil ; 
 Now, at the plough, he plants it ; then, ordains 85 
 
 Domestic order, and his household keeps ; 
 Sunning for wealth, and wrestling for command. 
 One emulation prompts the strong-armed Smith, 
 The tented Herdsman, and the Harper wise.' 
 
 Abashed the Shepherd stood, and groaned in soul. 90 
 Then Jabal of his silence vantage seized, 
 And spake. 
 
 ' I know ye wiU. object the name 
 Of Justice, which forbids extorted wealth : 
 But can the way ye tread be Virtue's path ? 
 So easy, not the track of vice might be 95 
 
 Or smoother, or her mansion less remote. 
 Virtue in elevated region dwells, 
 A steep, and rugged road, moist with the dew 
 That Labour from his wrinkled forehead sheds, 
 
48 THE EA.CE OF CAHf. 
 
 Scaling the rough ascent. Still hungry want 100 
 
 Must vex the sluggard ; him who labour loves 
 
 The seasons bless, and in his garner heap 
 
 The floor with plentyw To his coffers comes 
 
 Gold ; and his fields with flocks, and herds aboiind. 
 
 — ^Attend the times, when ye shall sow, and reap ; 105 
 
 Make sharp the sickle ; till the glebe with care ; 
 
 And throw aside your cloak, when at the plough ; 
 
 Nor let the third sun on your labours rise. 
 
 Do thus, and prosper ; so the weighty ear 
 
 Shall, with majestic bend, nod o'er the plain 110 
 
 On its strong stalk : and, till the spring return, 
 
 "With its white blossoms ; and while heard afar, 
 
 A dismal hoUow blare, the Bittern fierce 
 
 Booms, from the sedgy river's utmost depth ; 
 
 Te shall not need to borrow, or to beg.' 1 15 
 
 He ceased ; and, ere the Shepherd could resume, 
 Jubal took up the taunt. 
 
 ' He spake of songs, 
 And lays ancestral ; chaunted on the banks 
 Of streams, and under shade of tree, and rock ; 
 Songs idle, unelaborate, and mean ; 120 
 
 If eeding no leisure, yet absorbing it. 
 Time utterly mis-spent : for diligence 
 Maketh art perfect ; toil completeth skill. 
 What, though to ditties murmured to your flocks, 
 Te have postponed your harvest ; yet have ye 125 
 
 Organ, or harp invented ; or in song. 
 Or dance become initiate ; such as we, 
 To ravish sense, have found ? Behold, and hear !' 
 
 Then at the organ Jubal took his seat, 
 While one the harp assumed : and, as their hands 130^ 
 
 Waked from the chords, else dumb, sciential sound ; 
 Their voices to the mind expressed the sense 
 Of intricatest harmony ; on air. 
 
THE SHIELD OF LAMECH. 49 
 
 From the vibrating string, or sounding tube, 
 
 In undulations borne : and what stood by 133 
 
 Moved to the music — chief, the human heart. 
 
 Taught by the trembling nerves of pleasure near. 
 
 — Like harmony, with that which aye subsists 
 
 Nature, and Man between ; that unison 
 
 "Which mingles still the human, and divine : 140 
 
 The low, a symbol of the lofty still. 
 
 Prophetic type of that whereto it soars. 
 
 'Twas as if Life were made to know itself 
 
 Through Eeeling ; erst unknown, uofelt ; or but 
 
 In such degree, so of that rapture short, 145 
 
 As worthless with that ecstasy compared. 
 
 And forthwith, from the purHeus of the court. 
 
 Groups of fair damsels flew into the midst ; 
 
 In wanton measures, threading many a maze 
 
 Of motion, kindling amourous desire, 150 
 
 II. 
 
 ' As when, from under roof domestic,' — thus 
 They sang — ' a Son goes forth in ripened years, 
 Conscious of power, to mingle in the race 
 Of public competition ; Man went forth. 
 Out of the Garden of Delights, that would, 155 
 
 With unremitting bliss, have luUed the soul 
 To indolence ; proud of his liberty. 
 And brave to battle in the field, wherein 
 Salvation might be won, and Heaven obtained. 
 
 ' There had he been in idlesse well content, 160 
 
 Within an arbour evermore reclined. 
 To listen to the descant of the bird, 
 Morning, and evening ; or the murmuring brook ; 
 Or breezes making vocal the green boughs : 
 Nor known what fountain in his soul of song 165 
 
 He might imseal, that should their warbling shame ; 
 The broken-hearted nightingale, entranced, 
 
 E 
 
50 THE EACE OF CAIN. 
 
 On the excelling lyre, by music slain. 
 
 — Music ; lie knows her now, he feels her too ; 
 
 She kindles, she inspires him, she transports, 170 
 
 And to a better Paradise exalts. 
 
 She teUs of love ; and wooes to soft delight, 
 
 To rapturous bUss, the lovely, and the young : 
 
 Their glovring eyes, their panting bosoms own. 
 
 Their melting hands, their sparkling feet confess, 175 
 
 Their dreams acknowledge, her persuasive power. 
 
 She heaps the board, o'erflows the generous wine, 
 
 The feast inflames, and gives the banquet joy. 
 
 Heroes she makes : "War revels, and exults ; 
 
 And, while she sings, glows beautiful in blood. 180 
 
 ' Not without labour is such art attained, 
 Nor without praise the artist who attains. 
 By labour, food, from its concealment drawn. 
 Strengthens the human heart ; and wine, expressed 
 From the luxuriant grape, the human face 185 
 
 Enlightens. Sweetly to man's listening mind. 
 High on green bough supported, dusky winged. 
 Shrills the Cicada's note the livelong day ; 
 While he, complacent, views the miUet's ears 
 Spring bristly with much grain ; and, on the vine, 190 
 
 The crude grape ripen in young summer's smile, 
 The produce of his toil : or — ^when the thorn 
 Burns in its glory, yet is not consumed — 
 The dainty food of goat, or tender flesh 
 Of infant heifer, or of savoury kid, 195 
 
 Partakes, imbowered in cool ; and the brimmed eup, 
 "With dark, and piquant liquor mantling up, 
 Commends to his pleased Hp ; and laughs for joy. 
 — Nor less his joy, when the Autumnal god. 
 Upon the harvest, in fresh showers descends — 200 
 
 He feels the wheat the creature of his skiU, 
 "Whose culture only causes it to be ; 
 Soon, if his providence neglect, extinct : 
 
THE SHIELD OF LAMECH. 51 
 
 No second year beyond the harvest sees 
 Spontaneous produce from the fallen ear ; 205 
 
 But, by his tendance nourished, it repays 
 The earth-tiller, with even more than daily bread ; 
 "With rights, and manners ; sciences, and arts. 
 ' Tor this, that it may flourish, and abound, 
 Man hastes by day-break to resume the plough ; 210 
 
 Its peacefiil course still followed by the race 
 Of Books, each eager with short flights to be 
 The nighest, seizing on the fresh-turned "Worm : 
 They, for the larvae of the Dor-beetle, 
 Old mossy grass fields visit, by the scent 215 
 
 Discovered, feeding at the roots of grass ; 
 Destructive tribe, deep in the soil immured. 
 — Nor shall the song forget to celebrate, 
 "Who, first, iato a liquid ore, dissolved 
 Iron, or brass ; thence moulded into tools, 220 
 
 Or what might be in metal fused, or graved. 
 Hence, fields are cultured ; and hence, fldda are fought. 
 The ploughshare, and the priming-hook we leave — 
 Hail, to the sword, and spear ; hail, glorious arms ; 
 Hail, helm, and casque : — but doubly hail, the shield, 225 
 The Shield which Tubalcain for Lamech wrought. 
 Had Lamech, in his lust, a man, and youth. 
 Not slain ; the second homicide ? — As yet, 
 "War had not been : and he his "Wives bespake, 
 Adah, and ZiUah ; for he greatly feared — 230 
 
 ' Lo, I have to my wounding slain a man. 
 Tea, and a young man to my periling. 
 "Was Cain avenged sevenfold ? Then, sure. 
 Shall Lamech be with seventy, and seven.' 
 Thus solaced he his terrour : but, anon, 235 
 
 The A-vengers rose in wrath, and sought his life ; 
 And it returned. ' All creatures are preserved,' 
 Lamented he, ' from perilous approach. 
 "WhUe the unsitting Cock boasts golden hues ; 
 
52 THE EACE OF CAIK. 
 
 The Hen-bird obvious to the preyer's view, 240 
 
 Or beast, or bird, or man,-hath Ifature hid 
 
 In plumage dull, or coloured like the ground. 
 
 Thus cowers the Lark, and squatting Partridge, while 
 
 The robber Hawk unconscious hovers o'er. 
 
 Or, if both sexes boast like gaudy tints, 245 
 
 Swan, Palcon, Eaven, Owl, are strong to strive. 
 
 fiow strong of wing the Pigeon of the wood. 
 
 To flee the Hawk ; and him despise not too 
 
 The agUe Swallows, as they clamour round ? 
 
 Thick hedge, and bush protect the warbling tribes ; 250 
 
 Iledbreast, and Wren ; Linget, and Nightingale : 
 
 The Crake, and QuaU, long grass, and standing corn. 
 
 And him, the Hawk, the brilliance of his eye 
 
 Provides with meat.. Even for the Cuckoo brood 
 
 Cares Nature, and permits an alien nest 255 
 
 Eeceive them, lest the mother's cry provoke 
 
 DespoUers, and direct them where they lie. 
 
 Is man less worth than these, that no defence 
 
 Avails him, when the wrath of multitudes 
 
 Burns against One ? How hopeless he alone.' 260 
 
 — Then, said his Son, the hero of the forge. 
 
 Said Tubalcain ; ' I wiLL an JEgis make. 
 
 Of metal most approved, that shall protect 
 
 My father's person from all weapon's dint.' 
 
 — Soon he began the labour. At the forge 265 
 
 The' anvil groans beneath the hammer's stroke. 
 
 And the strong fire dissolves the roaring mass, 
 
 Gold, brass, or steel. . Orb within orb, he forms 
 
 The massy buckler ; nor his sire's defence 
 
 Alone considered : mindful to display 270 
 
 A workman's skill ; o'er all its wondrous disk. 
 
 The storied shield, impenetrable frame. 
 
 Bears the traditions of the days of old. 
 
 — Krst, round the ample verge, a river rolled ; 
 
 That river which from Eden joumied first, 275 
 
THE SHIELD OF LAMECH. 53 
 
 To water, and refresh that garden blest,- 
 
 Where Adam wooed fair Eve ; whence parted, it 
 
 Into four heads divided ; as they flowed. 
 
 Each marking out the Kmits of a land, 
 
 Upon the expanse, and surface of that round. 280 
 
 Lo, at the junction of two rivers stands 
 
 A horseman ; it is Cain. The fiery steed 
 
 3Jears at the opposition ; and his rider. 
 
 With terrour wUd, clings to his hairy neck, 
 
 While he attempts the passage. Nor in vain : 285 
 
 For, on the further bank, a City stands ; 
 
 And Cain, with his son Enos, manifest, 
 
 There exercise authority, and power. 
 
 And, now, the artist Irad celebrates . 
 
 On that emblazoned field. Of the vrild Ass 290 
 
 The tamer he ; and therewith he explored 
 
 Desert, and wilderness ; and such report 
 
 Brought home, as since in Amazarah burned, 
 
 And ia Dudael built metropolis, 
 
 For glory unexcelled. How beautiful 295 
 
 The Ass which, at his bidding, bowed the head 
 
 Obedient, and stood still ; else svdft of foot : 
 
 That he might mount upon her streaked back ; 
 
 Else silver white ; and there ia silver wrought. 
 
 And who is he, yon orator, who stands 30O 
 
 In action eloquent ? 'Tis Mehujael — 
 
 Persuasion hovers o'er that multitude, 
 
 A radiant angel, seconding his speech ; 
 
 And keen Conviction, girt as if for speed. 
 
 Hastens from man to man ; with ardent lips, 305 
 
 And confidential whisper, others' torch 
 
 Enkindling with the Ught she bears herself. 
 
 — Of God spake Mehujael, and, proclaimed 
 
 The destiny of man ; the doom of earth ; 
 
 Of labour stiU inventive, stUl in want. 310 
 
 The evil Mildew eats the stalks of (Corn, 
 
54 THE BACE OF CAIN. 
 
 And idle Thistle chokes the dying field, 
 
 "With burrs, and prickly weeds soon overgrown. 
 
 What then ? — the land with many a harrow work. 
 
 Noise-off the birds, and prune the shading boughs. 315 
 
 To human labour must the soil submit, 
 
 And Paradise ia every spot appear : 
 
 For skiU shall make a garden of the earth. 
 
 — This lore Methusael learned, and well he knew 
 
 That earth had charms, and life might be enjoyed, 320 
 
 And should be, since the grave her secrets hid. 
 
 Was Death not Hades ; dark, and shadowy ? 
 
 For him the Olive flourished, and the Yine ; 
 
 For him floods teemed with flsh, and air with fowl. 
 
 And earth with fruits, and flesh of many kinds. 325 
 
 There sculptured, lo, he revels, as in life 
 
 He reveled ; with the wine-cup in his hand 
 
 I^ai3ed high ; as if he said — ' Life, if not brief. 
 
 Is tedious, or, it may be, both ; and death 
 
 Eemediless. None comes from Hades back. 330 
 
 Chance-born, the dead are as they ne'er had been : 
 
 For breath is smoke, the heart-pulse but a spark. 
 
 Body to ashes, spirit to air returns ; 
 
 Time buries names, and man forgets man's works. 
 
 Life passes like a cloud, like momiag mist — 335 
 
 Its end fast sealed, it ne'er again begins. 
 
 Come on, then : let us taste the present good ; 
 
 Let us with costly wines regale our youth, 
 
 With ointments, and the vernal blossoms seize. 
 
 And crown our brows with rose-buds, ere they fade.' 340 
 
 — Thus, round the generous board, in jovial mood 
 
 Methusael seemed, in festival elate : 
 
 And Lamech there, his son, partook his joy ; 
 
 Eftsoons with terrour paled. For then it was. 
 
 The feasters cried ; — ' Let none of us depart, 345 
 
 Without his share of our voluptuous mirth ; 
 
 In every place be tokens of our joy ; 
 
THE SHIELD OF LAMECH. 55 
 
 t 
 
 This is our portion, and our lot is this. 
 
 The poor, though righteous, man who would not scorn ? 
 
 Why not oppress ? the widow who would spare ? 350 
 
 Who reverence the grey hair of ancient men ? 
 
 Strength be the law of Justice ; weak to be, 
 
 Is to be worthless. Who shall us upbraid ? 
 
 Lie we in wait for him, though he profess 
 
 Knowledge divine, instructed child of God : 355 
 
 Enough, he doth reprove our very thoughts. 
 
 O hateful to behold, his life is not 
 
 Like other men's ; 'tis of another make. 
 
 By him as counterfeits we are disesteemed. 
 
 Presumptuous : boasts he God, as of his sire ? 360 
 
 Prove we his words. He hath pronounced the Just 
 
 Blest in his end. See we what then shall chance. 
 
 Is he the son of God ? him God wUl help, 
 
 And sure deliver from the hands of foes.' 
 
 — Thus saying, they arise. Lo, where they haste ; 365 
 
 With song, and dance ; so UveHly his hand. 
 
 The artist's hand, hath on the metal traced 
 
 The merry crew, the gazer deems they move. 
 
 Anon, an old Man, and his Son they meet. 
 
 Beside a tent, in prayer ; derived from Seth ; 370 
 
 But sojourners within the land of Naid, 
 
 And with its dwellers leagued by nuptial league ; 
 
 Yet was the stock they sprang from not forgot 
 
 By them, in pious act, or who beheld : 
 
 And wanton mischief doomed them to the death. 375 
 
 'Twas Lamech smote them ; hence his fear, and hence 
 
 The Avengers rose in wrath. 
 
 ' Now fears he not — 
 The shield of Tubalcain o'ershadows him : 
 The sway of Enos, and the toil of rule, 
 Left to his sons * . . himself in shades retired, 380 
 
 Par from the city to the plains of Naid ; 
 Adah, and ZiUah, comfort, and delight 
 
56 THE EiOB OF CAIN. 
 
 » 
 
 Methusael's son, even Lamech. Woods, and groves 
 
 Are conscious of their loves ; and rocks, and caves : 
 
 The flowing rivers murmur vrith their sighs. 385 
 
 — Nor deem exempt from labour their delight -. 
 
 Por art invents new pleasures, and they toil 
 
 For new enjoyments, worthy highest song, 
 
 "Were song not worthy now of highest praise. 
 
 ' Song was in Heaven the solace of the gods, 390 
 
 Innumerable ages of repose, 
 Ere it was known on earth to mortal men : 
 An inspiration, actual breath divine ; 
 Or lyric rapture, human, yet from heaven ; 
 Brought by the Heroic Angels, when they came, 395 
 
 The prefects, and their hosts, on Ardis down, 
 And sware, defying aU Superior Power, 
 They would, O Men, your daughters beautifiil 
 Crown with a race, celestially derived.' 
 
 Thus sang they, and with fable ended thus : 400 
 
 With fable ; but, ia coloured light, expressed. 
 Not without shadow, truth transcending sense. 
 Even like those who then together sang, 
 When the bright Stars were bom, for very joy — 
 Seth's sons, by merit called the Sons of God, 405 
 
 Forsakiug Armon, lost their high estate, 
 By woman lured among the tents of Cain. 
 
 III. 
 
 Confused, the Shepherd hearkened ; and beheld 
 The wanton sport ; and had ere long been left 
 Alone within the hall ; . . for now the Court 410 
 
 Prepared to rise, contemptuous of his suit ; 
 But a loud voice from Speaker, yet unseen. 
 Insult arrested. 
 
 ' Sons of Adam, hear. 
 Have mercy on the Brethren, as your God 
 
THE PBEDICTIOlf. 57 
 
 Was mercifiil to Cain, who slew their sire.' 415 
 
 — All turned, awe-stricken. Gradually revealed 
 
 Out from the air, the contour of a man 
 
 Appeared, as if a god, or angel stept, 
 
 Far forth the mystic hiding of his power. 
 
 The visible into. Beheld of all, 420 
 
 A venerable man, and yet not old. 
 
 Solemn of attitude, erect, unmoved ; 
 
 Heroic form ; awaiting who should speak. 
 
 Stood Noah, Prophet of the Most High God. 
 
 But none that apparition might address, 425 
 
 Except Naamah, of her beauty vain. 
 Like a young ash in bloom. Her wanton lips 
 No awe might check, no virtue might controul. 
 How delicately beautiful — as foam 
 
 On the wild ocean, and as sportive too : 430 
 
 Even in anger sportive, whenas waves 
 Toss high the slender bark, while suddenly 
 The moon is hid in heaven, and through the gloom 
 Thunders laugh loud — such was Naamah now. 
 As in a vale of pleasant bowers, o'erhung 435 
 
 With an aerial fleet of stormy clouds. 
 Conscious of gathering darkness, the bold oaks 
 Bend down to greet the shock ; so men to her 
 Bow, as in worship, to avert what ire 
 Lours on her brow, else marble, so serene — . 440 
 
 Or haply waiting, tiU far-faring winds 
 The squadron meet, and lead to other skies ; 
 Eejoices then the vale, escaped from wreck. 
 And fair uprise her oaks in light renewed : 
 Thus smiling, she the Man of God bespake. 445 
 
 ' Pleasant surprise thy sudden coming was — 
 Pair jest thy words impb'ed ; that Cain's, forsooth, 
 Should pity Abel's race. We pity them : 
 Seed of the strong, we pity, and contemn 
 The children of the feeble. Com, and oU — 450 
 
58 THE EACE or CAIN. 
 
 Have they not flocks, and herds ? or have they grown 
 
 So tender, they would spare a lambkin's life ? 
 
 Less brave, then, than their father ; for when he 
 
 Held sacrifice with Cain, not well content 
 
 With earth's first fruits, the firstUngs of his flock 455 
 
 He slew upon the altar of his Grod. 
 
 Blood chose he as an offering ; for Ms own ; 
 
 And yet his own was offered. Death, since then, 
 
 On Life hath feasted ; so hath Life on Death. 
 
 Go : kiU and eat.' 
 
 Tears trenched the Shepherd's cheek, 460 
 When this he heard. Deep feeling, like the Nile, 
 Eiver since known, and symbol of past Flood, 
 O'erflowed ; and scarce, by fortitude restrained, 
 Permitted brief reply. 
 
 ' God gave to man 
 Each herb seed-bearing on the face of earth, 465 
 
 Each tree wherein is fruit that yieldeth seed 
 Eor meat, as to the beasts of earth he gave. 
 And to the fowls of air, and creeping things, 
 Every green herb. Eor holy rite reserved, 
 To make atonement with offended Heaven, 470 
 
 The sinless creatures roam, unfearing death.' 
 Whereto the Tetrarch. ' To the Teraphim 
 We offer, like our father, of earth's fruits 
 Acceptable, whereby we spare our flocks. 
 And not the less our harvests they increase. 475 
 
 And, by the Teraphim, we will not bear 
 With other worship, blasphemous, profane. 
 Hence ; glad to scape with life : so, linger not.' 
 
 Then Noah lifted up his voice, and spake. 
 ' Hear ye the words of the Omnipotent. 480 
 
 — With Chavah, and my sons, one eve I sate, 
 In social converse, at our frugal meal ; 
 When, lo, three Men, for such the Strangers seemed, 
 Approached, not long unwelcomed, and became 
 
THE PEEDICTION. 59 
 
 Guests at our board, as travellers from afar. 485 
 
 Anon, of things far oflf we 'gan diBcourse, 
 
 And then to reason high on holiest themes ; 
 
 As speech of distance will wake highest thoughts. 
 
 ' Survey,' they said, ' this world ; a Paradise 
 Within an Eden, starry realm of space ; 490 
 
 But greater far those things that are concealed : 
 Whence mind, and its dominion ; . . and the law 
 That animates, and beats in every pulse 
 Of the all-teeming earth, which aye revolves 
 In ceaseless agony, producing aye. 495 
 
 And man is of these twain, and knowledge would 
 Of both, but can of neither, unless he 
 Become what he would know ; and one is Life, 
 And one is Death ; unique, or else impure, 
 "lis in his will to choose, in Adam's was, 500 
 
 When God to him o'er earth dominion gave : 
 In sign whereof, two Trees he did appoint ; 
 One called the Tree of Lives, the other named 
 Of Knowledge, and of Death ; thus bidding him : 
 — Abstain from this, freely of that partake, 505 
 
 As he would live, and in God's love abide. 
 And knowing nought, know all. True vrisdom this, 
 Not tmderstood — till before human sight 
 God brought the Creatures ; then Man felt the power 
 Whereof God spake, and gave them each a name, 510 
 
 According to its nature. Coupled they ; 
 He was alone, and perfect in himself, 
 Awing the brute, yet awed himself of God. 
 They gambolled in the love-sport, like with like ; 
 He held with a Superior high commune ; 515 
 
 Not all unequal to such coUoquy : 
 Or with himself discoursed, tiU thought grew big 
 For utterance, and wished companionship. 
 Then he discerned his insufficiency. 
 
60 THE BACE OE CAIir. 
 
 (Yet innocent, albeit deserving nought, 520 
 
 HaTing his heiag of Almighty grace ;) 
 
 And what was good before became not good. 
 
 — These things return upon us as a dream, 
 
 As of the sleep he waked from, when thou, Eve, 
 
 Clad in thy beauty, burnedst on Adam's gaze. 525 
 
 He was not what he had been, yet was blest, 
 
 Beyond conception blest. What he desired 
 
 Had being, love-created, made for love. 
 
 ' Eve,' he exclaimed, ' flesh of my flesh thou art, 
 
 Bone of my bone.' . . nor knew how he should quit 530 
 
 His heavenly Father, when he prophesied, 
 
 That therefore man should willingly forsake 
 
 Father, and mother, and his wife prefer, 
 
 More amiable, relation closer stiU. 
 
 — Her thus in virgin innocence he wooed — 535 
 
 ' Our proper bliss is to enjoy what God 
 
 Created, but enjoyment temperance needs, 
 
 Else none ; and chief ia kind, and in degree, 
 
 Moral delight ; of sensual much eschew, 
 
 Evil, efiect of sin, and cause of death. 540 
 
 For the capacity of sense hath bounds. 
 
 Being, as its object, finite ; sated soon, 
 
 And lost all relish in excess. For this, 
 
 Test of our temperance, yon Tree hath Grod 
 
 Prohibited, of knowledge, and of death, 54,5 
 
 Of good, and evil, . . evil the abuse. 
 
 But of our spiritual faculties 
 
 How infinite the scope, and only can 
 
 "With what is infinite be satisfied ; 
 
 Knowledge of God, to love whom is to know.' 550 
 
 — In such discourse, reposed they underneath 
 
 The Tree of Lives ; whose umbrage broad, and cool. 
 
 Them there imparadised, and felt this truth — 
 
 To be is far more noble than to know. 
 
 Ah, aU must be, what they would know aright ; 655 
 
THE PEEDICTION. 61 
 
 And to know good, or evil is to be. 
 
 Whence sin, and whence redemption . . How redeemed ? 
 
 By labour, and by death. For knowledge made 
 
 Man's nakedness ashamed of its own need, 
 
 AVTiich hiding, from the Sacramental Tree 560 
 
 Its ample leaves they plucked. Aiming at. what 
 
 "Was His sole property who formed the heart. 
 
 They learned their wants, but not their remedy. 
 
 Discovery vain, till he, whose frown they feared, 
 
 Made manifest the love they dared to doubt, 565 
 
 As if the liberty of choice were not 
 
 Sufficient pledge of bounty. forewent 
 
 Was reason then ; false oracle believed, 
 
 Of knowledge without power ; that Q-od, and Man, 
 
 Made twain, until the Woman'-s Seed atone ; 570 
 
 Better ambition justified, and man 
 
 With his celestial Father reconciled. 
 
 — Though as by fire ; for who wiU not believe. 
 
 Must try experience, though it torture him. 
 
 Doubt if ye will, in order to beUeve, 575 
 
 But not to doubt ; much less believe, to doubt ; 
 
 But, and in faith, both doubt ye, and believe. 
 
 Men prove that fire wiU bum, by feeling it ; 
 
 Tet he who feels to prove, must have believed. 
 
 That he should prove it, first, by feeling it. 580 
 
 — And why should Man doubt God, but to believe 
 
 The Adversary, false oracle, whose sense 
 
 Is double ? ' 
 
 There I answered ; ' True, my lord. 
 Of such false faith iniquity abounds.' 
 — Then spake again the Elder of the Three. 585 
 
 ' My Spirit shall not alway strive with Man, 
 For he of flesh as spirit is compact : 
 One hundred years, and twenty be his term. 
 His wickedness is great ; and, in his heart, 
 Is each imagination of his thoughts 590 
 
62 THE EACE OF CAIN. 
 
 Evil unmixed, unchanged. Me it repents, 
 
 That I have made him ; yea, it grieves my heart. 
 
 Whom I created, him mil I destroy. 
 
 Even from the face of earth ; both man, and beast, 
 
 And creeping thing, and fowl that ■wings the air. 595 
 
 That I have made them it repenteth me. 
 
 But in my eyes, thou, Noah, hast found grace : 
 
 Know, therefore, that the End of all flesh is 
 
 Come up before me ; for the earth is filled 
 
 "With violence through them : and lo, I will 600 
 
 Destroy them, with the earth. Make thee an Aee ; 
 
 Of gopher wood, pitched inside, and without ; 
 
 Three hundred cubits long, and fifty broad. 
 
 And thirty high ; vrith rooms three stories up ; 
 
 A window, and a door, set in- the side. 605 
 
 Por lo, I bring, even I, a Elood on earth 
 
 Of waters ; for destruction of aU flesh. 
 
 Wherein is breath of Ufe, from under heaven : 
 
 And every thing that is in earth shall die.' 
 
 — So saying, they departed suddenly, 610 
 
 Or vanished ; and we knew too late that we 
 
 Grods unawares, or angels entertained.' — 
 
 Thus, while spake Ifoah, o'er that lawless group 
 Passion, or influence, held attention mute : 
 But now it passed, or changed ; and they exclaimed, 615 
 ' Ha ! thou art Noah ? Not to us unknown 
 The fame of what thou speakest. Pity though. 
 Prophets, who would save others, show small skiU. 
 In what themselves concemeth. Knowst thou now, 
 While thou art idling here, thy proper hearth 620 
 
 Protection needs ; for that the sword of war 
 Hath entered Armon ; and thy wife, and sons. 
 Thine aged fathers, call in vain for aid 
 On Noah's name, vaticinator vain ?' 
 
 Whereto the Prophet, ' He who brought me here 625 
 
THE PEEDICTIOIf. 63 
 
 Will take me hence, if so his wisdom will. 
 
 Hither not of myself I came ; for, as 
 
 Walking upon this Sabbath-morning forth, 
 
 To worship with my Sons at Adam's Tomb, 
 
 And thence to preach to the assembled throng, 630 
 
 Concerning the completion of that Ark 
 
 Appointed me to build, howe'er ye scom ; 
 
 A hand invisible seized by the hair. 
 
 And without pain conveyed me where I stand. 
 
 So soon, I may not count the time elapsed. 635 
 
 — B«pent, or ye shall perish : and, in sign 
 
 Of my commission, leam ; since ye refuse 
 
 The sons of Abel needful com, and oil ; 
 
 Tour Seed-time, and your Harvest, they shall fail : 
 
 Tour Cold, and Heat, shall strange mutation know : 640 
 
 Summer, and Winter ; Day, and Night ; shall cease.' 
 
 The Prophet's curse was spoken. Uproar wild. 
 And rout succeeded ; but that unseen cloud. 
 Which him before concealed, now girt not him 
 Alone, but in its ample folds embraced 645 
 
 The Shepherd, too ; and safely from that hall 
 They passed in-\dsible — the righteous twain. 
 
 Now, sailing on the broad Erythraean sea 
 Were they. 'Twas past the noon, and from the shade 
 The herd had driven his flock ; yet broad the sun 650 
 
 Shone o'er the billows., Fair the sight of beams 
 Eeflected ; grateful were the breezes cool ; 
 And sweet to look upon the ancient trees. 
 Along the fringed shore : while, in fraU bark, 
 They voyaged to the Land of Abel's race. 655 
 
 So long they voyaged, that behind the hills 
 They saw the sun decline, and felt the gale 
 Of coming night blow coolly o'er the waves ; 
 While rested sea-birds on the rocks about. 
 And silence slept upon the shores around. 660 
 
64 THE HACE or CAIlf. 
 
 — But deem not that in silence voyaged they ; 
 Sweet commune long they held, and Noah thus 
 Instructed Hori, (such the shepherd's name.) 
 
 ' Pear not, although your com, and oil have failed ; 
 'For he who took away, can give agaia ; 665 
 
 Or if not, will permit that you supply 
 Tour need with suhstitution, though of what 
 Is dedicated to the holiest use. 
 Nor take to heart that this the scoflSng sons 
 Of evil dared to urge, nor do it not. 670 
 
 Eor man is lord of all the things of earth . . 
 All places, times . . his mind both place, and time. 
 Thus too, of Sacrifices be it said, 
 It is the soul that fits them, or unfits ; 
 And fruits, and kine may both in turn be HI, 675 
 
 Be good : nor was the sacrifice of Caiu 
 Eefused, because the produce of the soil 
 On which he laboured ; but on that account 
 Had been the more acceptable, if offered 
 "With willing heart devout. Atonement may 680 
 
 With com, and grape, earth's fruits, ia liquid wise, 
 Or solid, as of bread, and wine, be shewn, 
 A bloodless sacrament ; as well as by 
 The blood of bulls, or goats ; or sheep, or rams. 
 All equally significant of this — 685 
 
 That man is not sufficient to himself. 
 On this hand, or on that ; or earth, or heaven : 
 Neediug both food, and raiment ; would he live. 
 And have defence from Nature in her wrath. 
 This, physically, bestial sacrifice 690 
 
 Declares not only, but provides ; and thus 
 Hedeems the body into life agaiu, 
 Ay, and well-being. But what thus is done, 
 Eor perishable flesh ; in higher guise. 
 The human spirit asks, and shall obtain — 695 
 
 Even spiritual food, and covering, 
 
THE PEEDICTION. 65 
 
 Of quality divine, . . the Eight, and True. 
 
 And this, methinks, less carnally were shewn, 
 
 In simpler rites expressed, by com, or grape, 
 
 Such as Cain offered, or by them in what, 700 
 
 By art of man, has been from them produced ; 
 
 Both bread, and wine ; the latter rather, since 
 
 This Art is even a symbol, and a seal, 
 
 A part of the Eedemption : shewing thus, 
 
 The soul is truly furnished, as it would, 705 
 
 With power, and vrisdom ; knowledge meet to save, 
 
 Food of the soul, at once, and clothing, too. 
 
 Hence, all these rites the Lord of all permits. 
 
 That none be superstitious. Hence, dread not 
 
 To put your holy things to common use, 710 
 
 But rather seek to use your common things 
 
 As holy. Make the business of life 
 
 Eeligioua ; every deed, and word, and thought : 
 
 Then, will each aspiration be a prayer, 
 
 Discourse a priestly lecture ; nay, the act, 7 1 5 
 
 The simple act of dressing when you rise, 
 
 A pledge of reconciliation with your God ; 
 
 Each common meal, a sacramental feast.' 
 
 Conversing thus, and charmed with such discourse, 
 Time passed them swiftly ; and, on moonlight seas, 720 
 With Hori, Noah sailed afar away ; 
 Forgot the vale of Armon, native vale. 
 O God was careful of his prophet, then ; 
 Withdrawn from peril, destined soon to fall 
 Upon that spot, though consecrated long. 725 
 
 But not as yet had it descended there. 
 Albeit the prince of Enos so declared — 
 For not of execution but design. 
 Soon to be put in act, the Tetrarch spake,' 
 Anticipating what he loved to think. 7.30 
 
 impious : but the evil was delayed 
 
66 THE EACE or CATW. 
 
 By higher hand. For his Toluptuous Sire, 
 
 Of the Death- Angel summoned, was perforce 
 
 To Hades borne ; though there no pleasures be. 
 
 And Adah there, and Zillah, had in vain, 735 
 
 (Were they not old, and beautiful as once,) 
 
 Sought to delight the king in youth renewed. 
 
 There are the days cut off, the years deprived. 
 
 The residue of years. No more beheld 
 
 The dwellers of the world ; departed, thence, 740 
 
 Is age, and as a shepherd's tent removed : 
 
 No praise hath it, no laud for God, or man. 
 
 No celebration utters silent Death : 
 
 No hope awaits, who to the pit descend. 
 
 Alas, and soon must aU that shadowy bourn 745 
 
 Seek, nor return. !For Time himself wUl soon 
 
 Take the unstable ocean for a throne ; 
 
 And, riding in his fulgent chariot forth, 
 
 Eein his white steeds, or lash them into foam, 
 
 Till the waves seethe ; and, then, at him will Death 750 
 
 Grin ghastUy — at him — a desperate smile — 
 
 Death — as that ravenous banquet were his last. 
 
 Unless he gorge his famine on himself. 
 
 Like the hyaBua, eating his own bones. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And now, the Angel who had Noah borne, 755 
 
 The Angel of Eepentance, Phanuel, 
 A mandate, in reply to his request. 
 Received from Axchangelic Michael, 
 Eegent of Manhood, and of Virtue Prince, 
 Guardian of Nations, and the Guide of Kings ; 760 
 
 Once Samiasa's, ere, in selfish pride, 
 He had unto himself a god become ; 
 Thence to his evil genius was resigned. 
 — For gentle Phanuel, pitying his estate, 
 
SA.MIASA., AND FALAL. 67 
 
 From tte Most High, with earnest prayer, desired 765 
 
 Permission, on each seventh recurring day, 
 
 To minister to his despair, and pour 
 
 The balm of healing through his smitten soul. 
 
 Por this, with incense at the gate of heaven, 
 
 He stood, and at the altar ministered 770 
 
 His golden vial's acceptable odour. — 
 
 There Michael came ; 
 
 ' Me G-od hath charged,' he said, 
 ' O Fhanuel meek, with answer to thy prayer. 
 The terrible thunder of his "Word hath sworn, 
 'Tis granted to thy importunity. 775 
 
 Ear in the wilds, beyond Dudael far, 
 The miserable Monarch, now not man, 
 Dwells vrith the savage of the Desart wild. 
 Himself a savage wilder ; doom severe : 
 A beast, but uncompanioned, and imstaUed ; 780 
 
 "Wet with the dews of heaven ; desolate 
 Of human habits, as of human heart. 
 Far other spirit rules his spirit now, 
 Than once ; Hherem, the Cursed of the Accursed, 
 Whom Hell's own gorge heaved forth, abominable. 785 
 — In lofty disbelief, and wilful pride, 
 "When first the Primogenial Parents plucked 
 That fatal fruit from the Sciential Tree ; 
 Then Hherem, with ignoble aim, possessed 
 The inferior creatures, a substantial form ; 790 
 
 And quickened with his rage the bestial soul. 
 The creeping thing, and bird that wings the air : 
 Whence enmity between the kinds ; . . the weak. 
 Prey to the stronger, in earth, air, and sea. 
 The nobler fellows of the Fiend aspired 795 
 
 At quarry nobler far, the souls of men ; 
 And scorned his sensual taste irrational. 
 Tet of immortal men there are, content 
 To share their nature with the prostrate brute, 
 
 r 2 
 
68 THE EACE or CAIW. 
 
 Earth's erect animals, and vainly proud, 800 
 
 As the gay Peacock of his gorgeous plumes. 
 
 Not such the Monarches sia. 'Twas too intense 
 
 A consciousness of immortality, 
 
 Of spiritual vigour ; rehel pride 
 
 Of reason, of the human wUl divine, 805 
 
 That sought presumptuously to rival G-od. 
 
 The sin of Adam, sin of Lucifer : 
 
 !Por which the Sons of Adam undergo 
 
 Probation ; whence the Devils are condemned 
 
 "Without reprieve, and destitute of hope, 810 
 
 Incapable of change, repenting not. 
 
 Emptied of his humanity the King, 
 
 And even deprived its shape, and form extern ; 
 
 That he might feel, of grace divine, and free, 
 
 He was a human creature ; and might know, 815 
 
 The attributes, whereof he waxed too proud, 
 
 "Were the good gifts of Him who made him great, 
 
 And glorious in intelligence, and power. 
 
 And ruleth o'er the realties of earth. 
 
 — Now, Phanuel, to thy prayer this boon is given ; 820 
 
 That the blest Sabbath, day of hallowed rest. 
 
 Duly administer, to his estate, 
 
 From direst punishment repose, and brief 
 
 Immunity from demon prevalence.' 
 
 "When this he heard, glad Phanuel's praises rose, 825 
 In angel-hymns, to Mercy's sapphire throne. 
 Away he sped into the vnldemess, 
 TJpon his joyful errand ; and now came 
 Into the extreme Dudael, where it bounds 
 Upon the land of Naid ; and there discerned 830 
 
 The fallen King, commanded by the Rend : 
 The human drooped to brutish, the sublime 
 Spirit to shape ignoble ; quadruped, 
 And prostrate ; every attribute of soul 
 Convert to abject quality ; each sense, 835 
 
SAMIABA, AMD PALAL. 69 
 
 To bestial uses, piteously subdued. 
 
 — Soon he the Demon's charms dismissed, and o'er 
 
 The seeming brute proclaimed — 
 
 'In part fulfilled 
 The Season of Eepentance.' 
 
 Prom the sands, 
 Upon his feet upstarted Samiasa ; 840 
 
 Naked as Adam, in his innocence. 
 Still wild of feature, but his heart was calm : 
 "WeU Phanuel knew, he was no Savage there, 
 And hailed the Monarch to a Man restored ; 
 Then, with angelic care, as weU befits 845 
 
 A covering Cherub, cast o'er his bare limbs, 
 Majestic in their order, and design, 
 A fleecy mantle ; skin of a slain Lamb, 
 Which, on an Altar in the "Wilderness, 
 An unhewn rock, they had, in sacrifice, 850 
 
 To the Eternal offered, thus atoned. 
 
 And, with the King, the Kend, too, was released. 
 And straight away to hell in triumph went. 
 And mingled with the world ; . . a traitor foul. 
 Nor to his charge came back on other days, 855 
 
 Albeit on Samiasa yet came back 
 The spell ; suspended only, not dissolved. 
 Though less severely binding on his soul. 
 And leaving space for hope. 
 
 Thus fared the King ; 
 Tet not, even on the blessed Sabbath-day, 860 
 
 "Would Samiasa to the world return ; 
 TUl, by much meditation, he had fixed 
 His spirit in most resolved humility. 
 — Long wandering, in search of some lone cave, 
 "Where, as an eremite, he could, with prayer, 865 
 
 And abstinence, completely purge his soul 
 Of pride, and passion ; lust, and appetite ; 
 
70 THE EACE OF CAIIT. 
 
 He came, where Gtihon bounds the sable land, 
 
 Beyond the broad Erythraean ; where abode 
 
 A Cainite colony, . . by Kael ruled, 870 
 
 A prophet blind, and scornful, and profane. 
 
 Wild scene the spot he chose — an ample bay ; 
 
 But, all about the shores, dark earth was riven 
 
 With sulphur ; and dread thunder scorched the fields : 
 
 For inland, though not far, a mountain rose 875 
 
 Volcanic, from below precipitous, 
 
 Circled above with wood, stem, craggy, wUd ; 
 
 Wherein, from summit to its utmost base, 
 
 A central chasm of fire perpetual burned. 
 
 Like incense in a censer, in a cup 880 
 
 Of large contents, vast of circumference. 
 
 Preserved ; a crater deep, and broad ; its sides 
 
 With thicket covered, harbour for the Boar ; 
 
 Its bottom spread into a treacherous plain. 
 
 Where cattle, unconscious all of peril, grazed ; 885 
 
 And leading, by a passage in the midst. 
 
 To one more spacious ; by a rocky way, 
 
 Milelong descent, with ashes strown ; and pools 
 
 Corrosive, bitter, salter than the sea. 
 
 And boiling Kke witch-cauldrons. Hence arose ; . . 890 
 
 After due warnings given to those without. 
 
 In rumblings audible, and visible smoke, 
 
 And demonstrations palpable of stones, 
 
 Eed-hot, projected wide ; . . eruption dire 
 
 Of flaming ruin, terribly difiused. 895 
 
 Cloud, then, on cloud was pUed, sulphureous film ; 
 
 White of the whitest ; in the massiest wreaths ; 
 
 Par o'er the mountain, an enormous height : 
 
 Columns of stones, and ashes, intermixed ; 
 
 And burning lava, pouring down the hill ; 900 
 
 And often deep-red blaze ascending high. 
 
 Midst the huge volumes of that atmosphere. 
 
aUlIASA, Airs PALAX. 71 
 
 Surmounting, mountainous, the mountain's self; 
 And, sometimes, witli a summer storm increased ; 
 Vapours of rain ; sulphur, and mineral ; 905 
 
 Together Went, and swelling to more bulk. 
 Then was the fountain of the fire unsealed. 
 And up it rushed ; so passing high, and bright. 
 That wonder died of fear, or fear of wonder, 
 As either had possession precedent, 910 
 
 And waited change. Then, tempest rode athwart, 
 In sable chariot, and with shadow veiled, 
 PiUar of flagrant sheen in folded shrine ; 
 Or, clearing thence away, revealed at large ; 
 New-tinted with reverberated light 915 
 
 Prom the white clouds aloft, . . whose many hues 
 "With the pale levin-flash contrasted well. 
 Like an extinguished crater, stood aby, 
 A hoUow . . cineritiouB, cavernous, 
 
 Fire-eaten. Large it was — a sulphur mine, 920 
 
 By Nature excavated, high, and deep ; 
 And templed in the rocks. Here hid, adored 
 The sanable, and royal penitent ; ' 
 And made it sacred. With an iron style. 
 The craggy walls he pictured, graving there 925 
 
 Eeligious symbols, hieroglyphic signs — 
 Mythi of mixed creeds, and systems new, 
 And mystic speculations, still begot 
 By indefatigable faculty 
 
 Of fancy, on the still productive mind. 930 
 
 — Not like the race of Cain, a labouring tribe 
 Of handicrafts mechanic, were the sons 
 Of the apostate ; but from reason judged 
 Things physical, and gross, yet not aright : 
 Por not of nature cared they to enquire — 935 
 
 Idle, though curious— and conceived strange laws, 
 She knew not of, her goings-on to rule ; 
 Deciding ignorant, and as of time 
 
72 THE EACE OP CAIN. 
 
 Eternity discoursing, or as it 
 
 Describing time : or, daring there to soar 940 
 
 Where no experience ventures ; region high 
 
 Of pure abstraction, beyond earth, or heaven . . 
 
 World of void forms. Thus, of such phantasies 
 
 These sculptures were, mysterious. There, behold, 
 
 Adam in Chaos struggling, ere Day was ; 945 
 
 Conception dim, yet bodily expressed : 
 
 And, on the other side, he had portrayed. 
 
 The Universe in Deity contained, 
 
 And Order pre-existent — state obscure ; 
 
 High thoughts, and visions of a gifted mind. 950 
 
 Thus occupied, One found him whom he knew, 
 
 Palal; his father's friend, and with his sire 
 
 Acquainted, ere apostate. Palal had, 
 
 A traveller, come to Armon ; lover he 
 
 Of wisdom. Yainly, ere then, he looked, in aU 955 
 
 The ways of men, for the image of his own 
 
 Excellent spirit ; and, the impress liking not 
 
 Of others, so was tempted iU to deem 
 
 The signet, and its manifold device : 
 
 Yet, having heard, or read, the Soul of Man 960 
 
 Was in the Image of the Almighty made, 
 
 •Thought, as its model, that it must be good : 
 
 Nay, that the all-vrise Maker would not mar 
 
 His likeness, with distorted workmanship ; 
 
 Like a mad limner, merry at his mirrour, 965 
 
 Copying his own grimace : and thence inferred, 
 
 Ealse man had broken, in some mysterious wise. 
 
 The seal, intrusted to him at his birth, 
 
 Of the divine resemblance. Thus in aU 
 
 Imperfect, yet not equally defaced — 970 
 
 He in the land of his nativity 
 
 Conceived it most defective ; but among 
 
 The Shepherd seed of Abel, . . or the sons 
 
SAMIASA, AND PALAL. 73 
 
 Of Seth, fond of high meditation, on the crest 
 
 Of loftiest mountain, holding with the sky 975 
 
 Communion planetary, . . least of all ; 
 
 As having least departed from the pure 
 
 Beligion of first nature, and of God, 
 
 By Adam taught. He joumied to enquire 
 
 Of aU they knew, and practised ; that he might, 980 
 
 In the virtuous, and the wise, made manifest, 
 
 Catch glimpses of the Godhead, and compare 
 
 With the judicial standard in his soul. 
 
 They asked him of his country, and its ways : 
 
 The appetite of curiosity 985 
 
 GrTew keener, the more food ; tUl, in return 
 
 Of courtesy, at his departure, he 
 
 Took, under his protection, two of the most 
 
 Importunate to his own land, that they 
 
 Might witness what they sought, and bear report 990 
 
 Unto their brethren ; Adon of the twain 
 
 "Was one — the other to the fold returned 
 
 In time — but Adon not untU the last. 
 
 As win be told. The Shepherd knew him not. 
 
 — Also, when Adon won a crown, and realm 995 
 
 With Amazarah ; Palal would his court 
 
 Visit, in intervals of travel, oft. 
 
 And what he had seen, and heard, discourse ; and, ay, 
 
 His knowledge, thus imparted, was as power 
 
 To Samiasa, when, for war arrayed, 1000 
 
 He went to conquer nations, and to rule. 
 
 Now, in his many wanderings, Palal came 
 Unto the Land of Gihon, where he found 
 Dethroned Samiasa. He had seen 
 
 Each country watered by the rivers four ; 1005 
 
 Had traced the course of Pison ; and had gazed 
 On onyx, gold, and bdellium in the hiUs, 
 And streams of Havilah ;— and he had sped 
 On the swift billows of the Hiddekel, 
 
74 THE EACB OP CAIN. 
 
 And caught the Tigers on its dreamy banks. 1010 
 
 High theme, and wonderous, had the twain to tell 
 Each to the other ; nor was wanting, then. 
 Different opinion to raise argument, 
 The seasoning of discourse. From their proud height, 
 Had Palal's speculations of mankind 1015 
 
 Eallen earthward ; by experience taught, he deemed 
 That only thence, through organs of the flesh. 
 Might man gain knowledge ; which, abstracting far. 
 The d%dal to ideal elevate 
 
 Baised, and refined, from complex to the pure. 1020 
 
 For, on the face of universal earth, 
 No Open Vision lingered to instruct 
 The sophist, how unto the pious soul 
 Came revelations of another world : 
 
 Creed this, which stood in contrast with the dim, 1025 
 
 And high-wrought theorizing of the king. 
 — Hence argued they ; tiU, wearied out with words. 
 Thus Samiasa answered. 
 
 ' I perceive, 
 No common ground of logic have we got. 
 To edify a structure sure for both. 1030 
 
 'Nor may I listen calmly, and permit 
 That Nature should usurp the Spirit's throne, 
 And Season's ; who is law, dominion, power : 
 !For as her sceptre is, or straight, or bent ; 
 So they become. And individual lapse 1035 
 
 Maketh a slippery path, where many fall ; 
 And if in each her image be debased. 
 What matter codes ? The reinless desart steed, 
 Less wild — less rude, than self-ungovemed Man. 
 And wherefore ? Enow, the steed is guided stiU 1040 
 
 By Nature's law ; is guided, and controuled : 
 But, as a spirit, Man is free to quit 
 Her rule, and limit, with unfettered will. 
 — In private virtue public good consists ; 
 
BAMIASA, AKD PALAL. 75 
 
 With private Tirtue public good declines : 1045 
 
 This truth my father felt. Could he, for shame, 
 
 A G-od-forsaking, Q-od-forsaken man, 
 
 Teach godliness, without which virtue fails. 
 
 Wanting Taith's index in the night of storms ? 
 
 And what could I, whose crude conceptions spurned 1050 
 
 Their cradle ; and, for liberty, and light 
 
 Impatient ever, sought to seal themselves 
 
 In living characters, or monuments 
 
 Of lasting fame, upon the external world ; 
 
 In verse, or statue, or elaborate picture ; 1055 
 
 Giving words wings, stone eloquence, and colour 
 
 Thought's visible creations ? Ay, give ear : 
 
 Words are oft winged — how, then, is summed the soul ? — 
 
 And, in the efiulgenee of our essences. 
 
 The breathing thoughts are kindled, whence they came ; 1060 
 
 Like eaglets, with the beak in thunder clothed, 
 
 The eye arrayed in lightning from the sun : 
 
 And there, in that substantial fire, aU forms 
 
 External, aU the images of sense. 
 
 Are alchemized, and turned into its kind ; 1065 
 
 And, thence effused, are emanations thence. 
 
 Of it, and from it ; and aspire beyond 
 
 The limits of their origin ; and bear. 
 
 Within their plumes, strength to intrude within 
 
 AU substances, and essences, and orbs, 1070 
 
 Material, intellectual ; HeU, and Heaven ; 
 
 And stamp them with their impress. If our words 
 
 Have such prerogative ; what then the soul. 
 
 Whereof they breathe, and bum ? Can that be doomed 
 
 To eternal durance, never to go forth 1075 
 
 Of its clay prison, and the fleshly nook 
 
 'Tis pent in ? Lo, its freedom cometh. All 
 
 The elements expect it, and all worlds — 
 
 Its signet is upon them, and shall be ; 
 
 Its knowledge shall increase — its power command : 1080 
 
76 THE EACE OF CAIN. 
 
 The bodily, whicli veils it, shall give way ; 
 
 And it shall be itself, for evermore ; 
 
 Of its own pleasure, both to will, and do ; 
 
 And what its dwelling may be, and how bright, 
 
 Man's loftiest faculty may not conceive, 1085 
 
 Till franchised from corporeal servitude ; 
 
 And then it shall inherit a demesne. 
 
 Essential, endless, infinite, divine.' 
 
 "With that he rose, on his companion's lips 
 Imposing silenee ; proposition brief 1090 
 
 Soon making, that together they should seek 
 Man's haunts again. Anon, for travel girt, 
 They left that rocky lair ; ascending, gained 
 A summit, and looked out on sea, and sky : 
 A glorious prospect. Calm old ocean lay, 1095 
 
 Beneath the ancient heaven. Awhile, they gazed 
 On the pacific deep, and silent clouds. 
 Tears Samiasa wept ; then turned aside 
 His steps toward the desart, by that way 
 To reach the world — a wider wilderness. 1100 
 
 It was the Sabbath when they thus commenced 
 Their journeying : but, at eve, fell on the King 
 His mystic doom. Amazed, and terrified. 
 Then Palal would have fled ; but Phanuel swift 
 Descended ; and, arrayed in human form, 1105 
 
 Thus startling not the sceptic's prejudice. 
 Appeared, as their companion ; and, that week, 
 "Walked with them, till the Sabbath came again ; 
 When Samiasa unto Palal told 
 
 AH his disastrous state, and pity won : 1110 
 
 "Wherefore the Sophist yet with him remained. 
 The solace of his wanderings through the wilds. 
 
 StiU Phanuel tended them, invisibly ; 
 And, once assuming his angelic shape. 
 To Samiasa said — 
 
 ' Befits it thee, 1115 
 
8AMIASA, AND PAIAL. 
 
 77 
 
 Full penance be accomplished in thy heart — 
 
 Not yet thy degradation is complete, 
 
 Which done thy soul is saved. Hence, what awaits 
 
 Thy sad experience, both of thee, and thine, 
 
 "WiU task endurance sternly. Be thou warned. 1120 
 
 So may the Sire of Spirits thee restore. 
 
 In mercy, to that Eeason which He is ; 
 
 As I therefore will iatercessant pray.' 
 
 — And, with this sad farewell, the Seraph went. 
 
 END OF SECOND BOOK. 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 
 
 VaiiLEt of Armon, Vale most beautiful, 
 
 Wtose verdure is eternal in its bloom ; 
 
 Skirted with forests wide of oak, and ash ; 
 
 And graced with waterfall, or mountain flood, 
 
 And rock, and cataract, with changes wild, " 
 
 Tet dear to fancy, and awakening thought. 
 
 Por, on the mountain's brow, the heroic oak, 
 
 With falling cliff, — down from on high in air, 
 
 Smit by the thunderbolt, its head in vain 
 
 "With cloud enwrapt, such havoc to preclude — 10 
 
 A craggy wreck, would, haply, sometimes meet ; 
 
 And, bowing to the shock, with all his weight 
 
 Of mossy bough, and branch, and ample trunk, 
 
 Tom from his roots, with crash, and groan descend ; 
 
 And, from the noisy hill, the foaming floods, 15 
 
 Radiant, and rapid, toward the lake rush on, 
 
 Before them driving arm of rock, or tree. 
 
 Oft, in the lonely desart of the dark, 
 
 The Screech-owls, scared with lightning's angry flame, 
 
 Flashed o'er the rocks, scream hideous with affinght. 20 
 
 But thou art gentle, Armon, lovely vale : 
 Why should the wild alone in Armon dwell, 
 Where peace domestic roosts with pious men ? 
 There hill, and tree do diadem the plain : 
 Their stately heads in heaven, their feet imbowered 25 
 
 In shade, and arbour, haunt of loving birds : 
 And lake, and river glass the blue blue sky. 
 Or lonely star, that not, athwart the vault. 
 Darts its strange way in fire, at mid of night ; 
 
THE MASSACBE. 79 
 
 Old Nigtt who, watching from her dusky car, 30 
 
 "With terrour sees, and upward looks no more ; 
 But stedfast in its place, and ordered weU, 
 Stm brightly on the watery mirrour smiles. 
 And of aU brooks, thine, Armon, is the sweetest — 
 Whose waters glide as with volition gifted, 35 
 
 And him who bathes in them baptize with power. 
 — O Ajmon, mystic stream ; and holy, as 
 The hill, and vale, . . named of thee, thou of them. 
 And, though sometimes dark shadow cross the hill, 
 And clouds conceal the sacred sun in heaven, 40 
 
 While tempest flocks foresee, and hide them straight 
 IVom threatening ruin ; if the blast have not 
 O'erthrown their tree beloved, or pleasant grove 
 Of elm, and stately fir, and left them bare 
 Of shelter, knowing then not where to flee ; 45 
 
 More frequent yet, hiU, vale, and tree, and grove, 
 Eejoice in light, and melody, and love. 
 The sun wUl o'er the kindling summits peep. 
 As measuring, at one survey, leisurely, 
 His journey to the west, ere he commence 50 
 
 Diurnal travel ; while, from fields of dew. 
 The Herds upraise them with the joyous dawn ; 
 Of wood, and grove with gratulation hailed. 
 Singing, in chorus, anthems unto God. 
 Oft, by the so and aroused, the lordly Stag 55 
 
 Quits the low brake ; and, high upon the plain, 
 Stands viewing, pleased, the glittering hiUs afar. 
 Soon to old Night an uttermost farewell, 
 Climbing the northern hiU ; though oft behind 
 Disdainful scowl she throw on coming Morn — 60 
 
 Her path by the glad Hours with safflon strewed. 
 O'er Armon's groves the spoken doom impends ; 
 Even now awaits. The hour is nigh at hand. 
 For them hath vile Azaradel betrayed. 
 The Land of Eden, and its Elvers four ; 65 
 
80 LAM.ECH, AND ELIUCT. 
 
 That, with Methuselah, chief patriarch, 
 To him are tributary, lord of earth : 
 Such lords, then, earth acknowledged. Lamech, now, 
 For Noah's absence sorrowed ; wretched man, 
 "With many wounds, on times of evil fallen, 70 
 
 Still stricken in his soul ; in spirit poor. 
 Debased, and e'er afficted. Now, apart. 
 He wept, in his despair. Apart he sate, 
 Alone ; for that he would not, now, unite 
 In holy Festival ; . . which, in the plains 75 
 
 Of Armon hence, beneath the cope of heaven, 
 Methuselah, with all who own his sway. 
 In presence of the Ark by Noah built. 
 With celebration, at autumnal tide. 
 
 Hold, for the Harvest-Home — a feast of bread 80 
 
 And wine, and of thanksgivings xmto God. 
 Not in this festival would Lamech join. 
 Albeit holy, by his grief withheld ; 
 Grief even as holy — a father's for his son. 
 Old was this sire in. years, but older far 85 
 
 In grief; not yet attained eight hundred years — 
 In that rare time, by near two centuries 
 Short of extremest age : so long endured 
 Life's spring, and summer in primeval world. 
 Dim yet were Lamech's eyes ; for they too oft 90 
 
 With tears had been acquainted, to maintain 
 Their native brightness : his uncurled hair 
 Was over-grey, and on his shoulders drooped 
 In tresses long ; which down his breast he drew, 
 And mingled with the remnants of his beard ; 95 
 
 Shorn of its pomp of hair, a scanty grace. 
 Silent he sate, low bent ; as musing, mute. 
 Heedless of interruption : and of garb, 
 Save for one single garment, naked else ; 
 Caring for nought but what was in his mind. 100 
 
 Fast by, as by a tomb reared on a plain, 
 
THE MASSACEE, 81 
 
 Did flow the murmuring stream ; and bloom around 
 
 Green shrub, and bower ; and, at high noon, the flocks 
 
 !From solar heat retire ; and, every night, 
 
 The lone bird breathe in shades melodious doubt. 105 
 
 Unconscious he of all, in grief intense, 
 
 Only these thoughts conceiTiag — sighs, not words. 
 
 ' Happy wert thou, O Adam ; . . for thy God J 
 Prorided thee a son ; another seed. 
 
 Instead of Abel whom Cain slew, and thus, 110 
 
 To thee, himself; unsonned of both, at once. 
 But Seth was in thine image, like thyself, 
 Appointed sire of many ; thou, of all. 
 And yet, alas for Seth ; condemned to prove 
 What strife with doomed earth hath man to wage, 1 1 5 
 
 Ere it to him will render aught of good. 
 Hence was his first-born named. O Enosh, thou 
 Wert even as Abel ; happy in thy heart. 
 For thou wert good, and evil might not irk 
 A pious spirit by the Truth made free. 120 
 
 And, ah, to listen to thy lips inspired, 
 Eapt into heaven the soul, though bruised, or broken ; 
 And made the dimmest spot, and hardest chance, 
 A paradise, a mean of happlaess : 
 
 So faith can conquer what subdues the flesh. 125 
 
 Friends made he to him of the holy Prayers ; 
 Angels of light, for him, with glowing speed. 
 They sought the throne of Grace ; and wooed, from Love 
 Divine, a worshipful inheritance, 
 
 A sacred fellowship of holy men, 130 
 
 A peaceful brotherhood of charity. 
 By Cainan well expressed, his first born son, 
 Eight-worthy image of a worthy sire : 
 To whom, as a possession, earth was given ; 
 Bought by submission, by obedience won. 1 35 
 
 Glad to the labour of the field went he, 
 
82 lAMECH, Aim EUHF. 
 
 Heart in Ms hand, and wisdom in his work j 
 
 And, in the intervals of lahour, prayed, 
 
 Or meditated on suhlimest themes. 
 
 So revelations opened on his soul, 140 
 
 GHmpses of heaven : for which, in his son's name. 
 
 He lauded God ; and offered, as a hymn. 
 
 The boy, Mahalaleel ; and taught him how 
 
 To sing thy glory, Maker of the "World. 
 
 Then, were EeUgion, Law, and Grovemment, 145 
 
 By Contemplation ordered, and his son, 
 
 Jared, held high command, A ruler he, 
 
 O'er many tribes ; like a descended god, 
 
 A priest, a Mng. Soon, competition rose j 
 
 Contest for rule, and battle for reward : 150 
 
 And men, once calling on Jehovah's name. 
 
 Profaned the solemn word ; and Seth, and Cain 
 
 Were covenant together. It is done — 
 
 Children, begotten of unlawful beds, 
 
 "Witnessed their parents' wickedness. But, then, 155 
 
 The righteous was prevented, and with G-od 
 
 Had rest. For honourable age stands not 
 
 In length of time, nor by the numerous years 
 
 Is measured. "Wisdom is grey hair to men ; 
 
 And an unspotted Ufe, that is old age. 160 
 
 Young Enoch pleased G-od, and was beloved ; 
 
 And, living among sinners, was by him 
 
 Translated ; taken speedily away. 
 
 Lest haply errour might pervert his miad. 
 
 Or guile bewitch from honesty his soul. 165 
 
 O why was I not taken from among 
 
 The wicked ; for to me may never come 
 
 Due honour as of old ? Methuselah 
 
 To me may never leave what Jared left 
 
 To him ; nor to my son may I bequeath 170 
 
 Rule unimpaired. O Noah, my son ; 
 
 Of Consolation named ; for sore I felt 
 
THE MASSACBE. 83 
 
 The appointed labour still by earth required, 
 
 And looked to thee for aidauce in my toil. 
 
 Nov vainly — with good hope by thee performed, 175 
 
 In Cainan's power, and spirit, the daily task. 
 
 Then came to thee the "Word of the Most High, 
 
 Judging the earth ; . . whence rose the mighty pile, 
 
 To swim the Deluge threatened to o'erflow. 
 
 Ah me ; . . and whither, now, hast thou gone hence ? 180 
 
 With sorrow to the grave my head is bowed. 
 
 And my soul feeds on ashes, and on duBt.\ 
 
 Alas, for Lamech, Even now the cloud, 
 Late but hand-size, develops to a storm. 
 — Shrieks loud, and long break his abstraction up ; 185 
 And Zerah, by his side who still had sate. 
 Unseen, in filial love observing him. 
 Starts to her feet — 
 
 ' O father, whence that wail ?' 
 
 But then in rushed Zateel with weapon bare. 
 Blood-stained, and cried, . . 
 
 ' Here stand I, to defend 190 
 Thee, Lamech, now. Yonder, my work is done.' 
 
 'What work, Zateel?' 
 
 ' O Zerah, may the Grod 
 Of Adam pardon what, this day, his children 
 Have shed of blood, upcrying from the ground. 
 — Far o'er the plains, the faithful Sons of Grod, 195 
 
 In presence of the Cherubim, were spread ; 
 Offering the holy feast of Bread, and Wine, 
 For Harvest well accomplished; with the shout. 
 And song of praise, and supplicating prayers. 
 There were the tribes of Seth, of Enosh there ; 200 
 
 The tribes of Cainan, and Mahalaleel ; 
 Of Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah ; 
 And thine, O Lamech : sons, and daughters both ; 
 With their sons, and their daughters ; in their tribes, 
 
 02 
 
84 LAMECH, ATTD ELIHF. 
 
 And in their generations, ordered right. 205 
 
 Midst all, upstood. Methuselah ; and blessed 
 
 The multitudes ; and cried aloud to G-od ; 
 
 And blessed the bread, and wine, and hallowed them : 
 
 Partaken soon of all with joy of heart. 
 
 "When, hark, the yell of onset ; and the men 210 
 
 Of Naid, and Enos ; by Azaradel, 
 
 With numbers from the City of the Wild, 
 
 Enforced, and guided ; skirt the peopled plain : 
 
 And, driving in the outer circle, make 
 
 Huge massacre of man, and woman ; boy, 215 
 
 And girl ; the aged, and the infant ; slain. 
 
 Without remorse, or pity. What I could, 
 
 I did, with this good sword, to stay the slaughter ; 
 
 While of the inner ranks as many as might 
 
 Pled, and sought refuge : some even in the Ark ; 220 
 
 Before which stood Methuselah, as guard ; 
 
 With Japhet, Shem, and Ham. Then I sped hither ; 
 
 To thee, and Zerah.' 
 
 While he spake, Elihu 
 Appeared before them, saying ; 
 
 ' my father ; 
 The youngest, and the sole-left of thy sons 225 
 
 Kneels for thy blessing. Bless me, O my father.' 
 
 While Lamech wondered, sad Zateel replied ; 
 ' Art thou, Elihu, spared ? Then, praise the Lord, 
 The Merciful. Lamech, pardon me — 
 I sought to shield thy heart from a new blow, 230 
 
 That weU might break it ; now, thou knowest all. 
 The day was ordered so, the tribe of Lamech 
 Lay, as the last in time, the last in rank ; 
 Where massacre began, nor paused an instant. 
 Tin aU were sacred to the wanton sword.' 235 
 
 ' Alone scaped I to tell,' Elihu said : 
 ' Nor thus had scaped, but that the plagfue was stayed, 
 By miracle divine. Before the Ark, 
 
THE MASSACRE. 85 
 
 Whither had fled the people, Japhet stood, 
 
 With Shem, and Ham, and old Methuselah. 240 
 
 — ' Approach not,' cried the aged Patriarch ; 
 
 ' For hiow, my Death produceth the outbreak 
 
 Of what ye dread ; and only by my death 
 
 New victims ye may reach. Away, fond men — 
 
 Slay me, and from the heavens the Floods descend, 245 
 
 In sudden vengeance ; and from earth shall rise ; 
 
 Deep eaU to deep, and heaven to earth reply.' 
 
 — As smitten with conviction of these words. 
 
 The Cainites paused, in superstitious fear ; 
 
 And saw increase in splendour, as in wrath, 250 
 
 The Cherubim ; and glow, with fiercer fire. 
 
 The flashing Sword ; whence darted terrour forth : 
 
 Terrour so terrible, the enemy 
 
 Fled as before the Angel of the Lord. 
 
 In heaps they fled, and of each other made 255 
 
 Havoc ; as, in their fear together thronged. 
 
 Either by other's death his life preserved.' 
 
 While thus spake they ; Lameeh, in silence deep. 
 As it were death, and prostrate as in slumber, 
 Clasped Earth ; seeking, perhaps, within her bosom 260 
 To sleep, as in a mother's would a child ; 
 And answer none returned to sigh, or word, 
 Heedless of sympathy, and scorning comfort. 
 — Soon Japhet, Shem, and Ham came there to him ; 
 And wept to see him weep not ; wept aloud, 265 
 
 But vainly. Ne'ertheless, with him they stayed, 
 And sate about him seven days, and nights ; 
 And oftentimes Methuselah repaired, 
 To help them in the labour of their love ; 
 But, when they saw his grief was great, forbore 270 
 
 With words to wound him ; and in silence watched. 
 
86 LAMBOH, AND ELIHU. 
 
 II. 
 
 And when these days were ended, Lamech spake ; 
 
 ' O that to me no children had been bom. 
 
 The Comfort of mj work is rapt away ; 
 
 I know not whither ; even like Enoch gone, 273 
 
 Perhaps with God, but stiU to Lamech lost. 
 
 that to me no children had been bom. 
 
 AU slain, slain, slain, by Murther's cruel hands ; 
 
 All — and their families — their little ones — 
 
 Their wives — sons — daughters ; withered, past away, 280 
 
 Like visions of the night. Ah, I have dreamed 
 
 That I had children. 'Twas a lying dream : 
 
 1 waked, and found I was a barren man. 
 And well I was so ; for had I not been. 
 
 They had been martyred. So they were ; they were. 285 
 
 that the sap of life had been dried up 
 "Within me ; and the marrow of my bones 
 Perished, from the beginning of my days ; 
 Or they had ne'er begun. Tea ; cursed be 
 
 The day that hailed me first : and on the night 290 
 
 When it was said, a man-ehUd is conceived, 
 
 Be malediction. Let it see no dawn : 
 
 But be for ever lost to blessed light ; 
 
 Not only of the sun, but moon, or star. 
 
 "Why died I not beneath my mother's heart ? 295 
 
 Then, had I now been stiE ; been quiet now : 
 
 1 should have slept : then, sweet repose were mine ; 
 "With Patriarchs, and with Prophets — Adam, Seth, 
 Enosh, and Cainan ; with Mahalaleel, 
 
 And Jared ; and, perhaps, with Enoch too : 300 
 
 "With kings, who buUt them places desolate ; 
 
 "With princes, who had gold, and houses fuU 
 
 Of silver. There, the wicked cease from troubling, 
 
 The weary be at rest — the prisoners, there. 
 
 Unheard the oppressor's voice : the small, and great ; 305 
 
LAMECH's lAMENTATIOir. 87 
 
 The servant, master-free ; there rest together. 
 
 in the many chambers of the grave, 
 
 There dwell high thoughts, and populous memories ; 
 There are my treasures hid, there let me go.' 
 Then Japhet answered : 
 
 ' Wherefore wouldst thou leave 
 Even us who love thee ? Are not we thy sons, 
 Sons of thy son, even Noah ? Let us be 
 In place of whom thou grievest.' 
 
 But Lamech cried — 
 ' God, that thou wouldst grant me my request ; 
 Spare not, destroy me. Is he Man, who would 315 
 
 Teach to my grey hairs wisdom ? Have I erred ? 
 Would he reprove the desperate ? Teach me then — 
 Submiss am I to learn — thou sage to teach — 
 "Why should I not loathe life ? Why should I vrish 
 To live for ever ? Are the days of Man 320 
 
 Aught else but vanity ? and is there not 
 A time appointed, when reward shall be ? 
 And shall I not complain ; and not express 
 Anguish of spirit, bitterness of soul ?' 
 
 A solemn thought then sate on Japhet's brow : 325 
 
 ' A happy man is he whom God corrects ; 
 Therefore despise not chastening divine. 
 Speateth not God in dreams ? Here, watching thee — 
 Thought was tumultuous ; visionary, night ; 
 Deep sleep on all had fallen ; and none beheld, 830 
 
 Or heard, beside myself the fearful Thing : 
 For lo, a Spirit passed before my face. 
 
 1 trembled, my bones rattled horribly ; 
 My flesh crept, and its hair all bristled up : 
 
 I could not choose but gaze — and It stood still — 335 
 
 That Shape, if shape it were ; for what its form 
 Discern I might not. But an Image stood 
 Before me, silent : then, I heard a Voice — 
 
'88 LAME OH, AITD ELIHTJ. 
 
 ' Shall Man, who mourns, be justified before 
 
 The Almighty ? — Man, in best estate, be pure 340 
 
 In his Creator's presence ? Angels he 
 
 With foUy charges ; and is man exempt, 
 
 Dwelling in clay, and founded in the dust ; 
 
 Crushed ere the moth, and perished ere the eve ; 
 
 His beauty first departed, and devoid 345 
 
 Of wisdom ; mind with body even decayed ?' 
 
 — Then be not wroth : commit thy cause to God. 
 
 Thy seed he can increase ; thine offspring yet 
 
 Perpetuate, lite the verdure of the earth ; 
 
 And save thee from the grave till latest age, 350 
 
 A shock of com in season fully ripe.' 
 
 ' I know it, of a truth ;' — ^then, Lamech cried — 
 ' Even so the unwritten word of Enoch saith, 
 Tradition sacred, that no flesh shall be 
 Before its Maker just.* "Were I to say, 355 
 
 That I am perfect, I were proved perverse ; 
 Nay, grant me perfect, the Supreme destroys 
 The pious, and the impious both alike ; 
 For what avails the excellence of dust ? 
 Hence is my soul aweary of my life ; 360 
 
 For he hath given the earth into the grasp 
 Of vricked men . . the blessed land of trees 
 And herbs, and fruits, and waters, . . hill, and vale, 
 Though holy. God ; thou hidest in thy heart 
 Decree divine ; I sin, thou markest me ; 365 
 
 Am wicked, and woe to me ; righteous, yet 
 My head I may not lift ; yet shall I die 
 
 * The passages here and elsewhere referred to as " the nnvfrittcn word 
 of Enoch," are to be found in the pseTtdo Ethiopian prophecy ; and which 
 is thus used on the hypothesis of its including some traditions of Enoch, 
 though not the genuine Book of the patriarch j such genuine Book heing 
 subsequently given in this poem, as supposed to be revealed by inspiration 
 to the Poet. 
 
xamech's lamentation. 89 
 
 Even as the sinner . . die in grief, and gloom. 
 
 And what advantage have I over him ? 
 
 Are we not equal ? Equal are the dead, 370 
 
 Nor look on light for ever. MeanwMle, he. 
 
 With meat, and drink ; with plunder, rapine, lust, 
 
 "Wealth, and good days ; hath been made arrogant : 
 
 But the poor saint has sorrowed, while he lived. 
 
 And died in trouble ; going to the land 375 
 
 Of darkness, and the shadowy vale of Death ; 
 
 The shadowy vale of Death, of order void ; 
 
 And where the very light as darkness is — 
 
 Let me alone, and soothe me as I may.' 
 
 Here Lamech paused ; and Shem to him replied : 380 
 ' Art thou as Adam, first-created man, 
 Or wast thou made before the hiQs, and hast 
 The Almighty's secret heard ? Or hast thou quaffed, 
 Like Enoch, wisdom from the fount of God, 
 With whom the spirit of instruction dwells, 385 
 
 And power, and the souls of those who sleep 
 In righteousness P Sayest thou, that he destroys 
 The perfect, that of thee may none infer 
 Aught other from the doom on thee divulged ? 
 But gave not Enoch to Methuselah 390 
 
 The word of wisdom ? Blessed — blessed all 
 The righteous ; blessed they, for unto them 
 Shall mercy come, and utter might accrue. 
 And sinners be delivered. Would my eyes 
 Were clouds of water, and my tears might flow, 395 
 
 Like to the rain that Noah hath foretold 
 The world shall overwhelm ; then, might I weep 
 What woes shall seize the wicked. To the wise 
 The earth was given ; neither need they fear 
 The sinner's strength. Breaks in the oppressor's ears 400 
 A dreadful sound ; late by the Cainite heard. 
 When he his hand stretched out against his God. 
 
90 lAMECH, AND ELIHF. 
 
 "Woe, woe, to ^im who builds Ms house with crime ; 
 
 And lays of fraud foundation ; and acquires 
 
 Silver, and gold. His riches shall depart ; 405 
 
 His chambers be subverted. "Woe to him, 
 
 "Who to his neighbour renders recompense 
 
 Of evil. — "Woe unto the proud of power, 
 
 "Who feedeth on the glory of the com, 
 
 And drinketh at the sources of the spring ; 410 
 
 To him shall be denied Life's Fountain pure, 
 
 N"or of the Tree of Life shall he partake. 
 
 "Woe to the crafty ; to the simple, woe — 
 
 Contemplatists of earth, effeminate, 
 
 And clad hke women, gorgeously, and vaia : 415 
 
 Like water, shall their falsehood flow away, 
 
 And foUy. "Woe to him, the obdured in heart — 
 
 The stained with blood, the witnesser of Ues, 
 
 To him who worships idols, or who makes. 
 
 But wait ia hope, ye righteous ; iu the day 420 
 
 Of suffering, your posterity shall soar 
 
 Like eagles, and your nests be built on high, 
 
 Safe in the rocks ; and, iu the rocky clefts, 
 
 Prom sight imgodly be securely hid.* 
 
 — Therefore, prepare thy heart ; and stretch thy hands 425 
 
 Toward thy G-od, Lamech : — ^put away 
 
 "Whate'er offence be thine ; so unto thee 
 
 Shall restoration come ; thy griefs forgot ; 
 
 Or but remembered as the waters are, 
 
 "When passed away. Then, clearer than the noon 430 
 
 Shall be thine age, more glowing than the mom.' 
 
 Hereat, in passionate grief, Lamech exclaimed : 
 * Heard I not Enoch ? Am not even I 
 Son of Methuselah, sire of thy sire ? 
 
 * These sublime passages are all adaptations &om the Ethiopian Book 
 of Enoch. 
 
LAMEOH's LAMENTATIOir. 91 
 
 'Tis now long since that Wisdom found no place, 435 
 
 On earth, she might inhabit ; though of old 
 
 She came to dwell among the sons of men, 
 
 Ere Cain forsook her presence. Banished thus, 
 
 She to her throne returned, her heavenly seat, 
 
 Amidst the angels ; Sister-spouse of him, 440 
 
 The Secret, and Elect, whose name was named. 
 
 Even ia the dwelling of the Holy Ones, 
 
 Ere that the sun, and starry signs were made. 
 
 Siace then, of all mankind, she thee hath chose 
 
 To visit only, and with thee hath vowed 445 
 
 To live, and die. Better it thee befits. 
 
 Pity to shew to sorrow, than rebuke. 
 
 The arrows of the Almighty are within, 
 
 0, and their poison drinks my spirit up. 
 
 But wherefore should I be to thee, as one 450 
 
 Whose slipping feet are like a lamp despised 
 
 To him who walks at ease ? Yet well I know. 
 
 That Wisdom unto thee hath not yet shewn 
 
 The palace of her treasure ; nor declared 
 
 The secret path thereto, by lion's whelps 455 
 
 TJntrod as yet, by lion never passed. 
 
 Known to no fowl, by vulture's eye unseen ; 
 
 Since thou not knowest, that who would seek out this. 
 
 Must rise to higher wisdom, than concerns 
 
 Life natiu-al, or spiritual life ; 460 
 
 Whereof experience none hath yet been had. 
 
 Tet ask the beasts, and they shall teach thee true ; 
 
 The fowls of air shall tell thee ; — earth, and sea. 
 
 With voice oracular, avouch — with Him 
 
 Abides the Soul of every living thing, 465 
 
 The breath of all mankind — AH- wise is he, 
 
 And his alike deceiver, and deceived. 
 
 Herein is wisdom ; whoso knows her ways. 
 
 He can declare, that good, and evil both 
 
 Befall the righteous, and the wicked, too. 470 
 
92 LAMEOH, AlTD ELIHF. 
 
 Nay, that the wicked prosper, and hold rule 
 
 In the dominions of sublunar Ufe, 
 
 Such pregnant iastance in these days have we. 
 
 Divine interposition needs prevent. 
 
 And he, who first created, now destroy. 475 
 
 They do remove the landmarks ; and compel 
 
 Flocks not their own away, whereof they feed — 
 
 Afar they drive the orphan's Ass, and take 
 
 The widow's Ox in pledge ; themselves meanwhile, 
 
 Like the Onagras of the desart, prey 480 
 
 Upon the needy, yet in their own fields 
 
 Beap every one his corn, and gather in 
 
 His vintage. This our eyes have seen ; and how 
 
 The murtherer, rising with the day, hath slain 
 
 The poor ; and, ia the night, is as a thief. 485 
 
 Did He not now permit the robber band 
 
 To slay my offspring, children of the Just ? 
 
 For is he not Jehovah ? and besides. 
 
 There is no God but he. He formed the Ught, 
 
 And darkness he produced. Peace is his work, 490 
 
 And evU he creates. Be silent, clay. 
 
 — Tet wiU I trust in thee. Crush not, God, 
 
 A withered leaf, thus driven to and fro. 
 
 My purposes are broken, with the heart 
 
 "Which thought them ; and for me the light is brief, 495 
 
 Anxious awaiting darkness, and the grave. 
 
 Corruption, welcome ; thou my father art — 
 
 Hail, worm ; my mother, and my sister thou. 
 
 Tet earth hides not my blood; nor God rejects 
 
 A father's tears. He knows my prayer is pure.' 500 
 
 III. 
 
 Thus Lamech spake : grief brought him to a pause. 
 So long they argued, that the day was gone : 
 Unmarked the sunset, though most beautiful ; 
 
LAMECH'B EESIGNATIOir. 93 
 
 But night was glorious. In that orient clime, 
 
 Heaven kissed the earth, so nigh to her embrace ; 505 
 
 And broad as bright the stars, and the round moon 
 
 "Was larger than the sun to other lands. 
 
 And like to moons the planets, worlds indeed. 
 
 Seemed to the upward gazer, as he lay ^ 
 
 Supine, that with the people of those orbs 510 
 
 He might converse ; that voices might be pealed 
 
 From sphere to sphere, communicant of mind. 
 
 Day hath no pomp like this : so splendid nought. 
 
 And nought so shadowy soft — so like a dream. 
 
 And yet so real — all so hushed, and deep ; 515 
 
 Holily breathless, awfuUy serene. 
 
 With look intense up to the sacred Night, 
 
 (That there displayed to him the Universe, 
 
 The choral echo, image multiform 
 
 Of that diviuest "Word, which, fiHaUy, 520 
 
 Affirming the great Being, and his own. 
 
 Pronounced Beginning in Eternity, 
 
 And spake the heavens, and earths to wonderous birth ;) 
 
 Ham there reclined adoring, silently : 
 
 His steady soul collected in that act 525 
 
 Of worship pure. Slow, then, to thought restored. 
 
 Utterance scarce conscious murmured, like a gush 
 
 Of waters from a fountain in a vale. 
 
 In sweetest undertones, yet not unheard 
 
 In whispers by the children of the hills ; 530 
 
 Or like the mellowed sounds of ocean's roar. 
 
 That comes in sighs to far, and lofty cliff, 
 
 "Whereon the traveller, looking o'er the main, 
 
 Stretches his length, else dizzy with the height. 
 
 — Thus deep his soul ; thus distant from the sense, 535 
 
 The emotions lowly syllabled by Ham — 
 
 ' Far hyaline of light ; dwells not in thee 
 The Eternal ? Stars, how high are ye ; how high 
 
94 IiAMECH, ASTD ELIHU. 
 
 That height above you ; far above that height, 
 
 The throne of the AJl-Holy. Say, can He 540 
 
 Look, from that elevation, through blue sky. 
 
 Or darkened cloud — (for sometimes even thy smooth, 
 
 O Sea of Glass, storms wrinkle, and obscure 
 
 Mirrour so placid now) — and from the heaven, 
 
 Whose circuit he inhabits, stoop to judge ? 545 
 
 So sinners deem yon deep expanse a veil 
 
 That hides them from his eyes, and him from theirs. 
 
 Tet with good things their houses who hath filled, 
 
 If not the boimteous Maker ? Who but he 
 
 Shall their foundations with the Mood destroy ? 550 
 
 Make then to him thy prayer ; and he shall raise 
 
 The humble, and restore the meek of heart. 
 
 Fride was not made for man ; and what may boast 
 
 In presence of the Eternal ? Lo — ^behold, 
 
 Badiant the stars ; though lofty, yet be they 555 
 
 Not pure in the Eyes of Him who made them so. 
 
 Not pure, all sin, though all sin not alike ; 
 
 And sorrow waits on sin, just punishment. 
 
 Hence, righteously, the righteous are condemned 
 
 To months of pain, and nights of weariness. 560 
 
 Thus God is justified ; and, in the end, 
 
 Win doubtless vengeance take for the oppressed ; 
 
 Though ill it man beseems to call to him 
 
 Eor justice on his fellow, who himself 
 
 Is yet imperfect, and deserving wrath, 565 
 
 — Attend we then in patience, and in faith. 
 
 That equitable state, which saint, and sage 
 
 Shall recompense ; unanxious of what doom 
 
 May crush the worser sinner — rather hope 
 
 In mercy his redemption, that to us, 570 
 
 Coming to all, compassion may be sent. 
 
 !Por, from the gulf that separates too oft 
 
 Success from human merit, soars a voice, 
 
 Announcing diflFerence in man, and beast. 
 
lamech's eesignation. 95 
 
 Whose aims aje prosper to their destiaed end. 575 
 
 Difference in kind, no less than in degree ; 
 
 Ay, and a contradiction ia ourselves, 
 
 Creation elsewhere knows not ; Mind, and WiU. 
 
 Diverse in law, and choice ; and what the sense 
 
 Affects too mean to satisfy the soul : 580 
 
 Whence an enigma all the world without ; 
 
 Fortune, and circumstance ; whereof the word. 
 
 That may the riddle solve, is then pronounced 
 
 Whene'er the human feels itself divine ; 
 
 Set free &om sense, and free from accident, 585 
 
 Immortal ; giving Nature's transiency 
 
 Permanent attributes, like to its own ; 
 
 Beauty, and Order ; Harmony, and Law ; 
 
 Motive, and deep Significance sublime ; 
 
 Tea, and Existence — testifying thus 590 
 
 To its own being — ^its eternity — 
 
 And oracling a promise of a state 
 
 Continuous ; and adapted to content. 
 
 And to employ each organ, pre-assured, 
 
 Anticipant, prophetic of its use, 595 
 
 In region suited to its highest aim ; 
 
 Whereof credential Enoch gave to man, 
 
 WTio walked with G-od in groves of Paradise. 
 
 — With Him, the Woman's Seed, the One foredoomed 
 
 To sway the kingdom of the skies, the Hour 600 
 
 Abides, that shaU reveal the treasures hid, 
 
 And kings, and warrioors from their couches raise. 
 
 The teeth of sinners break, and from their thrones 
 
 The mighty hurl. The Light of Nations he ; 
 
 The Eock whereon the holy shall depend ; 605 
 
 The Hope of troubled hearts. Before the world, 
 
 He was ; and, in the presence of our Gfld, 
 
 The portion of the righteous has preserved ; 
 
 Himself their lot, and life. When he appears, 
 
 None shall be saved by silver, or by gold ; 610 
 
96 LAMECH, AND EIiIHr. 
 
 Nop by escape, or fligtt ; nor shall ttere be 
 
 Iron for war, or mail-coat for the breast. 
 
 But blessed they who trust in the Elect ; 
 
 For them the Hght of everlasting life 
 
 Is as the sun, and a perpetual day ; 615 
 
 For darkness shall be scattered, and destroyed, 
 
 Ajad they shall magnify the name of G-od, 
 
 For his long-suffering to a guilty world, 
 
 And for the glory for the good prepared.'* 
 
 Thus counselled Ham ; and Lamech thus replied : 620 
 ' I know the Eternal my Eedeemer is — 
 Surriving all things, and transcending dust. 
 With frame renewed, and in immortal flesh, 
 God shall I see ; mine eye shall see him then. 
 Estranged no more — my Advocate, my Judge. 625 
 
 My heart consumes within me at the thought : 
 I pant to stand before him. Then will I 
 His mercy implore, myosins acknowledging ; 
 This chiefly ; that with murmuring discontent. 
 On stubborn earth my brow's sweat I bestowed, 630 
 
 Eegarding not herein creating Love, 
 That willed all pleasures, or of body, or mind. 
 Should be by labour earned ; suspending thus 
 Eatal indulgence, and obliging man 
 
 To wake sublimer faculties, to war 635 
 
 Successfully with nature, by the might 
 Of ghostly power. The families of men 
 Had reared them habitations on the earth ; 
 Founding their cities on the rocky steeps. 
 Or in vale-hollows, sacred to their sons, 640 
 
 Named by their names, or honoured with their own — 
 Nay — even won them from the fearful wilds. 
 
 * The foregoing remarkable passages are also from the Ethiopian Book 
 of Enoch. 
 
lamech's eesignation. 97 
 
 Hence I, the eighth from Adam, had to seek 
 
 Eemoter dwelling, for a later race, 
 
 In soil yet virgin of the plough, or spade. 645 
 
 — Herein, aright considered, mercy was, 
 
 That Life in me might be developed full ; 
 
 Moral, and intellectual. Spirit acts, 
 
 Nor can be idle ; or if idle, dies. 
 
 Hence speculation evermore suggests 650 
 
 Inquiry, and new knowledge ; to erect 
 
 System on fact ; then only edified 
 
 Secure, when theory is built on truth. 
 
 Hence Eeason (by like spiritual act 
 
 As Nature is subdued, ere for the frame 656 
 
 Of outward life provision may be made,) 
 
 Must hold like war with Nature, on a stage 
 
 Of nobler conflict ; in her strongest holds 
 
 Of low propensity, or feeling high ; 
 
 Ere right intelligence may rule ; and Will, 660 
 
 Admonished in the members, to a Will 
 
 Superiour yield, and it in act express. 
 
 In practice, as in precept, still supreme. 
 
 — Oh, as in seasons past that I were now ; 
 
 Then God was with me — ^then my children were. 665 
 
 He breaketh down that none can build again ; 
 
 He shutteth ; none can open : he withholds 
 
 The waters ; they dry up : he sends them out ; 
 
 And they the earth o'erturn. Speed, G-od of doom — 
 
 Make ready, as a king prepared for war. 670 
 
 Shake, from the oppressor's vine, the grape unripe ; 
 
 And, as the olive, cast his flower away : 
 
 Let not the dew lie on the wicked branch, 
 
 Let it not come to verdure. Rise — arise — 
 
 Blood of the righteous ; from the earth ascend, 676 
 
 Ajid cry in heaven before him. Tet, oh spare 
 
 The innocent — so that thy work, great God, 
 
 Perish not utterly from off the earth. 
 
98 LAMECH, AND ELIHU. 
 
 Perish therefrom who have offended thee ; 
 
 But be the upright stablished, as a plant, 680 
 
 To flourish, and bear seed, for evermore.'* 
 
 Thus ended Lamech : and all had relapsed 
 Into like silence, utter and intense, 
 As the deep stUlness that was broken then, 
 When grief found words which else had madness found ; 
 But here EUhu interposed, with speech 
 Of wonderous wisdom, though the youngest there ; 
 And whereof, in the end, more wonder grew : 
 Such great event, and high result ensued. 
 
 IV. 
 
 ' Pather beloved, God is merciful. 690 
 
 Hath he not, for thy sake, EUhu spared ? 
 That, even tiU Noah do return, a son 
 May for his absence comfort, and their loss 
 Whose cruel doom I weep. Oh, I had spoke 
 Ere this ; and with my grief thy grief relieved ; 695 
 
 But that, of youth admonished, I was fain 
 Tears should teach wisdom. But there is in man 
 A spirit, and the inspiration of 
 The Almighty knowledge gives ; of matter full, 
 Aud as with wine, am I constrained to speak. 700 
 
 Tea, now esteem me in God's stead to thee ; 
 A Mediatour, but of clay composed, 
 Whose terrour need not make thee sore alraid. 
 — Think not, O Father, that the Highest seeks 
 Occasion to afflict, who loveth all 705 
 
 The creatures he hath made : yet, sooth to say, 
 Greater than man, he stoops not to account. 
 Or, if he speaks, man's understanding fails. 
 
 * The text is here •again indebted to some majestic verges in fchs 
 mthiopiftu Book of Enoch 
 
iamech's death. 99 
 
 In dreams, in visions of the night, when sleep 
 
 Deepens on men ; in slumberings on the bed ; 710 
 
 Them hath he visited, himself revealed. 
 
 In sorrows also, tempering human pride. 
 
 He chastens even with life-abhorring pain. 
 
 And flesh-consuming agony, the soul 
 
 He would from hell deliver. Oft hath he 715 
 
 To such his Angel sent, interpreting 
 
 The grievous visitation merciful, 
 
 Instracting how uprightly thence to walk, 
 
 And thus avoid the need of lesson hard. 
 
 So worketh God with man. And why ? that light 720 
 
 His life shall see, who loved the darkness erst. 
 
 Because his deeds were evil, now are good. 
 
 And shall we say, it nothing proflteth 
 
 Man should deHght his soul with God ? Be far 
 
 From God injustice. Tor his works, shall man 725- 
 
 Abide the eternal Judgement ; nor may he 
 
 Arraign decree divine. From whom hath God 
 
 His charge o'er earth derived ; and who for him 
 
 The universe disposed ? Let him but will, 
 
 The spirit, and breath of man should be recalled ; 730 
 
 All flesh shall perish, and return to dust. 
 
 When he gives quiet, who can trouble make ? 
 
 He hides his face — who can behold the same 
 
 Of nations, or of men ? Befits us well 
 
 To say, that we have borne due chastisement, 735 
 
 And vsrill ofiend no more. For none may claim 
 
 More righteousness than what to God belongs, 
 
 And think no profit to be cleansed from sin. 
 
 — What can it profit thee ? — Nay, rather, him ? 
 
 Look to the heaven — behold the clouds aloft ; 740 
 
 Thou sinnest ? well : 'gainst Him what doest thou ? 
 
 Art righteous ? what receives He thence from thee ? 
 
 Thee — others — it may hurt, or may avail ; 
 
 But the Most High how can it move, or reach ? 
 
 h2 
 
100 LAMECH, AND ELIHU. 
 
 Yet may his work be seen, even though from far — 745 
 But who can uuderatand it, or know Him ? 
 'Tis wisdom, not to question, but adore.' 
 
 Elihu thus. Even as he spake ; the Youth, 
 Beautiful ever, glowed more beautiful. 
 "Whoso beheld him, saw a mystery 750 
 
 In his composure, and his youthfulness : 
 Nor seemed his youth as of few years, but as 
 Of dateless, and unchanged eternity ; 
 Even as the form of Wisdom, ere the hills 
 Begotten, yet new always in all ages ; 755 
 
 Simple, aud childlike, to the child a child. 
 To youth a youth appears ; howbeit to age 
 Not old, but blooming fresh, as in the day 
 Of her espousals ; and with growing charms. 
 Yet undiscovered, smiling, when the grave 760 
 
 Imprisons flesh, to set the spirit free. 
 
 Softened to tears, hereat old Lamech wept : 
 ' Elihu, still hast thou a prophet been. 
 Though youngest of my sons, and now the sole. 
 More wisdom yet this day hath dwelt in thee, 765 
 
 Than in all former days, though ever wise. 
 And who am I, that should contend with God ? 
 Nay, shall I answer him who speaks in thee ? 
 Once have I spoken, and again : but now, 
 I lay my hand upon my mouth. I know, 770 
 
 Thou canst do every thing, O Lord, my God ; 
 And that no thought from thee can be withheld. 
 Grief from my heart hath utterance wrung of things 
 Not understood, too wonderful for me : 
 But even herein I find, that it was good 775 
 
 Eor me to be afflicted : wiser hence, 
 Now know I what I cannot know ; and where 
 Experience ends ; and whence Eaith upward soars. 
 Faith ? even by hearing of the ear it hath 
 
lamech's death. 101 
 
 Come hitherto ; but now, as with the eye, 780 
 
 It sees the Eternal. Dazzled with the gaze. 
 How vile seem I ; abhorrent to myself— 
 Great God ; in dust, and ashes I repent.' 
 
 ' And God ' . . Elihu said . . ' hath looked on thee. 
 And seen thy. sorrow, to compassionate — 785 
 
 The Merciful. Hence was I sent to thee ; 
 To utter words of comfort, to reveal 
 The purposes of "Wisdom. He forgives 
 What grief imagines lest the heart should break ; 
 Climbing for solace to the Throne of God, 790 
 
 In daring question ; and meet answer finds. 
 Thy sins are pardoned, and thine end shaU be 
 That of the righteous. But behoves it first. 
 That Noah should return. And lo, he comes. 
 A blessed death shall thine, Lamech, be.' 795 
 
 Then Lamech looked, and saw his Son aby, 
 Led by Methuselah, in solemn talk — 
 Oldest of men ; image herein express, 
 Antient of Days, of thee. Mysterious Man ; 
 Nay, an embodied mystery, in his 800 
 
 Identity, to whoso him bethinks. 
 How hard on earth that absolute to hit, 
 Of all relations head : wisest, or best ; 
 Or worst, or simplest ; in extreme degree : 
 Knowing it is, yet what, or where unknown : 805 
 
 In aU that is, inferring, elsewhere, is 
 Stni something more, above it, or below ; 
 Wiser, or better ; worse, or simpler, stiU. 
 Oldest of Men — the Abstract Sublime of Age — 
 Like an Idea in its Purity 810 
 
 To contemplation, worthy thought's high mood ; 
 By fancy deemed Old Age Impersonate ; 
 A patriarch indeed. And well expressed 
 The venerable man, the kingly priest, 
 
102 LAMECH, AND ELTHr. 
 
 To fleshly eye, proportions visible 815 
 
 Of dignity ; in sinews, thews, and limbs ; 
 
 Majestic height, expanse of chest, and breadth 
 
 Of shoulders, and of back ; surmounted with 
 
 A head magnificent as that of Jove, 
 
 Sculptured by that old sculptour's hand, who, taught 820 
 
 Of Homer's song, that ancientest of heads 
 
 "With manliest beauty, most luxuriant hair, 
 
 And beard august, elaborate, and profu.se. 
 
 Invested, with ambrosial locks adorned. 
 
 — Melchizedek he might have seemed, the priest 825 
 
 Of the Most High, who met, with bread, and wine, 
 
 (Eefpeshment for himself, and wearied troops,) 
 
 Abram returned from rout of Elam's king, 
 
 Chedorlaomer ; and those other kings,) 
 
 In Siddim's slimy vale, who battle waged, 830 
 
 And won, but to be lost again to him. 
 
 The Father of the Faithful. He pursued 
 
 The victors unto Dan ; by Salem's prince 
 
 In Saveh's royal dale, on his return, ■ 
 
 Blessed. Priestly monarch, sacramental type ; 835 
 
 Whose priesthood of eternal Order was. 
 
 And he a priest for ever, as would seem ; 
 
 Fatherless, motherless, without descent. 
 
 Having beginning none of days ; nor end 
 
 Of life : to him, as to his greater, gave 840 
 
 Abram the tenth of spoil. Similitude 
 
 Divine, whose blessings rest on Abraham's sons ; 
 
 Not of the flesh, according to the faith. 
 
 — Him might have, seemed Methuselah ; whose death 
 
 Seemed distant still — his life fore-doomed to end 845 
 
 But with the world, which now by right were his. 
 
 Subdued beneath his patriarchal sway ; 
 
 Had evil, and rebellion not forbid : 
 
 Whence doom shall be pronounced. 
 
 With Noah, now, 
 
lamech's death. 103 
 
 Came on that rererend Sage ; in all the pomp 850 
 
 Of many years ; and told, in solemn wise, 
 
 Of Lamech's grief; and soon to Lamech's arms 
 
 His Son beloved presented. In embrace 
 
 Mutual they stood ; and, though in sorrow, both 
 
 Were glad, as the surrivors of a wreck, 855 
 
 Long to each other Lost, and late restored. ■ 
 
 But Lamech's gladness was the greater far ; 
 
 And, like a sluice unbarred, in deluge rushed. 
 
 And brake what it o'erfl'owed — a father's heart. 
 
 So, when for answer to his greeting sought 860 
 
 Noah ; behold, from that enraptured face, 
 
 The spirit had passed ; but left its likeness there. 
 
 In that entranced expression it had fixed ; 
 
 The last the features wore, by death impressed — 
 
 In death how lovely. Not grown rigid yet, 866 
 
 But Ufe-like ; only softer than in life ; 
 
 Life's lingering look ; and, if of motion void. 
 
 Only reluctant to forsake its shrine, 
 
 That aspect of paternal ecstasy. 
 
 END OF THIBD BOOK. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OF THE ELOOD. 
 
 ^art tfie ^eronti. 
 
 E L I H U. 
 
ARGUMENT 
 
 BOOK IV. TO VI. 
 
 rv. The transfiguratioD of ElihtL Sliem commissioned to provide for the interionr 
 of the Ark — Japhet^ to defend it &om without — Ham, to collect the animals. The 
 burial of Lamech; how interrupted by the Gainites. Debate coneeming foneral 
 rites. — ^E^l> the blind prophet. — Mockery of heroic games.— Kiel's prophet^ — is 
 stabbed. Departure of the insolents. Signs of the seasons — their mntation, and 
 uncertainly. The C^nites, hardened by these jndgements, take vengeance on the 
 Children of Abel. The Trans-Erythrason Continent. V. The Erythrfean Me— 
 The Eclogue of Junia and I4~ain. The Bong of Hon. Michael, and Azaziel wrestle ; 
 as the battle proceeds between the hosts of Cain, and Abel. The destractiou of the 
 latter — their captivity. Premonitory signs of Judgement, Discovery, by Zateel 
 and Hori, of Elihu, in the place of Adam's creation. Description of the ffunily of 
 Noah. YI. Tale of Abel. Discourse ofZateel, and Hori. The death of Hori, with 
 the apparition of Michael, Azaziel, and Elihn. Samiasa's return with Falal, the 
 sophist. — They meet Ham, and Elihn in Dudael ; surrounded by wild animals. A 
 deaart scene; between Hherem, Azaradel, Sodi, and Edna. Samiasa's impatience. 
 and Fhanuel's guardianship. Ham, and Elihu proceed, with their train of animals, 
 through the city of Enos. The people, engaged in political controversy; and 
 Tubalcain and Naamah, lost in sensual pleasures ; regard not the miracle. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OE THE FLOOD. 
 
 The Lay op LILITH'S SON; Dbeamee op Dreams, 
 Seee op Visions, m the MoENrsa Land. 
 
 Ceo-wtted with the Martyr's crown, and in the robe 
 Of purple ciactiared ; hail, triumphant Paith. 
 By thee we rise . . and rise ; our thoughts hy thee 
 Soar to the heaven, the Heaven of heavens, and bmld 
 Them habitations there. Nor these alone : 5 
 
 Thou givest wings unto the soul herself, 
 Wherewith supported, she shall downward look 
 Upon destruction ia serene repose, 
 And smile above the planetary wreck. 
 
 Thereafter, shall the immortal soul rehearse 10 
 
 What harmonies she heard at hush of Eve ; 
 Or in the quiet of the paly moon ; 
 Or audible breathings of the coy some dawn, 
 When thought profound listened, as to the stars. 
 And silence had a voice. A stiU. small voice, 15 
 
 Less than the slenderest whisper : twilight birth 
 Prom Nothing, and Creation ; as their feud 
 Were intermitted, and their strife the while 
 But amourous play had been ; — each lost in each, 
 Like light, and shade on Nature's countenance ; 20 
 
108 EXOKDITJM. 
 
 Or wave on wave, within some gentle bay, 
 
 In multitudinous unity dissolved ; 
 
 Or the light azure fihny clouds, within 
 
 The bosom of heaven's blue o'er Italy ; 
 
 Or the self-moving undulations bland 25 
 
 Of the once Athenian marbles. 'Twist that still 
 
 Small voice, and very silence, there abode 
 
 Nor embryo, nor shadow, of a sound. 
 
 And higher harmonies shall there be heard 
 Than what, from this material universe, 30 
 
 — ^In the most holy hour of sympathy 
 With its completions, when it best is felt, 
 Like an ^olian tone, within the soul, — ■ 
 Inspired imagiuation may conceive, 
 
 Of soimd, and sense, as from an oracle : 35 
 
 Higher, and happier harmonies ; unmixed 
 "With the bUnd darkness, and the wasting grief, 
 Or mournful reminiscence, which disturb 
 The sweetest music here ; though joy there be. 
 Ay, and the most ennobling joy in grief : 40 
 
 With melancholy retrospect unmixed ; 
 But warmed with that high fortitude of faith, 
 Which makes a seraph's harp all ecstasy, 
 And every number bum, as it were fire, 
 With moat substantial rapture ; at the shrine 45 
 
 Of Holiness, and Beauty kindled well. 
 
 Therefore, for Lamech's death no grief lament ; 
 But rather triumph greet his happy change. 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 Chaitge rules in life, as death. Transfigured, there, 
 
 EUhu stood. As when Messiah took 
 
 Apart, into a mountain high, those Three, 
 
 Who saw his face shine as the sun in heaven ; 
 
 His raiment pure even as the light ; the while 5 
 
 Talked Moses, and Elias, there, with him ; 
 
 Anon, o'er shadowed with a radiant cloud. 
 
 Whence cried a Voice, ' This is my Son beloved. 
 
 In whom I well delight me ; hear ye him :' 
 
 Over EUhu such the change that came. 10 
 
 His face glowed, and a spirit breathed ; enrapt. 
 
 As if a vision dawned upon his soul. 
 
 And warmed him with its lustre ; nay, enlarged 
 
 His attitude into such majesty 
 
 As would become a god ; . . . and, like a god, 15 
 
 Thus he that group bespake. 
 
 ' Effectual is 
 The prayer of pious men ; and Lamech hath. 
 That which he prayed for. Death ; his fittest doom. 
 Thus blessed, whom God corrects ; if for past sins, 
 That they may be forsaken, and forgiven ; 20 
 
 If righteous, that bUss future may surpass 
 The present pain, or be in joy secured : 
 Else taken from the ill to come away ; 
 And for the sufferer, in the worst extreme, 
 A crown of glory iacorruptible " 25 
 
 The Eternal hath prepared. Mine hath it been. 
 To comfort the expiring saint, who meets 
 EUhu now in Hades ; there, before, 
 
110 SIGNS, AND WONDEES. 
 
 Gone with his brethren, on that fatal plain 
 
 Doomed to the slaughter. Te, too, have your tasks. 30 
 
 Thine be it, Shem, the interiour of the Ark 
 
 To furnish ; both for use, and ornament. 
 
 Thine, Japhet, outside to protect, and watch 
 
 'G-ainst the designs of foes ; for such will be. 
 
 And, Ham ; thy passion, and thy crafty skiU, 35 
 
 Well, if well used, shall find employment meet. 
 
 — Go forth : and, from the desart, and the wUd, 
 
 Bring forth the savage ; beast, and bird. Know, strength, , 
 
 And wisdom shall be given thee, in the hour 
 
 Of trial in the chase. Thereafter, will 40 
 
 The time appointed come. For He shall make 
 
 Small water-drops ; and they shall pour down rain. 
 
 According to their vapour, from the clouds 
 
 Dropt, and on man abundantly distilled. 
 
 Then, unbelieving man may question God, 45 
 
 If he can understand. Or let him,, now. 
 
 Tell, if he knows, the spreadings of the clouds. 
 
 The noises of his tabernacle ; and mark 
 
 The growing gloom, whence cometh peal on peal : 
 
 My human heart is moved — when God thus speaks.' 50 
 Thus spake the Incarnate : glowing more, and more. 
 
 With glory stiU diviner. Sensibly, 
 
 Voices, and lightnings, from the electric cloud, 
 
 The presence of the Omnipotent announced. 
 
 Anon, the sound of whirlwind, and of wings ; 55 
 
 Ministering seraphs, o'er his awful head, 
 
 A canopy expanded of their plumes. 
 
 As of a fiery sky ; whUe, from amidst 
 
 That dread pavilion. Thunders thus discoursed. 
 
 ' Man ! where wast thou when Ages I decreed, 60 
 
 And laid for Space foundations ? Knowest thou 
 Of the Beginning ; when the Heavens, the Earths, 
 "His filial words, were of the Eternals born ? 
 
THE INCABNATE. Ill 
 
 To thee all void, and formless, and a deep 
 
 Of darkness, till thereon the Spirit brood, 65 
 
 And the voiced Light distinction introduce 
 
 In Hades, else conflision ; and divide 
 
 The light from darkness, making day, and night. 
 
 Light immaterial first ; tiU, self-evolved. 
 
 It shine, and glow, and bum, within, and on, 70 
 
 The earth ; and, with the watery element. 
 
 Act in construction, previous to the sun. 
 
 "Where dwelt it, then ? — now, dwells ? — the Darkness, where ? 
 
 — Hast thou commanded, since thy days, the Morn ; 
 
 And caused the Day-spring gUd the purple air ? 75 
 
 The treasures of the Snow hast thou perceived. 
 
 Or those of HaU, for time of wrath reserved ; 
 
 Of these yet inexperienced ? Canst thou tell 
 
 Who, for the overflow of Waters, cleaved 
 
 Its channel ; and divided the fit way 80 
 
 Por Lightning of the thunder ; that the Eaiu, 
 
 Whereof thou knowest not, may fall from heaven ; 
 
 In Judgement, and then Blessing ; and oft time. 
 
 On desart wild, untenanted of man. 
 
 To quicken desolation into bloom ? 85 
 
 Hence, when to heath, and waste, and far-ofi' isle, 
 
 Not habitable, or mountain too sublime 
 
 For human feet to tread, the traveller come, 
 
 Exploring, and shall see, distant or near ; 
 
 There, he shall own a God ; and laud the hand 90 
 
 Benevolent, the barren bleakest soU 
 
 That leaves not, mid frost, snow, and ice, undecked 
 
 With vegetation, but prepares a shew 
 
 Of Beauty to delight the Wanderer's eye. 
 
 — From seas, and rivers ; lakes, and rivulets ; 95 
 
 With the moist earth ; the Clouds, in vapours, rise 
 
 To elevate expanse. Hast thou explored 
 
 Their secret treasures ; searched Life's fountains out ? 
 
 Hast thou the Centre reached, or have the gates 
 
11'2 SIGNS, AND WONDESS. 
 
 Of Death to thee been opened ? Hast thou seen 100 
 
 The dreamy portals of his shadowy halls ? 
 
 Or, hast thou soared on high to other orbs, 
 
 And taken knowledge of their secret years ? 
 
 The greater Light, and less ; with the bright stars ; 
 
 Morning, and evening ? or their number learned ? 105 
 
 Canst thou unrein the Comet, or upbind ? 
 
 Or travel to Orion ? or exchange 
 
 Impulse that gives them motion, or the checks 
 
 By which the attracting Spirit reins them in ? 
 
 Canst thou command the Sea, and Earth obey 110 
 
 United influence both of Sun, and Moon ? 
 
 The Vapours draw from waters, floods from clouds, 
 
 Eeplenishing the earth with great increase 
 
 Of flowers, and fruits ? or teach the forms of things 
 
 The power to separate the beams, and rays, 115 
 
 Whence glow with various hues the works of God ? 
 
 Settedst thou in the Old Obscure the Plants, and Seeds ; 
 
 Then gavest to them the Sun, whose beams should call 
 
 Their beauty, and their produce, into life ? 
 
 Madest thou for light the Temple of the Sun ? 120 
 
 Or multiplied it sevenfold ; and shrined 
 
 In floral emblems, vegetable life, 
 
 His loving gifts, in grass, and herb, and tree ; 
 
 Each teeming to the birth, with germs, and seeds 
 
 Productive, with progressive growth endued, 125 
 
 With blood, and bone, and brain, and nerve, and skin, 
 
 According to their kinds ; the types of thine. 
 
 As they of thee, in birth, and life, and death ; 
 
 As thou, in aU things, image art of God — 
 
 Who vrisdom in the human bosom put, 130 
 
 And understanding in the human heart ? 
 
 — The cunning of thy frame, it is not thine. 
 
 The heart itself is his ; and unto him 
 
 Belongs thy spirit, as thy being doth : 
 
 And whatsoe'er, in other creatures, shews 135 
 
THE INCAENATB. 113 
 
 Thyself to thee, a shadow shews of Gk)d, 
 
 Of higher 'Wisdoin vouches, greater Power ; 
 
 Both what the seas produce, where great Whales swim, 
 
 And what ia air soars far above the earth, 
 
 Eowl in the heaven's open firmament. 140 
 
 — Behold the Hawk ; he by thy wisdom flies — 
 
 Whither the summer travels, and due south 
 
 Stretches his wings, to men ill seasons leaving — 
 
 Or, lo, the Eagle ; sure, at thy command. 
 
 She hath upmounted, and her nest on high 145 
 
 Made, where she dwells abiding on the rock, 
 
 And in the crag her palace fortifies, 
 
 Whence with a glance she dooms her far-off prey. 
 
 Fed are her young with blood ; and where the field 
 
 Craves for the slain in battle, there is she. 150 
 
 — Bemark the diligent, and frolic Fish : 
 
 Play all their work, their labour only sport ; 
 
 Them moves, not thy volition, but their own ; 
 
 Their proper mind inspires them, guides, and guards ; 
 
 To swim — to fly — to leap — ^to climb — to crawl, 155 
 
 According to their needs ; in sea, or air. 
 
 Up cataract, or palm tree, or on shore. 
 
 Some, when the streams are dry in which they dwelt. 
 
 In search of water migrate o'er dry land. 
 
 Or in the night for food ; oft time in shoals 160 
 
 Banded, with leaders marshalled rational. 
 
 With what nice judgement, they direct the blow 
 
 Against the insect : lo, from perU how 
 
 In mud they hide them ; and, when storms approach, 
 
 Sink to the bottom, to the surface soar, 165 
 
 As wishing to avoid, or to enjoy, 
 
 The agitation of impending change. 
 
 Colours, and sounds distinguish they ; and bum 
 
 With love of mate, of offspring, and of kind. 
 
 Some sleep in herds, appointtug first their watch, 170 
 
 While on the rocks they sun themselves at ease — 
 
114 SIGNS, AND WONDEES. 
 
 A peaceful race — a happy social tribe ; 
 
 Various of bulk, but still the huger size. 
 
 In consciousness of power, the more serene ; 
 
 Pearless of death, in pleasure living still, 1' "J 
 
 And dying in a moment, with least pain ; 
 
 Heirs of an element, wherein but they 
 
 May none exist, and made for their delight. 
 
 In motion slow, or swift, free from the change. 
 
 And influence of seasons, creatures bright ; 180 
 
 Bright, as if woven of beams ; amber of hue, 
 
 Or golden — azure, and green — and of aU tints — 
 
 Making the deep a marvel. Knowest thou. 
 
 How they were framed to balance, to adjust. 
 
 Their weight against the waters ; to divide 185 
 
 Their way therein ? to see — to hear — to breathe 
 
 The fluid pregnant with the air of life ? 
 
 Or how they choose to wander, or prefer 
 
 Local abode ? or from the sea saline, 
 
 Against descending currents persevere 190 
 
 To the selected stream ; there to depose 
 
 Their eggs in fitting beds, by bank, or shore ? 
 
 — Of them may man tranquillity of mind, 
 
 And abstinence of appetite, be taught ; 
 
 Wise, if he learn. Prom God their wisdom is ; 195 
 
 "Who giveth will, and wisdom even to forms. 
 
 So brief, and so minute, the straining eye 
 
 Discerns not parts, nor motion. Beauty, also, 
 
 He grants, and Music to the higher kinds : 
 
 The Birds of plumage glorious, rich of song ; 200 
 
 "Whose home is in the air, and there their road, 
 
 "Wherein they cross the ocean, visiting 
 
 East, west, north, south ; the ends of heaven, and earth. 
 
 Learn wisdom, too, of them ; for ne'er have they 
 
 Absurdly done,, nor ever folly known — 205 
 
 Accomplished ia their nature, to the bourn 
 
 Of their perfection come ; while thou hast yet 
 
THE UTOAEITATE. 115 
 
 To rise to thine by labour, and by death — 
 
 Needing redemption. Sinless are their ways, 
 
 Having affections, nor unapt to judge, 210 
 
 And act on thought, reflective, and enrapt ; 
 
 And, with their numbers various, and how sweet, 
 
 Awaking meditation in thy mind. 
 
 And ecstasy of feeling in thy heart. 
 
 Tet fierce of these are some, on raven bent ; 215 
 
 But most are gentle. So of Cattle too — 
 
 And all were thus, till Evil, made by man, 
 
 "Was found in Nature j to correct in him 
 
 ratal result, and mortal tendency. 
 
 — But in the coming age, when blessed Life 220 
 
 Shall Death have conquered ; then, will peace return 
 
 To all creation ; both to man, and beast. 
 
 For unto thee hath God dominion given 
 
 Over the inferiour kinds. AVTierefore he made 
 
 Thee in his image, that even thou shouldst rule 225 
 
 Over the fish of the capacious sea. 
 
 Over the fowl of the expanded air. 
 
 Over the cattle, and o'er all the earth. 
 
 And over every creeping thing thereon : 
 
 Blessed to be fruitful, and to multiply ; 230 
 
 And to replenish, and subdue the earth. 
 
 — ^And Bird, and Beast to thee, O Ham, shall come ; 
 
 From brake, and den j in desart, and in air ; 
 
 In quiet majesty, and peaceful might ; 
 
 Come, as of old to Adam, to be named 235 
 
 Of him ia Eden ; and as yet again. 
 
 They shall with Man abide, when He, who made. 
 
 Shall re-create the Heavens, and the Earth. 
 
 — ^Thine with their restoration reconciles ; 
 
 Nature advanced to Spirit ; when with all, 240 
 
 Even as with Shem, the Godhead shall abide. 
 
 Thrice blessed be Jehovah, God of Shem ; 
 
 By Ham, and Shem, and Japhet ; for to them, 
 
 i2 
 
116 SIGNS, AND WOITDBES. 
 
 His incommunicable Name is given, 
 
 The knowledge of himself. On earth shall be 245 
 
 His Eesidence divine-^his Mercy-Seat — 
 
 And spread his glory o'er the Cherubim. 
 
 Of human seed becomes, of human loias 
 
 His Incarnation grows — the Son of Shem, 
 
 Pacific Victor ; Lord of Heayen, and Earth ; 250 
 
 In whom the fulness of all lands convenes, 
 
 The consummation of the Age to come.' 
 
 Thus spake the Incarnate ; and was borne away. 
 Now, when the Thunder, and the Voice had ceased. 
 Together with the noise of winds, and wings ; 255 
 
 Up from the ground, where, prostrate, they adored, 
 Methuselah, with Noah, and his sons, 
 Hose ; and lo, none was with them : save there lay, 
 His face on earth, the corse of Lamech dead. 
 
 11. 
 
 Seven days from Lamech's death were passed in sorrow. 
 The day then dawning was decreed to do 
 Exequial rites to the forsaken shrine. 
 The temple of his body ; of worshipper 
 Now void, but not of God. For, as on wilds, 
 Once cultivated, once the abodes of men, 265 
 
 Altars in ruin picturesque survive. 
 By Saint, or Idol o'er-presided still ; 
 Thus, with our flesh, or buried, or cast out, 
 His Providence remains, preparing it 
 Por restoration incorruptible; 270 
 
 Therefore, o'er corse, and sepulchre, the Sun, 
 Begardless of the dead, stOl rises, sets. 
 As when the wept-for such vicissitude 
 Found grateful ; hence, the waves dance in their joy 
 Over the drowned. Air freshens yet, the fields 275 
 
BTJEIAIi OF LAMECH. 117 
 
 Laugh, and the flowers do vaunt their dewy channs ; 
 
 Though day by day, and hour by hour, Time dooms 
 
 And slays his thousands : for in earth, and sea 
 
 The human seed, in much dishonour sown, 
 
 Corrupts but to requicken gloriously. 280 
 
 O Death is kingly, and high state affects : 
 
 Quiet, and placid ; of uncertainty 
 
 Untroubled, and, with destiny at one ; 
 
 In iadependence of the illusive hours. 
 
 Crowns the pale corse what mystic majesty. 285 
 
 — Thus now, up from his bed with health aglow, 
 
 The Sun arises at this autumn tide, 
 
 Eejoicing o'er the golden sheaves of com. 
 
 Hues sport in clouds, whose fleecy skirts are checked 
 
 With silvery tints of light, and glancing shade ; 290 
 
 While the round orb awakes on the blue hills, 
 
 And the wild Deer play in his dewy beams. 
 
 And the birds sing their paeans : chief, the Lark, 
 
 His grassy couch forsaking, hymns the gate 
 
 Of everlasting heaven ; but, heard on earth 295 
 
 At intervals, the speckled warbler's song 
 
 Wafts on the breeze ; the pious Shepherd's joy. 
 
 His sinless flock unfolding, early risen. 
 
 — At later hour, that Shepherd pipes along 
 
 The hiUs, unconscious : pensively, the Feasant 300 
 
 Unlatches his lone wicket ; and his flask 
 
 The Housewife fills, as he his ripping scythe 
 
 Sharpens in preparation ; while his Dog 
 
 Expects his homely crust. As wont, the Cock 
 
 Eouses the bam ; nor Partlet wakes alone, 305 
 
 With all her scarce-fledged brood ; but eke the Maid 
 
 That, laughing underneath the shady elm, 
 
 Fills, for the dairy, swift the frothy pail, 
 
 Milched from the patient Cow. Thus Life proceeds ; 
 
 While to the grave a patriarch's corse is borne — 310 
 
 Nor cares the Woodmaa, as he cleaves the oak 
 
118 SIGNS, AND WOTTDEBS. 
 
 In the deep forest, whom amongst mankind 
 
 Grim Death hath felled ; and, on the daisied green. 
 
 The frolic Children, chasing Butterflies, 
 
 And principled in every limb with life, 315 
 
 Dream not of death ; its terrours unconceiTcd. 
 
 Of Lamech's hallowed corse, yet are there who 
 Be mindful ; friends, and foes. Prom every part, 
 — Laid in his coffin, laved, and well perfumed, — 
 Came crowds to look upon his winding-sheet, 320 
 
 And gaze on his shut eyes ; his silent mouth. 
 Closed with the fiUet ; and his tresses shorn. 
 Great were the lamentations in the ways, 
 Whenas the pomp of funeral passed by, 
 Of brethren, and of sisters, and of throngs : 325 
 
 Great was the wailing among multitudes, 
 Natural emotion, for restraint too big, 
 Nor of excess ashamed ; so worthy whom 
 They wept. Now, at the burial-place arrived. 
 In the hewn rock a sepulchre prepared, 330 
 
 They, on the threshold of its narrow porch, 
 Eepose awhile their burthen ; whiles they pray 
 Above the dead ; whiles friends, and relatives 
 Take their eternal farewell ; ere the grave 
 Close on the form they shall behold no more. 335 
 
 But ere these rites were well begun, arose 
 Loud clamour. Lo, a host of warriour men. 
 In long procession, came ; a gorgeous train. 
 On chiefs, and monarchs tending. Head of all. 
 Haughtily moved the enormous Elephant, 340 
 
 And his iateUigent proboscis swayed 
 Prom out his ivory tusks, conscious he bare 
 "What was or worthy, or of high esteem. 
 Not worthy, though of high esteem, was he ; 
 Azaradel. Next, on a Zebra, came 345 
 
 Jabal ; and Jubal, on an Antelope ; 
 
BUEIAL or LAMECH. 119 
 
 — Pull grown, and of dimensions larger far 
 
 Than, now, in Ind, associate in herds, 
 
 Timid, and shy ; or Nyl-ghau, provinc^d 
 
 North-west, 'twist Hindostan's peninsula, 350 
 
 And Persia's once renowned empery — 
 
 Hunted of Aurungzebe, when that Mogul 
 
 Held progress gay from Delhi to Cashmeer, 
 
 Summer retreat. Liker this beast to that 
 
 Which, on Euphrates, trees with jagged horns 356 
 
 Sawed down, though tangled in their bushes oft, 
 
 The hunter's easy prey : but likest far 
 
 The Unicom, though other ; for upon 
 
 That fearful brute, of high exalted horn. 
 
 Symbol express, and very type of pride, 360 
 
 Rode Tubalcain. And other chiefs were there, 
 
 In chariots lion-yoked ; and, mounted, or 
 
 On foot, the populous throng rolled after them ; 
 
 Like billows topped with foam, so thick the plumes 
 
 In ostentation worn. Eight in the midst 365 
 
 Of that funereal train, Azaradel, 
 
 Advancing, spake. — 
 
 ' Wherefore are multitudes 
 Assembled ? Hold ye politic debate. 
 How ye may cast the inevitable yoke. 
 Imposed on the surrounding lands through them, 370 
 
 The chUdren of the City of the WHd, 
 By Adon prospered, deity benign?' 
 Him answered, then, Methuselah. 
 
 ' O prince, 
 No yoke can be imposed upon the free. 
 The truly free, who are not less at large, 375 
 
 Albeit in chains, or close in dungeon penned. 
 The soul no bars, nor shackles can confine ; 
 Her liberty is of herself, or Grod, 
 Of every Being the essential Self. 
 Therefore, no controversy we maintain, 380 
 
120 SIGNS, AlTD •WDKDBES. 
 
 To break what galls us not : else, even with thee, 
 
 We might dispute the right of mortal man 
 
 To question our design, yet unsubdued ; 
 
 Or why assembled here, to assemble free, 
 
 Or not assemble, even as we list. 383 
 
 Yet know, we meet to consecrate the bier 
 
 Of Lamech ; and within the grave repose 
 
 His clay, whose soul in Hades hath found rest.' 
 
 EepUed A^aradel, the glozing prince : 
 ' To him yet higher honour had we done ; 390 
 
 By force of his descent, and rightful sway : 
 And now for such, even o'er the precipice, 
 And brink of the aU-feared grave, contention hold. 
 — Why hath not the anatomist made meet 
 The corse for the embalmer ? Why not he 395 
 
 Anointed it within with cassia. 
 And aromatic myrrh ? O kinsmen false ; 
 Were ye impatient of his poor remains, 
 Te hurried them into their resting place, 
 Seven days passed only ? Them why seventy days 400 
 Preserved ye not, to be with gum prepared. 
 In linen swathed, and shrined in carved frames ? 
 Where are the judges too, and oratours. 
 To set forth all the merits of the dead ? 
 The mausoleum might build up his fame, 405 
 
 And Earth adore his planet in the Heavens.' 
 Whereto thus Noah : 
 
 ' At the portal, now. 
 Of Man's last home, and peaceful house, we stand. 
 Wherefore should Strife upon its threshold step. 
 And, with his clangous foot, break silence there ? 410 
 
 Wherefore, since honour to the dead do we. 
 Debate the form ? Honour is honour still, 
 Whate'er its shape ; the spirit still the same. 
 Through every metamorphosis unchanged. 
 Alike indifferent to whatever mode. 415 
 
BTTEIAL or IiAlTECH. 121 
 
 Tet, free to choose, that spirit transmigrant 
 
 May not of right be bound to other will. 
 
 Our customs hare we — ye hare yours : and both 
 
 Our sorrow, and our hope, may well express ; 
 
 Or better one : yet neither may, by force, 420 
 
 Procure observance ; but, by reason, shew, 
 
 At fitting time, and place . . for time, and place 
 
 Are her's to appoint, if reason be to rule . . 
 
 The ground of preference. But now reason is. 
 
 Our custom be permitted, and obtain, 425 
 
 For future hour reserving argument. 
 
 And rather, seeing that the day arrives. 
 
 When Deluge shaU distinctions all confound. 
 
 And earth in one great interest unite, 
 
 Whither salvation, what, and how, to seek.' 430 
 
 Hereat among the ranks of Cain was zeal. 
 ' To whom are forms indifferent ?' Jubal said — 
 ' Thoughts ill expressed are maimed ; and harmonies 
 Of verbal images, and metrical 
 
 Proportions sweet, make not a pleasing song, 4.35 
 
 If unto music set unskilfully. 
 Or married unto sounds unmusical. 
 EeUgious rites are holy : holy they. 
 Inviolate as fair religion's self; 
 
 The altar as the G-od, the sacrifice 440 
 
 As he it worships. Whoso one contemns, 
 The other offends, and merits penal stripes. 
 — The sons of Cain are wise ; and, in their rites, 
 Best signify the soul's return to G-od, 
 And body to its elements restore. 445 
 
 Baise high the funeral pyre ; and let the fiame, 
 To such the corse converted, soar to heaven, 
 Type of the soul's ascent ; while with the air 
 Mingles the smoke, or into fluid melts. 
 And blend with dust the ashes ; element 450 
 
 With element composed : and thus, farewell ; 
 
1^ SIGNS, AND WONDEES. 
 
 Thus, air to air, water to water, fire 
 
 To fire, and earth to earth. Of these is Man ; 
 
 And unto these reverts, in order meet.' 
 
 This speech loud murmurs followed of applause, 455 
 
 Sent from the hosts of Cain : but, on the part 
 Of the mixed race, disapprobation rose. 
 Then weapons were unsheathed, and blood was shed 
 Betwixt the opposing creeds ; and more had been. 
 But that Azaradel, and Tubalcain 460 
 
 Together spake, apart. Soon both exclaimed : 
 ' Bring forth the Prophet. Let the gods decide.' 
 — ^At once arose the universal shout, 
 ' Bring forth the Prophet.' 
 
 And they brought him forth ; 
 Kael, bHnd seer ; bHad of mind, and eye ; 465 
 
 Who dared to deem even his own visions false. 
 Even to his own predictions infidel. 
 Yet ne'er the less believed by them who heard. 
 
 III. 
 
 ^ffw, in the rear ; high seated on a car, 
 Drawn by two Leopards ; Kael came enthroned : 470 
 
 Of a barbaric army chief adored. 
 Prince of a savage tribe, that dwelt beyond 
 The far Erythraean Sea ; once immigrant ; 
 Erom Naid, and Enos for their crimes exiled ; 
 And, free from government, thenceforth declined 475 
 
 Erom lawless human to mere animal ; 
 Half brute, but not half angel ; and yet men. 
 If but as idiots. Hence, into their souls 
 Glimpses of reason flashed an awful light, 
 More piercing made by the surrounding gloom. 480 
 
 So had they superstitions ; and from Death, 
 And from the Dead, were visited of dreams, 
 
THE BLIND PEOPHET. 123 
 
 Acceptable to I"aitli — high faculty, 
 
 By weakness to credulity reduced, 
 
 Yet even in weakness to be reverenced. 485 
 
 For them, strange meaning had the closing Tear ; 
 
 Since on its Last Day, at the mid of night, 
 
 The ghosts of the departed wont appear 
 
 To friends, and relatives ; . . who ready made 
 
 Fop spiritual visitants their house, 490 
 
 And set the room m order, and prepared 
 
 "Water to purify, and wine to welcome. 
 
 The traveller fifom worlds transcending this ; . . 
 
 Whose coming they awaited all the night, 
 
 Until the hour appointed ; then held they 495 
 
 Communion with their guests invisible — 
 
 Which whoso failed to do might vengeance fear. 
 
 Such vengeance fell on Kael. Lightning smote 
 His eyes, and so they withered ; and his frame. 
 Convulsed with the quick flash, in agony, 500 
 
 Shrunk ; and, for sickness, he was cast abroad, 
 Into the fields where corses had been strewn, 
 As one already dead, or doomed to die, 
 Left with dry bones to perish. What great Power 
 Preserved the abandoned wretch ? More helpless he 505 
 Than unprotected babe ; yet he returned 
 Even from the Place of Skeletons, to health 
 Eestored ; and, by the people, thence believed 
 With spirits, and demons, in the haunted fields, 
 Communion to have held ; whence, in their fear, 510 
 
 Him they avoided, till by priestly hands 
 Made pure, and then as prophet him esteemed. 
 
 Such Kael was ; whose inspiration, now, 
 
 Armies awaited, to decide dispute 
 
 Of rituals vain : and he, with writhings torn, 515 
 
 Prelude of unintelligible sounds. 
 
 And other signs of ecstasy, at length 
 
124 SiaifS, AND WONDEES. 
 
 "Was of clear speecli delivered ; thus it ran. 
 
 ' Pools bury, fools embalm, fools bum their dead. 
 Pling them forth to the plains : and let the bird 520 
 
 Not shun them, nor the beast, as if abhorred, 
 And doomed to hell ; but, as sweet morsels, eat, 
 And worthy entrance into worlds of bliss. 
 The feathered tribes may bear them then aloft. 
 Their pastimes to partake, and bathe in air ; 525 
 
 And the four-footed creatures on the hiQs, 
 And in the forests, and by banks of streams. 
 Teach them new pleasures, and delightful sports. 
 What murmur ? ha ! ha ! ha !' 
 
 And then he laughed, 
 So wild, and loud, and long, that all the rocks, 530 
 
 And burial places, in that field of graves, 
 Echoed the bitter mockery of that laugh. 
 Loud pealed the same from Jared's sepulchre ; 
 Mahalaleel's replied to his dread mirth ; 
 Cainan's that laugh resounded ; and the vault 535 
 
 Of Enosh was alive with that mad voice ; 
 And Seth's twin-piUared temple of repose 
 "Was wakened with the hoarse profanity ; 
 And Adam's tomb reverberated deep 
 The cachinnation ; strange, and hollow tones 540 
 
 Of laughter, and of blasphemy prolonged. 
 
 And well that scorn succeeded to allay 
 
 The growing tumult, which had else arisen. 
 
 And, in that prophet's infidelity, 
 
 Eound reason 'gainst the judgement that pronounced 545 
 
 Their prejudices void ; and, in their stead. 
 
 Proposed what all abhorred. But, in that pause, 
 
 A power, imfelt before, the savage swayed ; 
 
 And change in his aspect, and form produced, 
 
 "Whence wonder died of awe : — a gazing corse, 550 
 
 Not uninformed of life, but seized, and fixed 
 
THE BLIND PEOPHET. 125 
 
 In catalepsy, senseless — speecMess — blind ; 
 
 Though glaring, as restored to sudden sight. 
 
 But blind he stood a swarthy monument, 
 
 Gigantic ; for his hue was as the night ; 555 
 
 Burned by the sun, and clime where he was bom, 
 
 With fervency intense ; his flesh was coal, 
 
 And his blood fire, black with excessive heat. 
 
 And he was huge of size ; his limbs were cast 
 
 In mould Titanian, shrivelled yet, and shrunk 560 
 
 From what they might have been ; by indolence 
 
 Enfeebled, such as, in the wUdemess, 
 
 "Weakens the human rival of the brute. 
 
 Held by the charm whose speU he could not break. 
 
 He stood enrapt ; and, though unwiUing, spake 565 
 
 "Words, which, though true, and because true, the more 
 
 He disbelieved. 
 
 ' Laugh, Spirits of the Dead, 
 Laugh, laugh ; and, like the impatient battle-steed, 
 Cry ha ! ha ! to derision. Laugh ; ay, laugh. 
 Came not the Foe your Children to subdue ? 570 
 Came not the sons of mischief forth, to seek 
 A quarrel, and, with insult, to shed blood ? 
 Laughed not your God in heaven as they came, 
 And beckoned to the Angel of the Air, 
 "Whose sword, and symbol is the hairy Star ; 575 
 "Whereof none knows but He, who measured out 
 The appointed ages of its mystic course. 
 That it should wing its fiery way to earth, 
 And lash it with a scourge ? Make from the wreck 
 Of worlds. The void, and formless deep returns : 580 
 Such as it was, ere moved the Spirit there ; 
 Ere the quick fiat of his strong right hand 
 The Light created ; when the Sun leapt forth ; 
 And, with his left begotten, rose the Moon ; 
 "While, with his speed, were kindled the bright Stars. 585 
 And shall I curse whom He in heaven hath blessed, 
 
126 SI&NS, AND WOITDEES. 
 
 Who lies not, nor repents ? What charm is there, . 
 
 Or what enchantment, 'gainst the sons of G-od ? 
 
 Here divination fails. But, from the heights 
 
 Of Armon, I behold the sacred Ship, 590 
 
 Walking the waters o'er the drowned world ; 
 
 How lorehly — alone — a goodly tent, 
 
 A hless^d bark, none curse but the accursed ; 
 
 And blessed he who blesseth it, and them.' 
 
 By this were weapons flashing in the wind, 595 
 
 Some at the prophet's throat ; he saw them not : 
 But now, recovering from that strange access, 
 Finds words of recantation, to appease 
 The credulous crowd : 
 
 ' I spake not, 'twas the Fiend — 
 The lying Fiend, commissioned to deceive ; 600 
 
 Believe it not.' 
 
 Thus leads the blind of eye 
 The blind of heart. But the more politic chiefs, 
 Self-shamed of such absurdity, postpone 
 Their primal purpose ; and, with ill design. 
 One insult with another substitute. 605 
 
 — So they, imprompt, about the patriarch's corse. 
 Funereal games, mock honour, celebrate. 
 
 Straight were the prizes placed in view of all ; 
 Women, and vases ; mares, and mules, and steeds ; 
 And ornaments of silver, and of gold ; 61 
 
 And instruments of music ; bowls for wine ; 
 And gems of price, and wonderous works of art. 
 And talents of great worth ; which who possessed 
 Might purchase what to him gave most delight ; 
 With sacred tripods, palms, and verdant crowns ; 615 
 
 And arms, and vestments for the conquerours. 
 
 The trumpets blare ; forth the keen Racers start. 
 Each eager for the goal. With various luck, 
 The rivals haste : nor is ill chance to lack. 
 
THE BLIHD PEOPHET. 127 
 
 Sport making for spectators ; who laugh loud 620 
 
 At Viim who slips, his feet on treacherous ground, 
 Or wearied with exertion. Olive crowns, 
 Steeds, helms, and quivers grace the victor-youths. 
 
 Then stand the Combatants in order forth ; 
 Of shoulders broad, and strong, and large of limb ; 625 
 
 The hand with csestus, or with gauntlet gloved, 
 With clenched fists attacking, and attacked. 
 On tiptoe first erect, their arms in air, 
 Thrown up defiant, either head drawn back 
 From blow expected, they the fight provoke ; 630 
 
 Then strike the void of air ; or, on the sides, 
 And breast, sounds loud, or hollow next excite. 
 Ears, temples, jaws resound. Now this avoids, 
 Now that misspends his stroke — falls — rises : shame. 
 And skin, contending in the indignant soul, 6-35 
 
 New vigour give, add fury ; and, like haO, 
 Incessant pelts, sans pity, blow on blow, 
 TiU mouth, and teeth, and nostril run with blood. 
 And the faint head trails ghastly, sick to death. 
 Over the unconscious shoulder, gory, pale ; 640 
 
 How pale — and paler by such contrast made 
 With that purpureal tide. 
 
 Less savage game, 
 The race of horse and chariot puts to proof, 
 generous Steed, thy best nobUity. 
 
 Even as thy master's, on thy back enthroned ; 645 
 
 Or, more conspicuous in the lofty car. 
 Lord of the reins, to guide, or goad thy speed ; 
 Haply unskilful, from his seat of pride, 
 Cast, ignominious, under hoof, or wheel. 
 
 Pleased with the rapid motion, even though blind ; 650 
 Kael permits his charioteer to strive 
 Li emulation ; whirling him along, 
 To the far goal, how eager for the prize. 
 
128 SIQNS, AUD WOSDEES. 
 
 Q-reat was his skill — for not in steed, or car 
 
 The artist trusts ; but, as a pilot guides 655 
 
 Through storms his vessel, with unerring hand 
 
 Drives forthright to his aim. Not his the steed, 
 
 But the strong Leopard ; male, and female, as 
 
 They couple iu their solitary dens : 
 
 Conscious of force, although to them denied 660 
 
 Sagacity of dog, or wolf; which given. 
 
 End none had been to ravage. IHimished so 
 
 With horrent teeth, set in the mouth, and jaw, 
 
 Incisor, and canine ; and, in. the cheek, 
 
 The lacerant, for deadliest purposes ; 665 
 
 The tongue even armed, and the ridged palate rough. 
 
 Nor these alone ; but claws, keen, long, and curved. 
 
 And each with sheath defended, skinny folds. 
 
 And callous, whereon, as a sole, the foot 
 
 Bests in progression, — with the teeth combine,^ 670 
 
 To rend the prey, dashed with the flexile paw 
 
 To ground, and irresistibly compressed. 
 
 Hunger to sate, the forest depth they leave ; 
 
 Steal on with noiseless tread ; or ambushed He, 
 
 With ears astretch for slightest sound, or step 675 
 
 Far off; and eyes that see by day, or night. 
 
 — Slow of their gait, incapable of speed 
 
 Continuous, well behoved the charioteer, 
 
 Caution Kke theirs ; suspicious watchfulness, 
 
 Lest swiftness him unskUful throw aback. 680 
 
 But Art prevails. In dusty whirlwinds driven, 
 
 Coursers are lost, and chariots hid in smoke — 
 
 And wide afield in vain contention spent. 
 
 He, by the shortest line, holds on his way 
 
 Patient ; nor finds obstruction ; for none deems C85 
 
 Such tardy motion might the crown attain. 
 
 Anon, he nears the goal ; . . not unobserved ; 
 
 And competition bums. Now — now — be proved 
 
 Muscular power, and force of giant size. 
 
THE BLIND PEOPHET. 129 
 
 ' Now — now — my leopard coursers. Brief the game ; 690 
 Not far the goal — not needed swiftness long — 
 Start, and away.' 
 
 What speed may rival theirs ? 
 In vain contends the horse. For what is he, 
 But as his rider ? Nothing in himself, 
 By man unguided ; only confident 695 
 
 In that superiour wisdom which controuls : 
 Insensate now, for idle human skill. 
 Not so that twain feline. Their genius waked. 
 Malignant, and ferocious. AgUe, thus. 
 As with one hound, the appointed bound they gain ; 700 
 Then stand — the victors they, in that career. 
 How beautiful of hue, and spotted well. 
 In rose-like circles, though irregular, 
 "With centres coloured like the gentle fawn, 
 Upon a lighter yellow for its ground. 705 
 
 Head, neck, and limbs, and right along the back, 
 Dotted how thick with small unopened buds. 
 And of pure white the belly, chest, and neck. 
 Proud of the conquest ; Kael stood upright, 
 In triumph, and had spoken words of vaunt ; 710 
 
 Straight by a spirit not his own constrained, 
 Possessed with prophecy. Hence, to the race 
 Of Cain, repeated he that parable. 
 Which Noah for that Shepherd lately spake. 
 In open hall, not then by Kael heard. 715 
 
 ' Eepent, or ye shall perish, who refuse 
 The sons of Abel needful com, and oil. 
 Your Seed time, and your Harvest, they shall fail ; 
 Your Cold, and Heat, shall strange mutation know ; 
 Summer, and Winter ; Day, and Night ; shall cease.' 720 
 
 Scarce were the words pronoimced, ere flashed on high 
 Steel in his rival's hand, a Cainite chief, 
 
130 SIGNS, XSB -WONDEES. 
 
 The second Tictor in the chariot race ; 
 
 Descending soon into the prophet's breast, 
 
 A sudden stroke, and mortal in its aim. 725 
 
 Back Kael fell. But, in his driver's hand, 
 
 The scourge resounded ; and, with wondrous speed. 
 
 The leopard pair fly thence, like winged steeds : 
 
 So, when disturbed, they frightened bear their prey. 
 
 Else on the spot devoured, to lonely place, 730 
 
 Grlutting their raven with the carcase meal. 
 
 Thus ceased the impious games ^ and, from the graves, 
 Those wicked hosts, in wild confusion, fled ; 
 Awed with strange fear, presaged from that event. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Fair, at the close of this tumultuous day, 735 
 
 Art thou, Moonlight, on this field of death ; 
 Eeposing here where mortal flesh decays, 
 Even at the portal of Eternity, 
 Wlule, ia the myrtle walks of Paradise, 
 The virgin spirit contemplates its bliss. 740 
 
 Sweet are the breezes that now cool our brows, 
 Erewlule with wrong inflamed ; soft breathe ye round 
 These peaceful beds ; and soft, ye honey dews, 
 Drop on the rocks, and fitting soil prepare 
 For vegetation. Mallow, purple-streaked, 745 
 
 And Asphodel with yellow flowrets, bloom 
 "Where'er the dead are piUowed. Weep, ye Trees, 
 Shed your dishevelled leaves o'er the calm vale 
 Of their deep slumber. "Willow, Ash, and Birch, 
 With heads suspended, mourn — and hang your fruit, 750 
 Te laden Eig trees, to the hallowed ground. 
 Or rather let the mountain Cypress, with 
 The Poplar, and the Eir, of spiral form, 
 And floating foliage, point, like Eaith, to God, 
 
SIGNS OF THE SEASONS. 131 
 
 Nature's own obeliskal monuments, 755 
 
 Eaising their arms to heaven, while they deplore 
 
 Their brethren of the earth. But chief the Pine, 
 
 In his perpetual green of solemn hue, 
 
 His shape pyramid, his aroma sweet. 
 
 And his wind-shaken branches' hollow moan, 760 
 
 Symbol of grief, and immortality. 
 
 Also, thou Tew, whose years outlast the tomb. 
 
 And on the wreck of temples flourish still. 
 
 Osier, Oak, Yinestock, Laurel evergreen. 
 
 And Myrtle ; Violet pale, and meek Primrose ; 765 
 
 Ivy, and Olive ; with the Jessamine, 
 
 Heartsease, and Holly ; Honeysuckle, too, 
 
 "With Pabn, and Cedar, consecrate with life 
 
 Thy garden. Death. Thus, at extremest South, 
 
 The sepulchre of nature. Winter's tree, 770 
 
 Each in perfume, perennial, shades with green 
 
 Valleys of snow, and territorial ice, 
 
 Mountaia, and promontory, frozen isles. 
 
 And floods of crystal, and wide tracts of snow. 
 
 Even by the Petrel, and the Penguin shunned ; 775 
 
 Left all to loneliness, and BuUen gloom, 
 
 Save gleam of star, or moon, or meteor wild. 
 
 For Thou, who madest, givest to the soul 
 
 Life, in the regions whither she is gone — 
 
 There morning from the orient aye looks down 780 
 
 Upon the laughing sea, that hyaline 
 
 By saints in spiritual vision seen ; 
 
 And in the Eternal Presence she subsists. 
 
 Thus to the Patriarchs came serenest peace ; 
 But on the race of Cain prediction fell. 785 
 
 Behold the Stags — how mournfully they gaze 
 Upon the waveless brooks, and pass away 
 In sorrow. Is it "Winter ? No — the time 
 
 k2 
 
132 . SIGNS, AND -WONDEES. 
 
 Of Autumn only ; and but late the fields 
 
 Were white for harvest : but no harvest now 790 
 
 Hath Hope to glad withal her prophet eye. 
 
 A blight, and mildew, and a blasting wind, 
 
 Passed o'er the plains ; and withered every ear. 
 
 One mom, the Huntsman rose ; the biting air. 
 
 Charged fuU with fog, and mist, rebuked his sport, 795 
 
 And made him glad to shut his easement close. 
 
 And cower anigh his hearth. Then stood aghast 
 
 The Statist, and authority decreed 
 
 The Sower to go forth. The plough, and wain. 
 
 With clods of iron, and a soil of brass, 800 
 
 Prevailed not ; and fuU soon the labouring Ox 
 
 Was to his stall returned. But not to feed : 
 
 For his provision now is needed more 
 
 By man ; and he himself must die for food. 
 
 If the superiour animal be stiQ 805 
 
 To Uve, and lord it o'er the barren earth. 
 
 The lowing Kine awaits the flowery mead ;' 
 
 But cold hath parched the pasture — and the grass, 
 
 The everlasting verdure of the earth, 
 
 Hath perished. 
 
 What may then long time survive ? 810 
 For it is written, that no higher can 
 Without the lower be ; albeit the least 
 Seek to the greatest, by that perfect law 
 Which urges to perfection all that is. 
 
 Hence appetite, in man, and brute, desires 815 
 
 The inferiour aliments which earth provides, 
 Inanimate, or animal ; as those 
 Without which all would cease. The vegetable 
 The inorganic nourishes, and thus 
 
 Aspires to better ; so the herbage soars 820 
 
 To a superiour life in beast, and man : 
 Material transmigration, melting one 
 Into the other ; from mere mineral 
 
SIGNS OF THE SEASONS. 133 
 
 To human, and divine. But, now, the links 
 
 Are broken of that mutual harmony ; 825 
 
 Interdependence wise. 
 
 "Work, self-despised, 
 Is scorned ; nor labours in his hut the Hind, 
 While dreams the Hound upon the household hearth. 
 But he hath slaia his faithful Dog for meat ; 
 And from the axe, and spade the Bobin dashed, 830 
 
 That there for refuge perched, a famished bird. 
 Then Pestilence came on, a meagre fiend ; 
 And wretches blessed the Winter, whose sharp cold 
 Was a defence against infection's breath — 
 In vain. Por now the heavens all glowed, as they 835 
 
 With fervent heat would melt : the sun was wroth. 
 And glared with anger. Then the chains dissolved 
 Whereia the soil had suffered. But the race 
 Of men, plague-smitten, at their useless toU, 
 Died; and the unseasonable solar heat 840 
 
 Pierced the cracked ground, and obvious laid the seed 
 To bird, and beast, or smote it in its bed. 
 For lack of moisture, with a treacherous ray — 
 Life from the germ extracting. Tree, and shrub 
 Died with excessive heat. 
 
 Men cried to God, 845 
 
 He would withdraw the sun from midst of heaven. 
 And soon their prayer was heard. The months arrived 
 That Summer had been wont to visit earth ; 
 When lo, the cold returned. With evening airs. 
 Came on the incipient chill ; and men were fain 850 
 
 To shelter in their homes. Hour after hour. 
 They slept, and waked ; and slept, and waked again ; 
 But still no dawn. They looked out, and behold. 
 The round red moon, of unaccustomed size. 
 Made pale the planets' ineffectual beams ; 855 
 
 And rose, and set in blood, and rose again, 
 But the sun rose not. Night had Day usurped. 
 
134 SIGNS, AUD -WONBEES. 
 
 And "Winter, Summer ; as before it had 
 
 Autumn displaced : and blank uncertainty 
 
 Made strange vicissitude more hideous still. 860 
 
 At length the sun appeared ; blessed orb 
 
 And warmth came with him : but sad earth was bare 
 
 Of vegetation. Mom, and noon have been ; 
 
 And evening looks to see the Sun decline : 
 
 Still reigns the fiery king, and Day prolongs 865 
 
 From week to week, until the wearied eye 
 
 Loathes the unchanging light : and the worn heart 
 
 Sickens with uniformity, and longs 
 
 To sleep in darkness unashamed ; . . nor less 
 
 Ashamed in day so long to waste the hours 870 
 
 In idleness, or only half employed. 
 
 'Twas Autumn ; but no harvest was there, now. 
 
 To gather in the barns ; nor grass to mow, 
 
 Nor fruit to pluck. But all was to begin 
 
 Anew : earth lay before them as a map 875 
 
 TJncoloured, and unnamed ; and of their toil 
 
 Wo certain issue. "Winter came at length ; 
 
 Spring, Summer ; and the soul of man rejoiced 
 
 To look upon the produce of the fields. 
 
 Grass, com, and finiits ; and flower, and herb, and tree. 880 
 
 Not only in the great metropolis 
 Of Enos ; — ^but in Naid ; its towns, and fields ; 
 And in the Capitol that Irad built, 
 "Won from the wild ; and in the Cities, too, 
 Of Mehujael, and Methusael ; 885 
 
 And the luxurious town of palaces, 
 Por Lamech's pleasure edified ; prevailed 
 These "Wonders ; that their dwellers might repent. 
 
 And were the Wicked warned ? Hither, oft came 
 The Prophets from the land of Eden ; Shem, 890 
 
 And Ham, and Japhet, and their Sire ; to preach 
 Sincere repentance, that these iQs might cease ; 
 
SIGNS OP THE SEASONS. 135 
 
 And more, tie threatened riood not drown the Earth. 
 
 But they were hardened in increasing sin, 
 
 Because of the dread judgements ; which were signs 895 
 
 Of Power divine, and Will for punishment. 
 
 And, chie:^ their hatred burned against the line 
 
 Of Abel ; for whose sake, and by whose arts 
 
 Of incantation, evils so extreme, 
 
 (Thus they believed, by malice rendered prone 900 
 
 To credit aught against the race they wronged,) 
 
 PeU on them : and they sware, in council met, 
 
 To wreak dread vengeance on the favoured seed. 
 
 But greater grief remains for me to teU, 
 Whereto my shuddering soul may scarce give voice. 905 
 
 Nature is like a chariot, and needs Movers ; 
 When drawn, it runs ; not drawn, it standeth stiU ; 
 Spirits of Tire, like steeds, are its precursors. 
 They fly ; it foUows flying, as they fly, 
 A glorious equipage, round a circle driven, 910 
 
 Bounded by the Infinity alone. 
 
 Beyond the bounds of the Erythraean main, 
 A Continent dispreads ; a region wide. 
 And unexplored, named of an elder world, 
 Whereof who dwell therein believe a Wreck 915 
 
 The present was, and wherefrom claim descent. 
 Hear, then, their Creed. 
 
 Long ere Man's story dates : 
 Upon this planet sudden Judgement fell ; 
 And it was blotted from among the stars. 
 Made void, and formless. But that Land was saved, 920 
 Though still "in gloom involved. At length, the Light • 
 Was reapparent ; but not whence it came. 
 The solar orb, or any planet else, 
 Lunar, or stellar. Gradually, the dense. 
 And dismal pall of vapoury darkness melts ; 925 
 
 Until, behold, the dawning Sun awakes. 
 Cheers with his beams the mountains, and the vales, 
 
136 SIGNS, AND WOITDEES. 
 
 And shines on seas, and rivers, as of old — 
 
 Him saw, and, after Mm, the Moon, and Stars 
 
 Saw those who dwelt on that surviving Land, 930 
 
 MaseuliQe Creatures ; whom Paternal Love 
 
 Created for his G-lory, each one so 
 
 Begotten at the Source, not generate 
 
 By sexual mixture, and successive births ; 
 
 Each one, like Adam, called a Son of God, 935 
 
 Immortal Offspring of Eternity. 
 
 Both him, and them, saw these ; and, when they saw. 
 
 Shouted aloud, and hailed their glorious show, 
 
 Decking the forehead of the firmament ; 
 
 A radiant crown, illuminate with globes, 940 
 
 Illustrious as with gems, and spheres of light : 
 
 Shouted aloud, with most exultant joy. 
 
 On their once-more inhabitable realm, 
 
 Encircled with a purged atmosphere, 
 
 And arched above vrith azure clear, and pure, 945 
 
 In the swift billows mirroured. 
 
 Happy they, 
 Those Sons of God ; for they were sinless, then ; 
 And proved, while so, imperishable too, 
 Even mid utter ruiu. But, alas, 
 
 Not sinless they endured : . . by Voman won, 950 
 
 They fell, like Adam's self, and Adam's Sons, 
 "Whose Daughters they beheld ; beholding, loved : 
 And, their superiour natures mixiag thus 
 "With human, became Sires of giant men ; 
 "Who overran the earth with their renown, 955 
 
 And- quelled all opposition by their might ; ' 
 Making, and ending wars, as if for sport. 
 Alas, those Fathers, of that Titan brood 
 Had bartered Immortality for Love ; 
 "Wedding with mortals, mortal had become, 960 
 
 And, with her Daughters, shared the lot of Eve. 
 — ^As Light unto the Sun, is Truth to God. 
 
SIGNS OF THE SEASONS. 137 
 
 Now on that Land, in melancholy groups, 
 Those Signs, and Wonders, prophesying Doom 
 They had observed ; mutation, and surcease 965 
 
 Of Day, and Night ; of Seasons, and of Times ; 
 Mysterious, and premonitory signs : 
 Not deathless now, defiant of mischance, 
 As when the perished world, they had survived, 
 Pelt the dread shock that crushed her germens in, 970 
 
 And made her as a grave, or as a womb, 
 To bury one, and bear another earth. 
 
 Great is their fear, expecting Destiny. 
 As yet, not one amongst them had felt Death, 
 Alarmed the more by inexperienced pain, 975 
 
 Which yet, by Oracles they might not doubt, 
 They knew themselves predestined to confront. 
 Gh-eat is their fear ; and Terrour, like a god. 
 Their souls o'ershadoweth with his wings unseen. 
 Whose distant thunder spake of his approach. 980 
 
 END OS rOtrETH SOOE. 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 Meantime, in peace, and blessedness reposed 
 
 The far Erythraean Isle ; and stem farewell, 
 
 Abel, to thy children, Famine's flend 
 
 Pronounced ; then, winged his way to distant shores. 
 
 — Now, from the beach, two Maidens fair behold 5 
 
 The fresh awakened sun from ocean rise, 
 
 Dallying awhile with the crisped biUows' mirth ; 
 
 Whose foam, else white, is tinted with a blush 
 
 Prom his salute ; and, dimpled by the breath 
 
 Of the young breezes, breaks upon the waves 10 
 
 In sparkling smiles, innumerous, to hail 
 
 His resurrection from the apparent sea. 
 
 Of Love the maidens talked ; nor were defiled, 
 
 Por love was here religion — sinless — pure. 
 
 Of Love, and Hori, Junia talked with Naiu, 15 
 
 The shepherd's sister ; no ungrateful theme, 
 
 Tet not from sorrow free ; since Junia 
 
 Pines that the youth, for whom her heart was sad, 
 
 Met not her virgin love. To him the stars 
 
 Had beauty far more excellent than all 20 
 
 The daughters of his land ; and the bright moon 
 
 "Was as a golden goblet fiiU of wine, 
 
 A garland of renown, and on his soul 
 
 Shed inspiration, glory, Ufe, and power. 
 
 Song him delighted too. The youth was wont 25 
 
 To mould the sea-sheU to an instrument 
 
 Of music ; and therefrom the tones extract. 
 
 Accordant with the feelings of his heart. 
 
 The thoughts of his high soul. And much he loved 
 
JiririA, AND WAIN. 139 
 
 The solitude of ocean's shore, to muse, 30 
 
 And mark the poetry magniloquent 
 
 Of wave, and -wind embracing. Hark ; she hears — 
 
 Junia — ^the murmur of the shepherd's shell. 
 
 And, with her fairy finger, hushes now 
 
 The lips of her companion ; both concealed 35 
 
 Behind a crag of rock, where well they Ust, 
 
 Unseen, the lay of Hori. Thus he sang : 
 
 ' Dear is the Ocean to the Island Bard, 
 As to the flapping Gull from coastward flying ; 
 Or Swan, that in the bay, when waves are calm, 40 
 
 Conscious of grace, floats proudly on the rise, 
 And fall of billows ; fearless ; all the more. 
 Arching her neck with freedom, and delight ; 
 Oaring her way, with glancing feet reversed. 
 Striking the enamoured surge to foam minute, 45 
 
 Like silver sparklets on an emerald urn. 
 — Erail was the tender bark, but fair, which bore 
 The remnant of the Martyr's eiUed seed 
 O'er the thence-named Erythrsean, to the wild 
 Of waters trusted — God their only guide. 50 
 
 Balm the propitious gales, and glass the sea ; 
 For He had made it smooth, who vrisdom gives 
 To the vringed sojourners, to leave the land 
 Of coming winter for benigner clime. 
 Like them, they voyaged forth ; and, as they went, 65 
 
 The lyre preluded to a pious hymn. 
 The winds enchanting, and relieving well 
 The else-wearied oarsman, with its cadences 
 Solemn, and sweet, and sweeter because solemn. 
 The Dolphins sported round, as pleased to hear 60 
 
 The anthem on the surge. Silence, and night 
 Succeeded ; and the moonbeams rushed from heaven, 
 A cataract of light, on measureless 
 Expanse of ocean, and of air. The stars, 
 
140 THE CHILDEEN OE' ABEL. 
 
 Witt lamps of love, came dancing on the deep, 65 
 
 A solitude but for our lonely bark, 
 
 Companions loyely, smiling from the sky. 
 
 — Glorious the Sun-rise on the desart main ; 
 
 The hum of billows awful, as they wake 
 
 Out of their silence, by the breathing Morn 70 
 
 Admonished of his coming, Seraph bright ; 
 
 And the swift murmur of unnumbered fins, 
 
 Eejoicing in his welcome influence warm. 
 
 But he who would magnificence behold 
 
 Too broad to bear, intolerably bright ; 75 
 
 Let him, mid boundless Ocean, in mid noon. 
 
 Graze on the burnished biUows, and o'ershade 
 
 His dazzled eyes from the volcanic orb. 
 
 Making a desolation, how profound 
 
 And hushed, throughout the wilderness of waves, 80 
 
 The universe of water, and of sky, 
 
 Interminable. Eden ; Uke thy Mount 
 
 Cherubic-guarded, on the eternal sea 
 
 Of Sunset the great Vision. The wide "West 
 
 Is as a Temple, and an Ark of clouds : 85 
 
 With piUar, and with cupola, all hues 
 
 Of costliest splendour, as in gems, and gold. 
 
 The chariot of the Sun. Awhile he stays. 
 
 So pausing on the brim ere he descend ; 
 
 Until the mighty Shadow of his Orb 90 
 
 Apparent rise, where Heaveil, and Ocean meet. 
 
 And he into her open bosom sink 
 
 In motion visible, and both immerge, 
 
 In bridal union, mystic, and divine. 
 
 AU day, and night upon our endless way, 95 
 
 By Angels we were watched ; tiU, lo, the Gull, 
 
 And fragrant breezes token gave of land. 
 
 Whereof our Dogs were conscious long before. 
 
 The faithful Dog, dear to the Shepherd's heart. 
 
 Dear partner on the hiU. side, and lone height, - 100 
 
rcmx, AND ifAiir. 141 
 
 And meditative as the race lie serves, 
 Inseparable Mend — a pious brute. 
 
 How beautiful the far Erythraean Isle 
 
 The ocean breezes visit her pale shore ; 
 
 With grateful warmth, and genial moisture charged, 105 
 
 Por wanton flower, and bud of living leaf: 
 
 With the far boom of rolling biUows, borne 
 
 In murmurs on his ear, who muses, lone, 
 
 In the dim vale behind the clifiy beach, 
 
 On either hand a fair, and verdant hill, 110 
 
 Delightful solitude, an inland scene, 
 
 So nigh the world of waters deep, and wide. 
 
 And there are minstrelsies of torrent streams 
 
 And rivers, growling over rugged beds. 
 
 Fringed on each bant with trees as old as Time, 115 
 
 Sown in creation's hour ; majestic Oat, 
 
 And leaf-proud Elm. And far away the woods. 
 
 Pensile, or level, stretch their shadows broad. 
 
 On upland slope, in valley serpentine ; 
 
 Forests, and groves apparelled by the hand 120 
 
 Of the Almighty, with a luxury 
 
 Of bough, and branch, and foliage ; bounty such 
 
 As his alone would on his works bestow. 
 
 How grandly rocks, and mountains heave their scalps 
 
 Into his heavens — the footstools of his throne. 125 
 
 With what delightful change, he scatters, o'er 
 
 The verdant sward, the prodigal flowers, amid 
 
 The waving grass, up-sparkling their own hues. 
 
 Myrtle, and Eose, and Woodbine ; rathe, or late ; 
 
 Eeport of human dwellings, to the eye 130 
 
 That, from the hill, the prospect meditates ; 
 
 Nay, even the stern rocks hath he adorned 
 
 With Moss, and Lichen ; and the barren heath 
 
 With dew-drop Blossoms, elegant though wild, 
 
 Small Shrub, and Berry, hyacinthine dark. 135 
 
 For this, thy children, Abel, on the brow 
 
142 THE CHILDEEN OP ABEIr. 
 
 Of yonder hill, have raised a votive shrine, 
 
 Aa. altar to his name. There morn, and eve ; 
 
 Where Eagle once, and Hawk, held sole domain ; 
 
 Hymns celebrate his greatness ; and the voice 140 
 
 Of choral psalm, and anthem magnifies 
 
 The praises of the Highest. 
 
 Sweet it is, 
 To praise Him who has cast the exile's lot 
 In this so lovely isle. Here glows the Vine — 
 How lush of tint, how frankly clustered. Fig, 145 
 
 And Olive flourish ; the ripe Orange blooms. 
 Who may report his gifts ? Who name the sum 
 Of the spread sands on ocean's shores, the stars 
 Within the firmament ? He gave, even He, 
 The father's heart to man, to woman her's — 150 
 
 Sweet is the love of woman : sweet is Truth ; 
 Of all things greatest : but far loveliest. 
 When in the heart of womanhood it lives — 
 How lovely then, my Junia, if in thine.' 
 
 Thus closed his song. Deep thrilled with bHss the soul 
 Of Junia, as she heard ; and Nain exclaimed 
 Aloud with joy ; and both, discovered so. 
 Were found of Hori : With a trembling Up, 
 His Sister he saluted with a kiss ; 
 And to his bosom clasped his blushing Bride. 160 
 
 II. 
 
 No more of pastoral loves. War wears on high 
 His horrours, like a plume ; and his loud voice 
 Eoars, like a whirlwind, amid echoes wild 
 Of rocky beach, or desart solitude. 
 
 — Hovering like ominous bird ; a veriest speck 165 
 
 Upon the horizon rising ; might be seen, 
 A winged Bark, that larger, more distinct, 
 
MIOHAj;i, AND kZkZTEL. 143 
 
 Grew, and approached, ere long of men beteld — 
 
 Nor unobserved of angela. Michael, 
 
 Guardian of Nations, rushed on Helam down ; 170 
 
 Bold cUff, that, beetHng, far o'erlooked the main. 
 
 And not in song unfamed. Por fable high 
 
 Thereof young Hori had conceived ; supposed 
 
 Of island dwellers ere the arrival there 
 
 Of Abel's seed ; a mythos weU designed, 175 
 
 With passion graced, and manners suitable : 
 
 Nor ill-conjectured. For beyond them lay, 
 
 In isle remoter, that same race, for whom 
 
 Kael was seer. Blinder they of mind 
 
 Than he of body ; haply — 'scaped from Naid, 180 
 
 In fear of vengeance for enormous guilt — 
 
 Furthest was best, they deemed, from that cursed spot, 
 
 Where justice might be bom ; but ne'ertheless, 
 
 The Cainite found them soon, and not as foe. 
 
 Chance-roving on the deep, in search of gain. 185 
 
 — Whereof let this suffice. Me it behoves 
 
 To speak of Michael, the Archangel, whom 
 
 Met strong Azaziel, — Fury of the War, 
 
 Demon of Battle, — on that rocky height. 
 
 Straight each the other seized, in mutual wrath, 1 90 
 
 WeU matched ; and wrestled there from mom to eve. 
 Meantime, the Cainite, with malicious speed. 
 Like a sea-hornet, from the o'erswarm^d air. 
 Lights on thy coast, O far Erythraean Isle. 
 Pame spread her bruit, and Battle raised his shout, 195 
 And his loud trump resounded. On the beach, 
 PuU many a man of the invading hosts 
 Was victor — of a grave — a common grave. 
 Dug in the sands. For to the shepherd race. 
 Where'er they spread, the sacred threshold they 200 
 
 Of each loved home, the fender of each hearth, 
 The temple's portal, and the altar's steps. 
 Such was that shore — so dear — so sacred then ; 
 
IM THE CHILDEEN OP ABEL. 
 
 And hoHly defended, as from touch 
 
 Of sacrilege, with heroism so devout, 205 
 
 That whoso fell was as a sacrifice. 
 
 An ofiering slain to God ; to whom the warm 
 
 Steam of the living blood, Hke incense, rose. 
 
 By angels in their golden censers waft. 
 
 When they present the Throne Divine before, 210 
 
 The prayers of saints, accepted graciously. 
 
 — there is Sympathy for evermore 
 
 Of Angels with Mankind. Nor wanting proof. 
 
 Witness the infernal G-od of Battle wage. 
 
 With the Archangel, conflict terrible, 215 
 
 On Helam in the clouds ; so high its scalp 
 
 The craggy summit reared. Less high the hill 
 
 In Eephidim, whose top ascended once 
 
 Musah, with Hur, and Aaron, while in war 
 
 Strove Israel with Amalet. In hand 220 
 
 The Legislator held the Almighty's rod. 
 
 Wherewith the Kock in Horeb he had smitten, 
 
 Whence water quenched the thirst of discontent ; 
 
 A weight but ill sustaiaed : and ah, when fell 
 
 His arm, the foe prevailed ; nor might succeed 225 
 
 The chosen race, if it were lifted not ; 
 
 But, by the twain upheld, his heavy hands 
 
 Were steadily preserved, tiU goiag-down 
 
 Of that victorious sun. Like fortune waits 
 
 The seed of Abel, now. As prospers, here, 230 
 
 Michael with his assailant, on this height ; 
 
 So they below advantage gaiu, or lose. 
 
 Nine days the Angelic Wrestlers, on the head 
 Of visionary Helam, ruled the doom 
 
 Of meeting armies. Hand in hand, they strove ; 235 
 
 With strenuous wrist, at arm's length either held, 
 Lest, closing, one antagonist might win 
 Possession of the other, and o'erthrow. 
 Struggling they kept at distance, so from side 
 
MICHAEL, AlTD AZA.ZIEL. 145 
 
 To side swung with contention emulous, 240 
 
 And action muscular, supernal strength. 
 
 O for the war embrace. With outstretched hand, 
 
 Bach aims to grapple at the heaving chest 
 
 Of his opponent : by a mighty gripe. 
 
 To strangle, and subdue ; or to enclose 24-j 
 
 The staggering victim in the stringent folds, 
 
 As of a serpent's clasp, and so to crush. 
 
 Now, either shoulder clenched in either fistj 
 
 Their arms at equal length are mutual crossed ; 
 
 But neither yet might cUng to other's neck, 250 
 
 Not yet compressed the bosom, or the throat. 
 
 Deep-dinted in the substance ; from such grasp 
 
 Eeciprocal they shrink ; and writhe, and reel, 
 
 Till shaken off, or with a sudden sleight 
 
 Eemoved ; that, by some other joint, or limb, 255 
 
 The foe may be constrained ; by hip, or thigh 
 
 Caught, and, with dreadful violence, elanced 
 
 From the strong wrestler's seizure, in his wrath ; 
 
 As, from an arbalist, or catapult, 
 
 Arrow, or stone, the enginery of War. 260 
 
 "With various fortune thus, but equal force, 
 On Helam strove the gods ; while in the plains 
 Men fought with men, from mom to eve, engaged — 
 The invaders, and invaded ; those constrained 
 Battle to court, and foremost to attack, 265 
 
 Safe only when assailing ; these inclined 
 To wait occasion's favour. But ere long, 
 War won more inland passage ; and hewed down 
 A pathway to the valleys, and the hills. 
 ^0 Vale of EM ; once so beautiful, 270 
 
 So tranquil in thy beauty : now in thee 
 Is exclamation ; with the shriek, and shout 
 Of battle ; wanton with the loud uproar, 
 As a glad hunter, with the merry noise 
 Of hound, and echo, discord musical. 275 
 
146 THE OHILDBBN Or ABEL. 
 
 There, Hon, were thy mother, and thy sire, 
 
 Adra, and Abi, sheltered in their age ; 
 
 Watched o'er by thee, and by thy, sister, Nain, 
 
 With filial love ; in humble confidence, 
 
 deposing, and in peace, a blessed pair. 280 
 
 But Strife now enters ; and the whetted Sword 
 Is forth against the Shepherd. Warriours sing 
 To it their songs — to it, and to the Spear, 
 And to the Shield . . boasting that they with them 
 Till, sow, and reap, plant vines, and press the juice, 285 
 And hail them conquerours of field, and flood. 
 Slaves in Ambition's service ; scorned by heU 
 For fools, less wise than are the fiends, who prey 
 Not on their kind, but, strong in multitudes. 
 Find wisdom in convention. Yet with these, 290 
 
 Man maketh widows, orphans, and doth mar 
 His brother's visage, and the father's face . . 
 With woe-begone expression for the slain. 
 The prematurely dead. In gorgeous weeds. 
 The fine proportioned, and elastic limbs, 295 
 
 (So skilfuUy marked out, that cunning art 
 Of painter, or of sculptour, fails to mend 
 Contrivance exquisite) of generous Steed 
 They gird for battle. Pleased with such array, 
 The heroic Coarser, gently pacing, or 300 
 
 High bounding, goeth, proud of his career. 
 How mild the Elephant ; yet him man makes 
 Furious in war, and cruel as himself ; 
 Tea, and the adoring Dog instructs to rend 
 The human form, whereto the conscious brute 305 
 
 Else bows in awe . . the deity he loves. 
 
 There grew an old Oak in the Vale of Elul, 
 Old as the world, and planted in the Day, 
 In that mysterious day, wherein Grod made 
 The earth, and heavens, and each plant of the field, 810 
 
MICHAMi, AND AZAZIEL. 147 
 
 Before it was in the earth, and every herb 
 
 Before it grew, while man as yet was not. 
 
 Of stature scant, its sturdy trunk threw out 
 
 Huge arms, and branches o'er an area wide : 
 
 Birds loved it for its shelter, and its boughs 315 
 
 The Eaven loved, to build her eyery in ; 
 
 And young, and old of humankind, beneath 
 
 Its umbrage, on a summer eve, indulged 
 
 Innocent mirth ; or listened to the speech 
 
 Of Abi, priestly man. There was he wont, 320 
 
 "With Adra, to preside o'er pastoral sport ; 
 
 And to the swaias, and maidens oft would they 
 
 Give counsel prudent, couched in proverb quaint. 
 
 Or ancient saw, or present parable ; 
 
 Then pause at intervals to listen, pleased, 325 
 
 To Hori's sylvan song, . . a happy group. 
 
 But, now, no more may Hori's numbers charm 
 
 Old age, or youth ; the shepherd's pipe is changed 
 
 For battle weapon, and the rural bard 
 
 Lost in the patriot hero, brave to share 330 
 
 The common peril in his land's defence. 
 
 — Now the parental sage, and monitress 
 
 Are fain, beneath the favourite tree, to wile 
 
 The anxious time away, iu simple talk 
 
 "With sinless childhood ; to their gvtardian charge 335 
 
 Confided, or resorting to their smiles. 
 
 For consolation, in the hour of doubt, 
 
 By weeping mothers tended, crowding round. 
 
 But, ah, not sacred long that spot from strife ; 
 
 And massacre found unresisted way 340 
 
 "With womanhood, and infancy, and age. 
 
 Slain by the Cainite, there flowed Abi's blood. 
 
 And Adra's, watering that aged root 
 
 "With needless moisture : for the murtherers. 
 
 In wanton malice, laid the axe of war 345 
 
 Thereat, and hewed it till it fell to earth, 
 
 L 2 
 
148 THE CHILDEEIf OE ABEL. 
 
 Groaning ; its feathered burthens undislodged. 
 
 And, with their nests of many centuries, 
 
 Crushed with the crashing boughs ; thus slaying, there, 
 
 The unfledged offspring, and the mother bird. 350 
 
 — Needs not of Hori's grief to tell; the heart 
 
 That's human will conceive ; but rather now, 
 
 How, on the Hill of Dreams, angelic might 
 
 Mortal controuled, by mystic sympathy ; 
 
 That so the coming doom, and what the end, 355 
 
 May be prejudged, and soothe the expectant mind. ■ 
 
 Equal the wrestlers yet. Advantage none 
 Had either gained : and the ninth sun went down ; 
 When, as by compact, each antagonist 
 Upon the summit slept, to rise refreshed, 360 
 
 As wont, when morning dawn. So Michael 
 Lay down to his repose ; but in his heart 
 Azaziel had imagined treacherous wile. 
 And feigned to sleep, but slept not. 'Mid of night. 
 He rose ; and the Archangel, where he lay, 365 
 
 Seized by surprise. In wonder, Michael, roused' 
 From slumber, with a shout, alarm conceived. 
 And strove amain with his perfidious foe. 
 
 Tet, ah, what now avails ? Can this be night ? 
 
 Than noon more radiant, but in terrours clad, 370 
 
 The sun knows not at mid-day ? It is night, 
 "With vesture all ablaze, and hair aflame. 
 Like a Bacchante, in her phrenzy fired. 
 With torch, for revel meant, to ruin turned. 
 
 The crackling Forest burns into the heaven ; 375 
 
 And the clouds glow : the skies are drenched ia blood ; 
 Type of the blood now shed, in agony. 
 Upon the quaking earth. In Elon's grove 
 Of many trees, a wilderness, of wood. 
 
 The race of Abel nightly shelter soijght 380 
 
 From the invading hosts. Inspired by hell. 
 The Cainite, in his cruel mind, resolved 
 
THE FIEST BAIN. 149 
 
 To fire the forest in the noon of night, 
 
 And to each comer set infernal flame. 
 
 Gradual toward the centre of the wood 383 
 
 The element careered, converting to 
 
 Its proper substance, and consuming, all. 
 
 Escape was none ; on every side was fire ; 
 
 The baffled victim only could retreat 
 
 Into the depth of Elon, and await 890 
 
 His death iu horrour. what shrieks arose, 
 
 tJnheard without ; but not within, by those 
 
 Whose own soon echoed to the shrieks they heard : 
 
 Nor with the howl unanswered, wild, and drear, 
 
 Of beasts, and savage tenants of the wood. 895 
 
 What name had borne the fair ErythrsBan Isle ? 
 "Whate'er it was before, only by this. 
 After these deeds, 'twas known, . . Aceldama. 
 Hence fitly were that sea Erythrasan called, 
 Which circled in that isle, or led thereto, 400 
 
 As to a land adjacent, red with blood : 
 But at the first, because that o'er its waves 
 The martyr's seed fled from the wrath of men. 
 It from the blood of Abel name derived. 
 — Not that the Persian, or Arabian Gulf, 405 
 
 Of Edom styled : they other ; for o'er this 
 Great Deluge roUed, displacing every site 
 Of a past world, on ocean, or on earth. 
 
 III. 
 
 Swift, o'er the far Erythraean, vrings its way 
 The Slave-Ship of the World before the Elood. 410 
 
 Heaven loured above its course, and gathering clouds 
 Spake anger. But worse horrour waited it. 
 The Horrour of great Darkness, on the shore 
 Whereto it voyaged. Blessed light enough 
 Was but permitted to debark the freight 415 
 
150 THE CHILDEEN OB ABEL. 
 
 Of captives ; then, into the city passed 
 
 The Cainite, and his victim. Capitol 
 
 Of Fratricide, what glories now adorn 
 
 The huge, and stUl enlarged metropolis ? 
 
 Vision by gloom excluded ; skill of man 420 
 
 Dies unadmired, unused. 'Twas mom — bright mom ; 
 
 Bright as if meant to make more bitter atiU. 
 
 What followed, and, with disappointment, carken 
 
 The care, and woe, and agony, which Wrath 
 
 Supernal had prepared. Night — starless night, 425 
 
 And moonless, quenched at once the Eye of Day : 
 
 Deep sleep o'ercame the Watcher of the Sun ; 
 
 And Earth was Hades ; and as ghosts were men. 
 
 Unseen, but not unheard. Shriek, sigh, and sob. 
 
 Were frequent ; and the ear, grown sensitive 430 
 
 To malady, was startled evermore 
 
 With constant sounds of lonely misery : 
 
 A solitude, though crowded. When came on 
 
 The Darkness first, man converse held with man. 
 
 In mutual wonder ; but, when it endured 435 
 
 Erom day to day, by weariness induced. 
 
 Silence — dogged, sullen silence, shut the heart. 
 
 In its own wretchedness pent broodingly. 
 
 By curses yet preceded ; for, whenas 
 
 Communion ceased, and motion was essayed, 440 
 
 The blinded came in contact, and provoked 
 
 Contention in each other ; ire, and oaths, 
 
 And blasphemy, and malediction, first 
 
 Cast on their fellows, next upon themselves : 
 
 But chief, 'twas horrible to hear the tone 445 
 
 Of woman's accent changed to malison, 
 
 Viadictive as more feminine : — the lips. 
 
 The very Hps of infancy expressed 
 
 Eeeliugs of desecration, and partook 
 
 The common madness with the common doom. 450 
 
 And there was random slaughter : father slew 
 
THE riEST BAIN, 151 
 
 His son in darkness, and the son his sire, 
 
 In ignorance, and rage ; as each opposed 
 
 The other's wished escape from out the cloud 
 
 Into what suiinier air, for so they hoped, 455 
 
 Might lie beyond. And reason for the hope 
 
 Had they ; for, as at ease, and in the light, 
 
 They heard the voice of prophets, Woe — "Woe — Woe — 
 
 Denouncing to the unrepentant stUl. 
 
 It was the voice of Noah, and his Sons, 460 
 
 Who through the darkness moved as in the light ; 
 
 Protected, by the Holy Ones, from touch 
 
 Profane ; nor touching in their progress aught 
 
 Of opposition,' person, brute, or thing. 
 
 To them the Highest had appointment given, 465 
 
 To pass with word of warning, though in. vain. 
 
 Through that great Plague of Darkness ; and absolve 
 
 The Maker's mercy, and his justice save. 
 
 If man should perish, obstinate in guilt. 
 
 Such Portents spake impending Judgement nigh ; 470 
 And well it might have seemed, that now had come 
 The very doom pronounced. For the dark cloud. 
 Whose bosom had embraced the sons of men, 
 Dissolving, shed upon the startled earth 
 Premonitory Eain ; even thus forewarned 475 
 
 Of Power Divine, to accomplish that, prepared 
 For the imrighteous world, which it foreshewed : 
 But Wisdom ne'er with Unbelief consorts. 
 — First, was seen through the accumulated gloom 
 A flash : — 'Twas Lightning. — Next was heard a peal, 480 
 And peal on peal succeeded. Thunder called 
 To Thunder, from his thrones of mountains, where 
 He reigns ubiquitous, expressive form 
 Of God in anger, voice armipotent. 
 
 And evermore the Ughtning's sheeted flame 485 
 
 Enlarged, and made a chasm of fearful fire 
 In that felt darkness' thick, and heavy fog. 
 
152 THE OHIIjDEEN OF ABEL. 
 
 Infesting as with death the breath of life. 
 
 Then seemed heaven's gates to unshut, and the shower, 
 
 Ne'er known till then, to come down in a flood ; 490 
 
 Nor ceased the lightning, nor the thunder, then ; 
 
 Unquenched, its jagged jaws still oped, and closed, 
 
 Like to a dragon's. mouth, outspitting fire, 
 
 In the o'erburthened air it purified. 
 
 Pear with that deluge fell ; fear, that it was 495 
 
 The final doom. But, no : great Mercy sent 
 The Sign;before, to warn, and to reclaim : 
 Tet with no Eainbow followed — such as, since, 
 Makes a triumphal arch of the whole Heaven, 
 For Earth redeemed from tempest once again, 500 
 
 Obedient to the promise. G-od's own bow, 
 "Which in the clouds he set, encompassing 
 Pirst Altar raised on the restored earth. 
 Such, too, as circled that Archangel's form. 
 Who stood in air, on ocean, and on earth, 505 
 
 AH three engirdled in that triple round, 
 TBended on high by the Almighty's hand — 
 By Noah seen in vision, which foretold 
 The doom of Deluge, whose receding skirts 
 Therewith were beautified ; for Love had shed 51 
 
 Light on the cloud, and grief to glory turned. 
 Token of everlasting Covenant 
 To Earth, and to her saved worshippers ; 
 Celestial way for Mercy to descend, 
 
 Upon a flowery bridge ; a fluid arch ; 515 
 
 The Brow of God shewn smiling, and appeased. 
 Visibly shewn, distended, and relaxed. 
 
 Sad was it to behold the scenes, and groups 
 Of men, and beasts, and things inanimate ; 
 After such visitation. Trees were black, 520 
 
 And smouldering, blasted with the electric wrath ; 
 And tower, and temple smitten to their fall : 
 And on the plain sheep, oxen, steer, and dog. 
 
THE FIE8T KAIIT. 153 
 
 Like statues, lay, or stood, as the swift stroke 
 
 Had found, and left them ; life-like, but not living : 525 
 
 Life with a touch quenched, or transfused, or caught 
 
 With the quick flash, and to its source returned. 
 
 And human forms there, too, were piled in heaps, 
 
 Like ruined pillars — woman, man, and child, 
 
 Old, young, and middle-aged ; aU in groups 530 
 
 Fantastic, or grotesque, or picturesque. 
 
 But each in mockery, and most so the last. 
 
 Cold — ■■cold stood the survivours, though unscathed. 
 
 Shivering ; and, soon, the unaccustomed Eaia 
 
 Hardened to Hail, and agonized the flesh 635 
 
 With keen impression. Straight the symbol changed ; 
 
 And it was Winter, . . such as winter is 
 
 In the restored world. Eain, vapours, snows : 
 
 Snows — ^like swan's down, or sea birds, they descend 
 
 On the diluvian earth ; a volant flock, 540 
 
 Wonderons as novel, sailing on the wind ; 
 
 Feathery, and flaky, sharp as arrows are : 
 
 And'the bleak storm, with piercing violence, 
 
 And stern in desolation, teaches man 
 
 What wretchedness may yet appal his soul, 545 
 
 Or if not, penetrate his shrinking frame, 
 
 And task much fortitude of mind to bear. 
 
 And much experience to iuure the flesh. 
 
 Else quivering with smart pain. 
 
 And were 
 
 The innocent race of Abel then involved 550 
 
 In the just vengeance that thus fell upon 
 
 The Cainite for his crime ? That were unjust — 
 
 And thus in this Heaven's hand was manifest. 
 
 For not alone were Noah, and his Sons 
 
 Free from the darkness, but the captive race, 555 
 
 And with the prophets were delivered thence. 
 
 In Armon's vale, and in the Land of Streams, 
 
 They lived at large ; while signal miracle 
 
154 THE CHILD EEN 01' ABEL. 
 
 The City of Enos, and the Land of Naid, 
 Irad's, and Mehujael's capitols, 560 
 
 Methuselah, and Lamech, visited, 
 "With signs of doom, and witnesses of power. 
 Pree welcome gave the patriarchs of the vale, 
 
 Abel, to thy seed ; and young Zateel 
 
 The influence of his virtue, birth, and rank 565 
 
 Exerted in behalf of injured worth : 
 
 But, chief, with Hon rapt communion held, 
 
 By sympathy of soul ; alike akin 
 
 To the great heart of nature, poets both. 
 
 — Bom in the exile's land ; far, far away 570 
 
 From old traditions, and the sacred soU, 
 
 Of high renown for deeds, and names of fame ^ 
 
 Eame honourable in the sight of God, 
 
 Not of men only ; to the Shepherd Bard 
 
 Zateel had pleasing knowledge to impart. 575 
 
 ' Come with me, Hon ;' said the lovely youth — 
 (0 both were lovely ; amiable they 
 As Jonathan, and David, singer sweet. 
 In after-ages, whereof may be read 
 
 In Hebrew Scripture episodes divine.) — 580 
 
 ' Come with me, Hori ; and in Armon's vale, 
 
 1 will instruct thee in the wondrous spot 
 Where Adam was created, ere his Maker 
 
 Set in the garden Man whom he had formed — 
 
 Till then the child of Nature, thence of Grace. 585 
 
 Moreover, I will shew thee the sad Vale 
 
 Where fell the father of thy sinless seed. 
 
 Beneath the hand of Cain. Nay, weep not, Hori.' 
 
 ' It is no grief, Zateel ; or if it be, 
 It pleases more than it afflicts — it soothes 590 
 
 With a calm joy that elevates the soul ; 
 As when the dews have fallen, the fields revive. 
 And look with gladness into the blue eye, 
 And glittering face of the encircling heaven. 
 
TALE OF ADAM. 155 
 
 IV. 
 
 So to the Vale of Man's Creation came 595 
 
 The friendly pair. A shaggy wilderness ; 
 Luxuriant, void of culture, beautiful 
 But savage ; wide as wild, an ample grove, 
 Or rather forest country . . a wood world ; 
 It stretches far, a wonderous theatre, 600 
 
 Huge, and majestic ; of a scale so bold. 
 As Nature's hand may only operate. 
 On high rose cliff, and rock, and precipice ; 
 Mountain magnificence ; stupendous ridge ; 
 Whereto the Teneriffe of an after age, 605 
 
 The Alps, and Andes of a future world, 
 "Were common heights, or ordinary hills. 
 Mean, and domestic, by the eagle scorned. 
 Nor to be named in story, or in song. 
 — Far hiding in the skies their secret heads, 610 
 
 Above the lurid storm, and thunder cloud ; 
 Serene, and hoar, no Sun may ever melt 
 The untrodden snows that face his burning rays. 
 With everlastiag laughter bright as his. 
 And silent in its scorn. Down from their tops, 615 
 
 Eivers descend, large streams ; and hew them out 
 Broad channels, and in hushed seclusion lie. 
 In linked fellowship, a chaia of lakes ; 
 And islanded therein, a brotherhood 
 
 Of crag, and brake, abode of bird, and beast ; 620 
 
 Horrid with thorn, and briar ; vexed with weed. 
 And binder, cleaving to the nobler trunk. 
 And intricated with the branches, bare. 
 Or leafy, and the boughs of tangled trees : 
 Haunt of the Asp, the Adder, and the Snake ; 625 
 
 Jungle, and lair ; and dens, and caves, and sands ; 
 Desart, forlorn, and drear, and desolate ; 
 
156 THE CHILDEEN 01' ABEL. 
 
 Marshes, and swamps, and bogs, and miry fens.' 
 
 — There dwelt the Tapir ; there the Jaguar dwelt ; 
 
 Puma, and Bear, and "Wolf, and reinless Deer ; 630 
 
 Eeptile, and Insect grown to monstrous bulk ; 
 
 Viper, and Toad, and Bat, and noxious Ant ; 
 
 Vulture, and Eagle ; Condor, and Mackw. 
 
 Man had no habitation, here. August, 
 
 And lonely, to its silent solitude, 635 
 
 — So deep, and so profound it startled him, — 
 
 Chance-led, if he approached, he left it still ; 
 
 Avoiding it from reverence : and that it, 
 
 (For so had God commanded,) should remain, 
 
 Type of man's state by nature ; ere Grod's grace 640 
 
 Elect him, and exalt him to become 
 
 Heir of his mercy, child of Paradise, 
 
 Bom to Grod's Eden, freeman of his Church : 
 
 Oft yet beheld at distance, or more nigh 
 
 Surveyed, permitted for example so. 645 
 
 Hence, hither led Zateel the Shepherd Bard ; 
 
 Now both into the hallowed precincts set 
 
 Eeet unprofane ; yet they, with very awe. 
 
 Put off their shoes, as entering holy ground. 
 
 And it was holy, — and soon the twaia adored. 650 
 
 Eor, in the navel of a woody scene. 
 
 Nigh to the portal of that mystic place, 
 
 As at the altar of an outward porch, 
 
 Guarding the sanctuary it precedes. 
 
 Sate, in a radiance flowing from himself, 655 
 
 One like Elihu, spiritually bright. 
 
 With fear, the apparition they beheld ; 
 
 Their knees smote one another, and they fell 
 
 Trembling to earth, and worshipped silently ; 
 
 For terrour made them mute. But mildly he 660 
 
 Eose gracious ; and, advancing, gently spake : 
 
 ' Stand up ; I am your fellow servant, sent 
 To teach what ye would learn.' 
 
TAIE OF ADAM. 157 
 
 "With this assuTjed, 
 Their confidence returned, and they resumed 
 An attitude erect ; but, with bent brow, 665 
 
 In veneration stood, while he pursued. 
 
 ' Hence was the dust derived, whereof the Sire 
 
 Of Heaven, and Earth first moulded flesh of Man ; 
 
 Then breathed into his nostrils breath of life, 
 
 That he became a living soul. Awhile, 670 
 
 "Within these wilds he wandered, innocent. 
 
 And unrepining ; and forsaken not 
 
 By him who made him, and, with thoughts divine, 
 
 Led to aspire, and warranted to hope ; 
 
 Till in a cultivated garden set, 675 
 
 To dress it, and to keep it, lord of all. 
 
 Then he beheld how lovely Order was. 
 
 And how rude Nature put on novel charms, 
 
 "When unto Law obedient, God's, or man's, 
 
 Trained by his will, and nurtured to his use. 680 
 
 But, ah, that blest estate he forfeited ; 
 
 Living, not Knowing, he preferred to die. 
 
 Though by well living he had known all things, 
 
 Ajid known all without evil, or delay. 
 
 Thence to the ground whence he was taken, Man, 685 
 
 Eemanded, was by labour d/aomed to win 
 
 What Love had given, had he not doubted Love : 
 
 But that same Love it was, appointed now 
 
 Labour to Man ; to call the spirit forth 
 
 "Wherewith had Grod inspired him ; to subdue 690 
 
 Chaotic Nature, and impose what form 
 
 His heaven-derived Intelligence decrees. 
 
 And so regain the life which he hath lost. 
 
 — Thus Man by "Wisdom shall dominion use. 
 
 To govern, or evade aJl powers perverse, 695 
 
 Or rebel unto his supremacy, 
 
 And substitute them for his force of limb ; 
 
158 THE CHItDEEN OF ABEL, 
 
 And by his knowledge of them, and the might 
 
 "Which knowledge gives, rise into blest estate 
 
 Of leisure, and ability to rear 700 
 
 Moral, and intellectual edifice ; 
 
 Wherein, as in a temple, he may dwell. 
 
 With happiness, as to the present life, 
 
 And feel the Eternal, like an altar-flame. 
 
 Descending, in a cloud of glory, down 705 
 
 Into his soul, and charming it midway. 
 
 To meet it in the air, and guide to Grod. 
 
 — Not that the state of nature is not good. 
 
 For He who made it then beheld it so ; 
 
 But that 'tis chiefly good, because it hath 710 
 
 Capacity of better, which to work 
 
 Is, under God, the privilege of man. 
 
 Beautiful on this silent wilderness, 
 
 Their cataract of light, the moon, and stars 
 
 Shed, like a sea ; but few the forest paths 715 
 
 That feel their influence, few their shadows know. 
 
 Sublime, the sun at noon to burnished gold 
 
 Turns, with alchemic touch, the branches high, 
 
 That shine into the heaven ; which, again. 
 
 Shines down on them, reciprocally bright : 720 
 
 But all within is as a dreary cave. 
 
 Scarce speckled, even at noon, with Uriel. 
 
 Still desolation spreads ; bare rocks, and sand ; 
 
 Nor visit there the seasons. Spring ne'er makes 
 
 The crevices of rocks to teem with life ; 725 
 
 Nor hath the Summer beauty to bring forth ; 
 
 Nor Autumn aught to garner : well it were 
 
 Might Winter's influence cool its scorching sands. 
 
 But they may thirst in vain. The unlaboured earth 
 
 Is hidden with the multitude of trees ; 730 
 
 The untaught rivers, in no channels kept. 
 
 Drown, with perpetual flood, plains fertile else. 
 
 And to unhealthy moist convert the dry. 
 
VALE OF ADAM. 159 
 
 Vain the warm sun, vain climate of the south, 
 
 Vain soil prolific, that, with idle growth, 735 
 
 And rank luxuriance, vegetation clothes. 
 
 And chokes the wood, and covers blessfed earth 
 
 With useless shrubs, and herbs, and noxious weeds — 
 
 Unfit for habitance, or nourishment. 
 
 To life unfriendly, breathes the stagnant air ; 740 
 
 "With putrid exhalations water teems ; 
 
 And earth, encumbered, feels not sun, nor wind. 
 
 — Not there the brute gains vigour, though so wild, 
 
 And of the wild free denizen, and lord ; 
 
 Dwarfed in his bulk, nor various in his kind, 745 
 
 Nor numerous, though undestroyed by man : 
 
 While the less noble tribes of creeping things 
 
 Increase, and multiply, and grow in strength 
 
 And size ; the active principle of life 
 
 Its force expending on inferiour forms, 750 
 
 Offensive, monstrous, poisonous, and strange. 
 
 Only the birds, set free by gift of wing 
 
 Prom the controul of earth, howe'er it change, 
 
 Preserve their beauty, and their dazzling hue ; 
 
 Tet with less various note, less pleasing song, 755 
 
 In the too-silent ear of solitude. 
 
 No man to listen, they attune their loves. 
 
 — Man, elsewhere, taught by Wisdom diligence, 
 
 Makes habitable what were desart else ; 
 
 And with fertility, and beauty clothes, 760 
 
 Por use, and ornament, the mended earth : 
 
 And, while he works, redeems from fleshly coil 
 
 The soul which animates it, and acquits 
 
 Some faculty from its imprisonment ; 
 
 Till his perfection be accomplished quite 765 
 
 In revelation full, and use of all. 
 
 And One shall come, who, in the sight of men, 
 
 Shall the divinity of perfect man 
 
 Illustrate, and identify : and He 
 
160 THE CHILDEEN Or ABEL. 
 
 The Word, and "Will of Qod shall incarnate, 770 
 
 For Man's atonement, and instruction both. 
 
 His soul he shall possess in liberty, 
 
 Made free by truth, and purity of life ; 
 
 And thence of all things shall he knowledge have, 
 
 And earth to him, and water shaU submit ; 775 
 
 And air, and fire acinowledge him divine ; 
 
 And life, and death await upon his word ; 
 
 And miracle on his creative will ; 
 
 Who shall to Man ensample meet bequeath. 
 
 What, in the consummation of the age, 780 
 
 Shall crown him Monarch of the Elements. 
 
 — Meantime, shall many, though imperfect each, 
 
 Each in his several faculty complete. 
 
 Like functions of humanity set forth ; 
 
 So that in all the whole may be expressed, 785 
 
 The want of one by other still supplied, 
 
 And that of many sometimes by the one ; 
 
 But still by each his imperfection felt — 
 
 Way, all — and over land, and ocean wailed ; 
 
 So loud that heaven, and hell shall hear the moan. 790 
 
 Tet fear ye not ; for peace shall come at last.' 
 
 He paused ; but answer none his auditours 
 Had ready ; mute with awe, and fixed to hear. 
 Then he resumed. 
 
 ' I go to Armon hence, 
 To Noah, and his house : there would I have 795 
 
 Tour witness to the words,, I bear in charge 
 To utter ; and confirm them to the world. 
 That doubts the man who hath with me found grace.' 
 
 With this, he led them by the hand, and they 
 In sUence yielded, unreluctantly, §00 
 
 And on each side attended him along. 
 Beautiful Armon : There, assembled, now, 
 The family of Noah. Chava sage 
 
TALE OF ADAM. 161 
 
 Rejoices in her sons, a second Eve, 
 
 The mother of a world ; nor less in you, 805 
 
 Her duteous daughters, lovely in your love, 
 
 Fair in afiection ; a domestic group, 
 
 A touching scene ; but more pathetic made 
 
 By majesty of age, Methuselah, 
 
 Oldest of men, nor dying but with earth. 810 
 
 Noah was absent ; for it was the eve. 
 When he went forth into the silent fields 
 To meditate, whUe nature was serene : 
 And often then he heard the voice of God. 
 Soon, at brief distance, he beheld approach 816 
 
 Zateel, and Hori, by Elihu led ; 
 And hastened to adore. Anon his guests 
 He welcomed to his hospitable home ; 
 Then Noah thus. 
 
 ' And hath my Lord come down 
 To see if Earth hath altogether done 820 
 
 According to the cry that hath gone up ? 
 O be not wroth ; permit thou me to speak. 
 Who am but dust, and ashes ; and still spare — 
 Nor with the wicked slay the righteous too.' 
 
 Whereto, placed in the midst, Elihu spake ; 825 
 
 ' Thus saith the Lord to Noah, and his Sons ; 
 Man but for them should perish from the earth. 
 Whose countless sins have sieged the Eternal Throne ; 
 And the loud voice of blood incessant cries 
 Eor vengeance. Soon He riseth, and wiU sit 830 
 
 In Judgement ; and his sentence wiU go forth, 
 Armed with omnipotence ; and on all flesh 
 Death ride in Deluge, that His Spirit may 
 Be freed from bondage, and new Life may teem 
 Erom the baptizing flood, and Conscience rise, 835 
 
 With Godward answer, meet, and right, and good. 
 — Therefore prepare, Sons of Noah, now, 
 
162 THE CHILDEEN OF AJBIL. 
 
 For those appointed labours, which erewhile 
 
 Were set you ; siace by wonders, and by signs, 
 
 And tribulations hiudered, for so long 840 
 
 The All-Patient waits ; for what to Him is time ? 
 
 But He to time is alt: and therefore Time 
 
 Hath now heard warning spoken ; pleased, awaits 
 
 Another change ; not inexperienced, hails ; 
 
 Knowing that each brings on the accomplishment 845 
 
 Por which he worketh, anxious to become 
 
 Complete, and perfect in Eternity.' 
 
 This having said, he vanished. Heard with awe, 
 The household trembled ; and, in prayer devout, 
 Sought for the soul that solace it imparts. 850 
 
 END or EIFTH BOOK. 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 The frosted Sun, half shaded by a cloud, 
 
 Set like a crescent, during harvest time ; 
 
 Eed as a bloody banner in the air. 
 
 — Zateel and Hori stood alone, within 
 
 The Vale of Abel's Sacrifice, and Death. 5 
 
 ' Here are the altars, Hori,' said Zateel : 
 And Hori, pensive, murmured, ' Which is Abel's ? ' 
 
 ' This,' he replied ; — ' by memory arboured round 
 "With flowers ; but now they all are dead, as he 
 For whom love planted them.' 
 
 Both, pausing, mused ; 10 
 But Hori spake at last. ' It is the season, 
 And suits my mood, Zateel. More rude was Cain 
 Than winter. Wherefore smote he, like a blast. 
 The lovely and the loving ? ' 
 
 Sadly looked 
 Zateel, while thus he answered : ' Cain was tempted. 1 5 
 Wisdom had left him ; but his Pury came 
 To Cain, deep musing, and dissatisfied 
 With toil, with sickness, and with threatened death. 
 The Tempter came ; and both high commune held 
 On good, and evil ; freedom, and fixed fate ; 20 
 
 God, and creation ; man, and his dominion ; 
 The heavens, and this dim earth. Spiritual Law 
 With Nature strove ; and, with creative force, 
 Eeaurgent from the human soul, wrought out 
 The form desired, from quarry, newly hewn, 25 
 
 Of the material elements around. 
 And in the very flesh—the heart — of man. 
 
 m2 
 
164 THE PEEPAEATIOIT. 
 
 Hence labour, and hence pain : and much of both, 
 
 By circumstantial evil, is required 
 
 Per its removal ; but far more the flesh 30 
 
 Demands, for that in it the spirit lives. 
 
 And works, and by it, and a law creates 
 
 Against its own, in organ sensuous, 
 
 "Which, but for spiritual influence, were as none, 
 
 Blind, tasteless, deaf, intactual, nor of smeU ^5 
 
 Sagacious. Of this double tasli, had Cain 
 
 Toil so extreme in conquering the first, 
 
 (Else flesh had wanted life) that, in his person. 
 
 The harder labour had not time to prosper.' 
 
 Whereto thus Hori, low of tone, and mild : 40 
 
 ' But G-od, Zateel, had of the better law 
 Provided him a witness, in a Brother. 
 In concert, would together both had worked, 
 Mutual defect had mutual been supplied. 
 And unreluctant Abel — ' 
 
 Suddenly 45 
 
 Zateel drew up, exclaiming : ' Son of Abel : 
 Nature is proud of her priority. 
 The spiritual but succeeds her ; and she scorns 
 To 3deld to second comer ; nor e'er yet 
 Submitted, Hori, without agony. 50 
 
 This I have felt, and so may testify. 
 Wor would his natural delights man yield. 
 But that short of the infinite they fall, 
 (Whereto the senses would their organs task. 
 Being spiritual,) and so of happiness, 55 
 
 (Which must for rafinite capacity 
 Be infinite, or fail to satisfy,) 
 And soon expire in pain,, Him to redeem 
 From their indulgence, fatal even to death ; 
 By labour God suspended it, and raised 60 
 
 Man to exert high faculty of skill, 
 
TALE OH ABEL. 165 
 
 To vanquish Nature in the outer world, 
 And inner.' 
 
 Hon, thus reproved, more meek 
 Eesponded : ' O'er the outer world, as first, 
 Was Cain appointed victor, blessed to eat (55 
 
 Bread by his brow's sweat ; and to Abel was. 
 As second, given that inner world to rule. 
 But aye the sensual is averse from toil, 
 Morril, or carnal ; yet would be divine, 
 In knowledge absolute, obtained by theft, 70 
 
 Not earned ; and, stretching beyond bounds desire, 
 Leaps the abyss of space ; and what finds there?' 
 
 Whereto Zateel replied, in kindlier tone : 
 ' Ay, Hori ; what, indeed, but utter Chaos ? 
 O Reason's self oft wanders there unwise. 75 
 
 And thither led the Kend the rirst-bom Man ; 
 Beyond the habitable world, into 
 The Abyss of Space ; there, with one sudden fiight. 
 To learn at once the story of all worlds. 
 Fast, present, and to come, and of them ask 80 
 
 Questions that might experience supersede, 
 And please imagination indolent. 
 With phantasms, and vagaries ; to the realms. 
 Anon, of Death arriving. Space surpassed. 
 And Hades entered, yet at length to earth 85 
 
 Eeturning, all as ignorant as before. 
 — So, much perplexed and maddened, Cain came back. 
 Wearied with speculation, uninformed. 
 And troubled with the Mystery of Blood ; 
 But, in his phrenzy, shedding what he loathed, 90 
 
 Giving to God the victim he misdeemed 
 Wroth Heaven of Earth demanded.' 
 
 To such words 
 Hori these gravely added : ' Still the race 
 Of Cain present in worship but earth's iruits. 
 And shudder at the life-blood, which the seed 95 
 
166 THE ^BEPAEATIOIf. 
 
 Of Abel offer.' 
 
 Meditative, then, 
 Zateel spake, mildly : ' To the sense stiU chained, 
 The race of Cain, though grown in diligence. 
 Head no high meaning ui the life of man, 
 No revelation ia the sealed book, 100 
 
 Which God has written in the things he made. 
 The stars to them, indeed, a language speak 
 Por seasons, and for years ; but not as signs. 
 G-ood workmen are they ; and, with cunning hand, 
 Controul material substance, and employ 105, 
 
 In uses, worthy deemed. Even thus instruct 
 Fathers their sons ; but unintelligent 
 Of scientific principle, and rule. 
 And only careful of the body's good. 
 
 Hence, Gain could understand not, iu the blood, 110 
 
 Aught more than victim slain to Wrath Divine ; 
 Not that the merely animal was doomed, 
 For man's perfection, to be sacrificed ; 
 And carnal death despised, so that the soul 
 Be quickened, rising glorious from the grave 115 
 
 Of mortified flesh.' 
 
 "While Hori listened, 
 His brow grew heavy with the weight of thought, 
 Which found ia these relief: — 'And Abel's blood, 
 Zateel, thus shed, reveals an earnest truth ; 
 That he who would redemption for himself, 120 
 
 Or for his race, accomplish, must be brave, 
 In patience to endure the deadly hate 
 Of man, from nature undelivered yet ; 
 Content, if so salvation come, to be. 
 First, an Ensample ; next, a Sacrifice.' 125 
 
 Thus moralized the friendly pair : then home. 
 By the moon's light, returned ; for now the stars 
 With chilliag influence smote. When Hori next 
 
TALE OP ABEL. 167 
 
 The Vale of righteous Abel visited, 
 
 He was alone, and summer had restored 130 
 
 The grave-flowers all their bloom, a beauteous shew : 
 
 But not to Hori beauteous ; for his heart 
 
 Was broken with affliction. Vain all signs 
 
 Unto the Cainite ; stiU, with mortal rage, 
 
 He followed up his victory, and claimed, 135 
 
 From their retreats, the captives as his slaves. 
 
 And Hori thus was seized, and to the wiU 
 
 Of tyrant was subdued. His free-bom soul 
 
 Eevolted, and then drooped, deprived of life, 
 
 Of moral life, and motive power of act ; 140 
 
 To every influence of joy, and pain. 
 
 As bards are ever, all too sensitive. 
 
 Thus, in the morning, odours from afar 
 
 Attract the Bee, and, in the eve, or ere 
 
 The storm come on, the absence of the sun 145 
 
 Chills back the busy creature to her hive — 
 
 Like her, much store of honey, and of wax 
 
 He gathered, and laid up on his return . . 
 
 A mental treasure. Now his work is wrought. 
 
 So the poor Bee, of her antennae shorn, 150 
 
 The instruments, with which she once received 
 
 Effluvial motion, broken, and destroyed ; 
 
 The spell of her activity is dead. 
 
 Contrivance, wisdom, ingenuity — 
 
 Stupid, and helpless; torpid, and efiete; 155 
 
 Order, subordination, loyalty. 
 
 Thrift, occupation, all are over now, 
 
 Wanderer forlorn, and isolate, and dull : 
 
 Such Hori was ; and, in the populous world 
 
 A stranger grown, he had no interest there. 160 
 
 Scaped from despotic vigilance, he came, 
 One summer's day, into the Vale of Death ; 
 And laid him down upon a sunny bank. 
 And looked into the heaven's unclouded blue. 
 
168 THE PEEPABATION. 
 
 As his blue eye might blend therein, or that 165 
 
 Melt down into his visionary soul. 
 
 Thus he, in silence, and in solitude. 
 
 Gazing reposed ; nor moved, when night came on, 
 
 Nor when the day returned; and, day by day. 
 
 And night by night, unmindful of the claims 170 
 
 Of hunger or of thirst, into the face 
 
 Of dayUt sky or starry, upward still 
 
 Looked patient, like a prisoner supine, 
 
 Chained to a hill' side, doomed to lonely death. 
 
 — By chance, Zateel there wandered ; led, one eve, 175 
 
 By tender memory, to the sacred spdt ; 
 
 And there beheld him in the loveliness, 
 
 And resignation of his lifeless brow. 
 
 High meditation in the glazed eye. 
 
 His gifted vision read ; and then, aloud, 180 
 
 He prayed the Shepherd, by the flocks he knew. 
 
 The pastures, and the rivers that he loved. 
 
 The green hills, and the quiet of the heavens. 
 
 To wake from that deep sleep. Soon, on his soul 
 
 Came twilight, and a haunted gloominess ; 1 85 
 
 And murmurs, and dim sounds of shrieks, and sighs ; 
 
 And shapes, as in a dream, were struggling there. 
 
 Pale even to polished whiteness, terrible. 
 
 — Was it a dream ? Lo, on the outlined air, 
 
 Michael appeared ; and, with angelic hand, 190 
 
 Blessed the beloved Dead on whom he gazed. 
 
 ' Thrice blessed be the sufferer, set now 
 From the oppressor free.' 
 
 Thus Michael said. 
 But then, as with strange power, permitted him 
 Since that disastrous night, Azaziel smote 195 
 
 The extended benediction, and uptowered, 
 "With all a victor's insolence, above 
 The Seraph of the sky. 
 
 ' Bless not whom Q-od 
 
AWIMA.LS. 169 
 
 Hath cursed ; whom, for the guilty, he hath made 
 
 A curse. Curse whom he dooms — the innocent, 200 
 
 Successive victims to atone his vnrath, 
 
 Until One die for AU.' 
 
 This to his knee 
 Brought down the faithful Guardian. Not to him, 
 But to his God he prayed ; and short is now 
 The demon's triumph. Fallen on earth's face, 205 
 
 Elihu's presence he confessed ; who thus, 
 As on a cloud supported, eloquent, 
 Bent the right hand of his extended arm 
 In action of command ; and, vfith the left. 
 Appointed him his place of prostrate shame. 210 
 
 ' !From Ahel's blood to that last Sacrifice,' 
 Exclaimed he, ' Man must answer. God demands 
 No victims to his wrath ; but man doth make 
 His prophets martyrs, sent in love to man, 
 That he might hear, and Uve.' 
 
 This heard Zateel— 215 
 On one knee kneeling, one hand on his heart. 
 One high in air ; thus, with the gaze he looked 
 Of him who sees a vision, wonder-rapt. 
 Entranced in ecstasy, possessed, inspired. 
 
 II. 
 
 Need for high faith had sorrowing Zateel. 220 
 
 To him had Hori been, as once himself 
 To Samiasa ; but the loss he felt, 
 Was for the Shepherd keener than the King : 
 For Love descends more easily than soars. 
 But now a void was left which Zerah might 225 
 
 Even fill not in his mind. Not seldom too. 
 The monarch's mystic destiny awoke 
 Inquiry, to be satisfied ere long. 
 
 By sea, and shore, the Sophist, and the King 
 
170 THE PBEPAEATIOIf. 
 
 Held on their way ; until their wandering steps, 230 
 
 Dudael, once again thy lonely waste 
 
 Trod, not unknown. New wonder waits them there ; 
 
 For, fearless of the sands, behold, afar. 
 
 Two PUgrims of the Wild, yet not on foot, 
 
 But mounted, as in triumph, on white steeds. 235 
 
 On still they came ; and, round about them, thronged. 
 
 As by their presence charmed, the deaart-beasts. 
 
 — There were the Lion, and his Prey ; as though 
 
 Por them they had the ready himters been, 
 
 And for his young provided, with consent 240 
 
 Right leonine — his young, couchant in dens. 
 
 Lying in wait, else hid in covert glades. 
 
 — The Eaven, satisfied, as if his brood 
 
 Cried not to G-od, nor needed, hovered there. 
 
 — Peculiar kind, and tallest of the race, 245 
 
 The mighty Ostrich ; large, inapt for flight, 
 
 TJpon her wings ; but, powerful of leg, 
 
 G-od gave her swiftness, and unrivalled speed, 
 
 That dares the horse, and rider to pursue ; 
 
 Now fleeing not, she swells the lordly train. 250 
 
 — Patient of desert thirst, the Camel-Bird ; 
 
 With Cassowary, Rhea, and Emeu ; 
 
 The Dodo, and the Bustard — ^giants all, 
 
 Tet gentle ; iron eaters, not without 
 
 Heart for their offspring, watching o'er their eggs, 255 
 
 Laid in the torrid sands, solicitous 
 
 With circling flight, or sitting o'er the pit 
 
 Which serves them for a nest ia cooler climes. 
 
 — There were the mountain Groat, and forest Hind, 
 
 Whose many moons none knows ; they bow themselves, 260 
 
 Bring forth their young, and cast their sorrows out ; 
 
 Hale are their young, nor need be fed of com, 
 
 Porsaking once their dam, returning never. 
 
 — There also the' free Pard, whose bands none brake ; 
 
 Whom, in the wilderness, God gave to house, 265 
 
ANIMALS. 
 
 171 
 
 And make his dwelling in the barren land : 
 
 Afar he sees, and scorns the city throng, 
 
 And disregards the crying of the driver ; 
 
 In purest air, his mountain pasture ranging. 
 
 And of his verdant feast in joy partaking. 270 
 
 — There was the Unicorn obedient. "Who 
 
 Beheld him then, might deem, that he would stand 
 
 Beside thy crib, and live upon thine alms. 
 
 Bow to thy yoke his shoulder, and for thee 
 
 Harrow the vale, or in the furrow plough. 275 
 
 Yet trust not him, for he is strong, nor leave 
 
 To him thy labour, doubting not but he 
 
 Thy seed will sure bring home, and heap thy bam. 
 
 — There came Behemoth : he, whom Grod did make 
 
 Docile, though mighty ; eating of the grass, 280 
 
 Ox-hke ; but with superiour force, and power 
 
 Embedded in his navel, and his loins. 
 
 No more is seen Behemoth now : . . but, then. 
 
 In motion like a cedar was his tail ; 
 
 His sinews wrapt the shelly substance up ; 285 
 
 Even as strong bars, his ribs ; and, like strong bars 
 
 Of iron, were his bones ; chief work of God. 
 
 Not him might man, but Grod, pierce through, and wound. 
 
 Mountains, where beasts play wUd, to him gave food ; 
 
 Trees shadowed his repose, in covert hid 290 
 
 Of reeds, and fens ; the willows of the brook 
 
 Compassed his cool retreat. "Was he athirst ? 
 
 He drank a river, persevering slow. 
 
 As Armon might be drawn into his month. 
 
 So fixed his eyes upon the lessening stream, 295 
 
 "While his strong snout brake way through every snare. 
 
 The Mastodon, provided with huge teeth 
 And tusks of ivory, in the incisive bone 
 Inserted, thick of limb, and with a trunk 
 Gfraced like the elephant, rival in height, 300 
 
 Of length exceeding his, herbivorous brute, 
 
172 THE PEEPAKATION. 
 
 Succeeded. Others smaller ; and with them 
 
 The Mammoth, mighty of hone, and short of neck, 
 
 Horrent with mane, and horned from the jaw. 
 
 Also with tusks, hut doubly curved. The Sloth, 305 
 
 The Ai, tree-climber, with reverted look, 
 
 "While travelling along the line of branch, 
 
 Gazing at the observer from below ; 
 
 The Megalonyx, monstrous brute, of claw 
 
 Immense, thrice lion size ; were there. Nor there 310 
 
 Wanting the Megatherium. Tardy of gait, 
 
 Brief-trunked, brief-tailed, and resting on its hand, 
 
 It walked, robust, yet feeding chief on roots, 
 
 And to its talons trusting for its food ; 
 
 Enormous creature ; elegant, and light 315 
 
 Of head, and neck ; bulky its hinder parts. 
 
 — Tiger, and Wolf, with the voracious Bear, 
 
 Then tame, there herded gentle. Hunters them 
 
 Since seek in jungle, and den, both east, and north. 
 
 In thicket hid of wood, and grass, and rush, 320 
 
 The Tiger slinks ; meanwhile, the sportsmen band. 
 
 Warned by the instinct of the Elephant, 
 
 Wake him to roaring, tUl he covert break ; 
 
 Then furious war begins, nor peril free. 
 
 Lone with his females in tree-hollow, cave, 325 
 
 Or rocky cleft, the hybernating Bear 
 
 Immures lethargic : soon the hunter's skall 
 
 Them circles with a cordon populous — 
 
 Tracked in the snow their doubles, and ringed roimd 
 
 Miles in circumference, sUently, with skill, 230 
 
 TiU found their lair ; attacked with men, and dogs. 
 
 Slain are they in their den ; or, summer sport, 
 
 Boused out the furious brutes, noble sometimes. 
 
 With head erect, and spirit fiery, 
 
 As of the war-horse, dashing in full speed 235 
 
 At hunter, or at opening for escape. 
 
 Fain to take refuge soon in tangled brake ; 
 
ANIMALS. 173 
 
 Beset, and wheeling still from side to side. 
 
 They keep at hay pursuers, hut at length 
 
 Pall dead with many wounds ; — they, and their cuhs. 240 
 
 So too in glen, the Wolf, sequestered, wild, 
 
 Eock-strewn, a craggy dell. A fiercer dog 
 
 Is he, and may be tamed ; and, like a dog. 
 
 He winds his prey afar ; yet them between 
 
 Is mutual enmity, and when they meet 245 
 
 Stern strife begins, but, in the end of such. 
 
 Difference ensues ; . . the victor Wolf devours 
 
 His victim ; but, not so, the nobler Dog 
 
 Leaveth untouched the carcase on the field. 
 
 The shades of evening set, forth prowls the Wolf, 250 
 
 Timid, yet strong, made but by hunger bold. 
 
 All things his prey, in wintery droves he scours. 
 
 Ferocious, hot for blood, from meanest thiag 
 
 To that of man. Now, both with man, and brute, 
 
 In peaceful guise he comes, iu order due ; 255 
 
 Nor shuns man's friend, the Dog, nor seeks to slay. 
 
 — With him the simple Hare, Eoebuck, and Fox ; 
 
 Badger, and Stag ; Rein-deer, and giant Elk ; 
 
 In fellowship, together journey on. 
 
 Largest of Deer, the Elk, profusely horned, 260 
 
 Majjestic creature : when incensed, his mane 
 
 Upbristles like the lion's. Graceful, too. 
 
 The Draught Deer, swift of foot : in after time. 
 
 Him shall the dweller of the realm of ice 
 
 Eein to his sledge, the slippery path along 265 
 
 Borne joyous rapid o'er the wild of snow. 
 
 The Stag how stately ; of the woodlands king : 
 
 With beamy crown adorned his antlered head, 
 
 Agile of motion, beautiful in strength. 
 
 What anguish feels he in the cruel chase ; 270 
 
 His eyes weep hiiman tears, ere, panting, he 
 
 Resigns his towering front, and dappled skin 
 
 To the impatient pack. Of humbler shape. 
 
174 THE PEEPAEATION. 
 
 The Badger's cutting bite frays off the hound. 
 
 — The TJrus, elephantine iu his bulk, 275 
 
 With a red eye, and fiery ; thick, and short 
 
 Of horn, and neck ; with curlfed hair o'erreiled 
 
 His forehead — shaggy maned. With these came on 
 
 The Lynx feliae, meet cousiu of the Wolf, 
 
 Now mild as he, with the Hysena Dog, 280 
 
 And the Hysena's self, the Tiger- Wolf : 
 
 Cruel, and fierce, by solitude made stern, 
 
 Of flocks, and herds rapacious . . hunger-mad, 
 
 Even new-closed graves he rifles for his food. 
 
 Now gentle as the gentle Pelican, 285 
 
 Which, with the Cormorant, no glutton now, 
 
 The Eaven of the Sea, expands on high 
 
 His dusky wing ; nor fears for lack of food, 
 
 His weU-fiUed wallet hanging down his breast. 
 
 That with his bill he presses, when he would 290 
 
 Nourish his young in desart, or on isle. 
 
 Or feed his brooding female on the nest. 
 
 — There, too, the Vulture hovered ; and the Hoc, 
 
 Fabled, or true ; . . big, strong, and wide of wing ; 
 
 Perocious Bird — ^but with the Puma, now, 245 
 
 Llama, and Calf, its wonted prey, at peace. 
 
 With these the Grriffon, bearded or without. 
 
 Kite, Buzzard, Palcon. Prominent of brow. 
 
 Hook-beaked, the Palcon tribe, and their great strength 
 
 Is in their talqns, curved, acute, and long ; 300 
 
 Tenants of rock, and cliff, and mountain range. 
 
 Nor absent was the strong-beaked Vulture-King, 
 
 With ruff of ashy grey, and brightly plumed, 
 
 Carrion his food ; or, wanting this, the Snake, 
 
 And Lizard are his meat. Lizard, and Snake 305 
 
 Are here : the Tortoise both of land, and sea. 
 
 And Salamander, in the cold, and damp 
 
 Eejoicing, with the Prog, and harmless Toad, 
 
 Oft musical, and laughing in the fens : 
 
EDWA, AND AZABADEL. 175 
 
 Beaver, and Otter, with the Serpent tribe, 310 
 
 Subtlest of beasts, quick — strong — voluminous, 
 
 Plated in mail, and loving best the storm, 
 
 The hurricane ; rejoicing in uproar. 
 
 Python — keen-sighted, patient to restrain 
 
 Impulse, untU secure to seize his prey ; 315 
 
 Beautiful oft, and bright of hue, he lies 
 
 Beside the waters ; of capacity 
 
 Goat, and Gazelle, even Tiger, to receive, 
 
 As raven for his maw ; once by a god 
 
 Slain — great ApoUo's shaft : the Boa huge, 320 
 
 That, with enormous folds, involves, and clasps. 
 
 And crushes soon the victim it absorbs : 
 
 The Eattle-snake, that warns ere it attacks. 
 
 Of man afraid, yet dangerous if disturbed : 
 
 Naja majestic, with a human face, 325 
 
 Glowing in coloured scales : Cerastes horned ; 
 
 The agUe Viper, elegant, and light. 
 
 Tinted, and lively, capable of love, 
 
 Of fond attachment, and famUiar play 
 
 With childhood. Nor were wanting Insects there ; 330 
 
 The Bee, and gaudy Butterfly, and Moth, 
 
 The humbler Fly, the Beetle, and the Gnat, 
 
 With the wise Ant, and irritable Wasp, 
 
 The Spider, and the Glow-worm, and aJl worms, 
 
 Not without mind, though creatures of small size, 335 
 
 And worthy their Creatour. Thronging there, 
 
 Attendant on those Pilgrim twain, they came, 
 
 By Samiasa, then, and Palal seen ; 
 
 With wonder, and with awe not uninspired. 
 
 III. 
 
 Attended thus. Ham, and EHhu rode : 340 
 
 Serene, EHhu ; wonder-stricken. Ham. 
 As o'er the realm of life EUhu held 
 
176 THE PEEPAEATIOir. 
 
 Sovran supremacy, and regal rule, 
 
 Like One, G-od made to be with, glory crowned, 
 
 And set above his works, beneath his feet 345 
 
 AU things disposed, in due subjection placed. 
 
 Him knew not Samiasa, but conceived 
 
 Some attribute divine incarnate in 
 
 That image of dominion, and, with knee 
 
 Low bent, shewed reverence ; eftsoons, bid to rise, 350 
 
 Called by his name, he started at the sound. 
 
 But answered not, while on Blihu spake : 
 
 ' Discrowned king, but new enthroned man ; 
 Here loiter not — the City named from thee 
 Thy presence needs, which yet 'twill fail to save. 355 
 
 What then ? "What is it to thee ? His task to do 
 To man is given — the issues are vrith God. 
 Behold, I have endowed the Horse with strength, 
 Have girt his neck with thunder — and can shake 
 His courage, as he were a grasshopper. 260 
 
 Mount on his back, even thou, and Palal, too ; 
 Palal, in whom faith buds not, though I quench 
 The glory of these nostrUs terrible. 
 That he may lide in safety. Be it so.' 
 
 And as he spake, submiss two Steeds approached, 365 
 And pawed vnth pride the ground, and in their strength 
 Eejoiced ; valiant, as if prepared to meet 
 Men armed for war, and making mock of fear : 
 Not them the sword would fright ; 'gainst them in vain 
 Quiver would rattle, glitter spear, and shield. 370 
 
 In haste, then, on their shoulders sprang the King, 
 And Sophist ; nor gave time the rampant steeds ; 
 The ground in rage, and fierceness they devoured — 
 "War-steeds they were ; whence come they might not know ; 
 But from afar — ^hark, sounded clarions loud ; 375 
 
 Straightway those battle-horses reared their necks. 
 Doubting the trumpet's blare with scornful neigh, 
 Saying ha ! ha ! and snuffed the distant strife, 
 
EDKA, AND AZAEABEL. 177 
 
 The captain's thunder, and the shouting hosts : 
 
 Then sought, as if on eagle's •wings, what they 380 
 
 Deemed the heroic conflict that they loved. 
 
 — But their high Master otherwise decreed. 
 
 Till Night, the brave Steeds bore the "Wanderers — 
 And the Stars on the sands looked from the Sky ; 
 A Paradise all Heaven, Earth all a Waste, 385 
 
 Save for the Horsemen twain, in whom Life lived. 
 Only in them ; elsewhere was Life as Death, 
 Death without Birth, a barren sepulchre. 
 
 But lived it in them only ? Voices scare 
 The silent Moon, admiring as she saUs, 390 
 
 Like Hades through the Deep of fluid Air — 
 A ship of Souls, a populous Orb — and long • 
 A "Wanderer o'er the desart solitude ; 
 Tet wondering more to hear, or to behold 
 Vocal, or moving aught, though few, and rare. SOS 
 
 Kound, and at fuU, her broad bright beams shed down 
 A radiance o'er strange group, at distance seen. 
 Chiefs, and attendants ; horsemen, and men armed. 
 
 What did they in the silent WUdemess ? 
 
 Nor men alone : — a Woman in the midst 400 
 
 Shrieked loud to the deaf wilds, and hearts as deaf. 
 And wild : — for, obvious in the light, the King 
 His Brother recognized, Azaradel ; 
 And Sodi ; and with them was Edna fair. 
 
 Had Sodi, then, by force, and, with the aid 405 
 
 Of sovran power, conveyed, from her far home. 
 The Maid who scorned his love, here now to sate 
 Passion grown savage since ? No — in his heart, 
 Once good, ruled vengeful Hate where once reigned Love, 
 That to the incestuous prince was wiUing now 410 
 
 To sacrifice fair Object, whom he loathed 
 StiU fair to see, stUl pure . . a blessed thing. 
 
178 THE PEEPAEATIOlf. 
 
 Then paused the Twain, to note wtat there might chance; 
 A friendly mound of sand concealed their forms. 
 And weariaess had tamed, and hushed their steeds, 415 
 So hard had they been ridden. Thus, by chance. 
 Ail they o'erheard, unable to contend 
 "With troop so numerous, lawless, bent on Ul. 
 
 And Edna pleaded for her virgin rights : 
 ' Men cruel ; men profane ; why have ye rapt 420 
 
 Me from the vale of peace, and holiness. 
 From Armon, and the Family of Seth ? 
 Sodi, thou lovedst me once. Can one who loves, 
 "Who loved me ever, seize by force, by fraud, 
 My ianocence, thus — thus — transporting me, 425 
 
 —Whither?'— 
 
 Then Sodi answered her, in scorn, 
 In irony : 
 
 • Edna ; to a monarch's arms — 
 To future honour, and dominion — Say, 
 Is this not love ? ' 
 
 ' save me from such love ;' 
 Cried Edna, falling prostrate on the earth, 430 
 
 ' Father of Heaven, oh, save me from such love.' 
 
 ' And I vrill save thee,' . . Samiasa said, . . 
 And forth had rushed, but then his Angel came. 
 Even Phanuel, and stood before him here, 
 Restraining him with this admonishment — 435 
 
 • She shall be saved ; for Grod has heard her prayer.' 
 
 Then o'er her bent Azaradel, and raised 
 The drooping maid. 
 
 ' Why shouldst thou fear, who love r' 
 Fair Edna, daughter of translated Enoch, 
 Named from thy mother, thee I saw in tears, 440 
 
 Then loveliest, at Lamech's burial- tide ; 
 Hopeless of other chance, 'twas my despair 
 Surprised thee, and with seeming violence, 
 Hath borne thee from the Patriarch's land awav — 
 
EDNA, AND AZABADEL. 179 
 
 To Enos bent.' 
 
 'Bid city,' . . tten, she cried : 445 
 
 But he : 
 
 ' There, with the aid of Tubalcain, 
 Bride of a Prince, from Amazarah far, 
 "We may both reign, and revel in high joy, 
 'Till to return it please us, and to wrest 
 Dominion from her hand, decrepid now, 450 
 
 And hated by the people.' 
 
 Here he paused. 
 As having said too much — but safely more 
 The traitor might have uttered ; for aU sense 
 Had left the Yirgin, sunk into a swoon. 
 
 ' Ho, Hherem ;' cried Azaradel, . . ' take charge 455 
 
 Of sleeping Beauty ; for without thee, how 
 Could we for safety answer in these sands ? 
 And if aright I augur, a wild storm 
 WiQ waken from the calm of this fair night.' 
 
 ■ Pear not ;' said Hherem, coming from the train, 460 
 ' God-bom.' — 
 
 ' God-bom ?' demurred Azaradel : — 
 ' Aden's a god to them who so believe ; 
 But not to me.' 
 
 ' Not he thy sire.' 
 
 ' Who then ?— 
 What, thou f 
 
 ' Now, heed the tale which I will tell — 
 Fit place, and time, the Desart, and the Night, 465 
 
 For sucli revealing. 'Tis the Mystery 
 Of Amazarah. Sit we down, awhile. 
 About this Fountain in the Wilderness.' 
 
 So down they sate in circle ; Hherem, then. 
 To willing listeners thus his tale pursued. 470 
 
 ' When Cain from her by name of Wisdom Imown 
 Departed in his anger, and his heart 
 
 N 2 
 
180 THE PBEPABATION. 
 
 Set on stem Beauty, sucli as Pury wears : 
 
 The Spirit whom he mated, then, conceived 
 
 Vision how Murther followed hard on Theft ; 475 
 
 And the Tiend burned to example the bad league. 
 
 Eve's first-born solemnized the marriage-rite, 
 
 And shed abroad the sacramental wine. 
 
 That made it holy, from the living tree. 
 
 Glad I beheld it pour from out the cup, 480 
 
 Then dashed the void vain vessel to the ground. 
 
 — Once I was beautiful, as "Woman is— 
 
 How beautiful, when in the Tiger's form 
 
 Or Lion's, in the life of wrath, keen wrought 
 
 By hunger, I was limbed, and in each Umb 485 
 
 Shewed life in motion — beautiful, when in 
 
 The human heart I found a templed ark, 
 
 Wherein my laws were hidden. Beautiful 
 
 I seemed to Cain, till Conscience waked his soul 
 
 To fear, and in the mirrour of his dread 490 
 
 Changed my aspect to satyrane, and vile ! 
 
 Upon the maned Steed, he flew afar — 
 
 I followed, all as fast. Now Enos rose, • 
 
 And was enlarged ; and Wealth increased, and lust 
 
 Of Lucre, that divinest appetite 495 
 
 Wtich pleases most thy avaricious soul, 
 
 The noblest attribute, Azaradel. 
 
 Beauty in women, Majesty in men 
 
 Had birth, and being, and dominion won ; 
 
 And straight the Spirit of Pride from the Abyss, 500 
 
 "Walked in its ways ; finding a home, and shrine, ' 
 
 A Temple in the City, and was adored 
 
 Under the name of Mammon, haughty god. 
 
 And heartless, heaping-up for self-good only 
 
 "Wealth, or Opinion, careful of none else — 505 
 
 And, ay, at many a hearth was welcome he. 
 
 In more familiar guise — and in the house 
 
 Of royal Lamech dwelt, and had high speech ■ 
 
EDNA, AND AZAEADEL. 181 
 
 "With Zillah fair, and Adah beautiful. 
 
 — I saw him there, and knew the sports he played ; — 510 
 
 Ah, present then was I, when Lamech breathed 
 
 His dread for them he slew, in Adah's ear. 
 
 And Zillah's. There between the Twain he stood, 
 
 TrembUng ; the reeking weapon in his hand. 
 
 The witness of his guilt. With drooping mien, 515 
 
 Zillah that story heard, and in her soul 
 
 Pelt the cold hand of death, and with the touch 
 
 Thrilled, shuddering, terrour-stricken, awe-subdued — 
 
 But Adah was of bolder strain, and she 
 
 Cheered him with hope, and of resources spake, 520 
 
 Such as but women find, when perils throng, 
 
 To break successfully their dsedal net. — 
 
 Like them their daughters : — fair Naamah, soft. 
 
 Soft as her mother, Zillah ; — Adah's child 
 
 "Was Amazarah, brave and brilliant maid ; 525 
 
 For Adah to god Mammon listened pleased. 
 
 And her the Power compressed, whence issue grew, 
 
 The glorious Queen, whose daring waked to Love 
 
 Adon, soon slain by Amazarah' s scorn — 
 
 Her scorn ? — Ope, now, thine ears, Azaradel. 530 
 
 Her scorn ? — Thou doubtest well, my Son, my Son, 
 
 Thy godship sprung of Adon. Not of thee 
 
 "Was he the Sire. I wooed her, in her scorn : 
 
 I — deity — wooed her, the daughter of 
 
 A deity — preferred accepted claims — 535 
 
 And thou — nay, start not — for there comes of this 
 
 "What wiU to thee do service.' — 
 
 Then loud laughed 
 Azaradel, exclaiming — 
 
 ' Speak it out ' — 
 And Hherem said : 
 
 ' "When to that City thou 
 Arrivest with this thy chaxge, there I'll repeat 540 
 
 The Legend I have told, while sitting now 
 
182 THE PEEPAEiTION. 
 
 About the Fountain in the Wilderness ; 
 
 And thou, in right of thy descent, shalt claim 
 
 Honours divine, as both by sire, and dam 
 
 Divinely sprung — God Mammon thou shalt be, 545 
 
 Made visible, revealed to mortal sense ; 
 
 And this shall be thy Bride, by Oracle, 
 
 Destined, withiu the Temple of the Power, 
 
 To bless thy bed, shrined in the Secret Place.' 
 
 Then rose the Prince, and all who there on him 550 
 
 Attended, with the feint of Hherem glad ; 
 And made for Enos with what speed they might. 
 
 And Samiasa spake, while Palal heard : 
 ' My heart was bursting in me while the Rend 
 Lied in my Brother's ear. But 'tis to him 555 
 
 Appointed to degrade me ; and a speU 
 Was on me while he lied, and still remains. 
 Tet do I feel my own good Angel nigh. 
 Palal, save for his word, that Edna's prayer 
 Was answered, and the assurance that I feel, 560 
 
 He who sustains all power owns vrill to save 
 Her innocence . . fair Edna's innocence . . 
 My trust in him had given my single might 
 Success against those hosts. Moreover, He 
 Who rules the tribes of animals, and lent 665 
 
 TJs safety in the steeds we now bestride, 
 Imposed on me high duty, to return 
 Unto the City of my Name, where aid 
 Of mine was wanted. Nor may I presume 
 To change in aught the tasks appointed me.' 570 
 
 ' I know not,' answered Palal, ' aught of word 
 Angelic ; but dispute not thy resolve. 
 ' Tis Wisdom to escape, with utmost speed, 
 The desart-wUd, for human dwelling-place.' 
 
 With that, the Sophist, and the King spurred on 575 
 Their rested steeds, swift o'er the sands conveyed. 
 
HAM, AND ELllIU. 183 
 
 IV. 
 
 Onward to Naid, Ham, and Elihu wend : 
 And, through the gates of that metropolis, 
 Pass with the miracle of multitudes. 
 
 Ferocious once, now tamed — increasing train, 580 
 
 In countless numbers it were vain to tell. 
 
 The tall Giraffe, — since Ethiopian brute, 
 A. Cameleopard, male, and female here ; 
 The male the taller, with high-raised chest. 
 And taper neck, and head ; placid of mien, 585 
 
 Dun, with brown spots, his hue, and bristly-maned : 
 The Monkey, with the crescent on his brow. 
 Like the night's borrowed sun, the crescent moon. 
 Befitting symbol, mimicry of man : 
 
 The Oran Outang — wild man of the woods — 590 
 
 Ape, and Baboon, with face for ever old ; 
 Ingenious race, of many species they. 
 The wUderness their home ; in reverence held. 
 By superstitious husbandman, who views 
 The herd of satyrs, issuing from their woods, 595 
 
 Seize the collected produce of his toil. 
 The cultivated fruits, and fain submits. 
 In apathy, his orchard to the rape : 
 The Squirrel, various — Tamia named, and Palm ; 
 A social tribe, roof-buUders, and within 600 
 
 Domestic sanctuary entering free. 
 Like the red-breasted bird, to pick the crumbs 
 That fall beneath the hospitable board 
 Familiar. Provident, and active these. 
 Protecting from the wind their mossy nests, 605 
 
 High on the forked branches, and, in store 
 For winter, laying up their proper food, 
 Nuts, chestnuts, acorns, berries, fruit, and maze, 
 Hid in tree-hollow, or beneath the ground ; 
 There burrowing long gaUeries, passaging 610 
 
184 THE PBEPAEATION. 
 
 To meet apartments, chambers separate 
 
 For eacli variety of treasured meat ; 
 
 Or in migration, from tbe pine, or birch, 
 
 They build their boat of bark, to cross the lake, 
 
 And woo the wind with obvious tail upraised. 615 
 
 Grey, red, and black — some flying, or so fast 
 
 Leaping, no swiftest arrow sent from bow 
 
 In sport, or strife, e'er sped so swift as they 
 
 From tree to tree, by moonlight foraging, 
 
 Or skimming through the air from branch to branch, 620 
 
 They feed on leaves, and insects, . . all the day 
 
 StUl nestling in the hollows of the trees. 
 
 — The double-wombed Opossum next, who loves 
 Trees for her dwelling, in a marshy site. 
 
 Or by the sea — the dreaming Civet too, 625 
 
 Slumbering the day, and prowling through the night 
 For birds, and smallest deer ; draining the gore 
 Ere gorging on the flesh ; yet odourous both.. 
 
 — The Glutton, darting often, from high bough, 
 
 On Elk, or Eein- deer's head, and tearing thence 630 
 
 The eyes, and sucking of its blood, until 
 
 Death ease the prey of anguish ; when he feasts, 
 
 Feasts till no food remain, or sleep surprise 
 
 The gorged feaster ; then, even by the side 
 
 Of his poor victim, sinks into repose. 635 
 
 — The Weazel, slender, sleek, and agile ; keen 
 For blood ; either inhabitant of caves, 
 
 And rocky fissures, or of sheltering woods, 
 
 According to their kinds — ^the Pine, and Beech, 
 
 And Sable Martens, costliest of the tribe. 640 
 
 — The Eatel, ravisher of honied combs. 
 Ash-grey, and black, and loose though tough of hide ; 
 Him guides the Honey-cuckoo with his note. 
 
 To the sweet treasures that he loves so well, 
 
 In burrows dug by quadrupeds, laid up . 645 
 
 For the small Bees, unconscious service. There 
 
HAM, AND BLIHTT. 185 
 
 The Indicator leads, itself too fraU 
 
 To storm the hi^e, the Eatel ; flying slow. 
 
 And halting in its flight ; and evermore 
 
 Admonishiag with warning voice, nntil 650 
 
 The spoil is neared, then, ceasing from its note. 
 
 Quietly perched upon a tree, awaits 
 
 Its share of plunder, rendered for reward. 
 
 Oft too, ere twilight eve, the Eatel sits, 
 
 Shading the rays of the decliniag sun, 655 
 
 With one paw, from his peering eyes, until 
 
 A flight of bees, returning to their homes. 
 
 Direct him where his pillage may be lodged. 
 
 ome say, by Granges, and the Jumna, too. 
 He prowls at night for newly -buried corse, 660 
 
 And scratches up the unprotected grave. 
 — 7The Beaver, architect by Nature taught. 
 And skilful builder, fetching from afar 
 Materials for the structure of his house. 
 Cemented well ; a rodent animal, 665. 
 
 For with his teeth he strips, and separates 
 The bark, his food, and wherewithal he builds ; 
 A populous villager ; or hermit shorn 
 Of former instinct, if of means deprived — 
 Neither less wise, the Ants. In peace with them 670 
 
 The Ant-eaters, great and less, with sheathed tongue, 
 Folding within their mouth ; — ^protruded whence, 
 They from the Ant-holes draw their proper prey. 
 — The Loris, slowly paced, which creeps abroad 
 At night, for prey, from branch to branch, of sleep 675 
 
 The guiltless murtherer ; and the Lemurs quick 
 But gentle, feeding but on fruits, and roots. 
 Living on trees, and basking in the sun, 
 A social band, with white aspect, or black, 
 Eufous, or many hued. The Eabbit kind, 680 
 
 The Agoutis, and the Pacas ; with the small 
 Chinchillas delicate, silken of fur, 
 
186 THE PREPAEATIOir. 
 
 Fine as the spider's web, a cleanly tribe — 
 
 The lively Jerboa, and the Manis scaled — 
 
 The alpine Marmot, provident to store, 685 
 
 For winter, moss, and hay, within the holes 
 
 Formed in the mountain- sides ; and there they sleep. 
 
 The door well-guarded first, to shut out cold. 
 
 And raging storm, as well as prowling foe. 
 
 The gentle Cavies, though irrational ; 690 
 
 Tet like thereto, how many of the race 
 
 That rule them, eat, and sleep, and propagate, 
 
 And do no more — The Dormouse of the wood, 
 
 Of hedge, and bush — The Mole, that makes its nest 
 
 Beneath the ground, of herbage and of moss, 695 
 
 Warm bed — The slender Fitche, that both the wood 
 
 And thicket haunts, of barn, and hen-roost foe — 
 
 The Kangaroo, on its hiad legs sustained. 
 
 And moving fast, high bounding and afar. 
 
 Its fore too brief, and but as hands employed 700 
 
 To dig with, or to feed. Named from its voice, 
 
 The Gnou, gregarious brute, like to the horse 
 
 In body, mane and tail, ox-Kke of head 
 
 And horns, and for his eye, the bright Gazelle's 
 
 Not brighter. Fiery-eyed, red glaring, keen 705 
 
 For blood, the yellow Ferret pale ; now quenched 
 
 Its wonted ever kindled appetite. 
 
 — The small Eacoon, a bounding animal. 
 
 At home on plain, or tree ; him ocean oft 
 
 O'erwhelms at flow of tide, found on the shore 710 
 
 In quest of shell-flsh, by the oyster quick 
 
 His foot enclosed, and prisoned to the spot : 
 
 Now, with the rest, in happy freedom grouped. 
 
 Obedient to Elihu's voice divine. 
 
 — Attended thus, Ham, and EHhu rode, 715 
 
 Right through the gates of Enos — and within 
 
 The streets of that great city wend along. 
 
HAM, AND ELIHTJ. 
 
 187 
 
 "Wonderous array, but tar more wonderous still 
 The imwondermg apathy of gazing crowds. 
 — In knots of disputants, the Citizens 720 
 
 Were grouped, engaged on argument too great 
 To spare attention, though by greatest sight 
 The world might witness wooed. A race they were 
 Of meagre artizans, mechanic slaves, 
 
 Whose boast of old grew that the common weal 725 
 
 By them was built, and nourished ; authours sole 
 Of riches they, producers of the com. 
 The oU, the clothing, and conveniences. 
 The luxuries which stablish social life ; 
 And right it was that who created thus, 730 
 
 They should distribute wealth. High glee was theirs, 
 When Tubalcain, with fair Naamah vain. 
 His sister, and his spouse, held o'er the realm 
 Dominion. Willing, to her various lusts 
 Stem Tubalcain the wed Naamah left, 735 
 
 And bent to state economy his mind — 
 Skilful or to commence, or to promote 
 Invention, manufacture, and supply. 
 
 Labour he urged, and diligence he loved. 
 And whoso would of him employment found, 740 
 
 And what they made he kept in public store. 
 And sold to who could purchase. Thus became 
 Great Tubalcain of human industry 
 Proprietor, and lord ; and, for exchange. 
 Had vnth his superscription metal stamped 745 
 
 For current coin, whence lust of lucre grew. 
 Boot of aU evil. Soon he made decree. 
 That none should weave, or knit ; or sew, or shape 
 Sandal, or raiment, save of stuff supplied 
 From out his storehouse, to be then returned, 750 
 
 And wages paid for labour, whence again 
 At a taxed price, and with a duty-mark, 
 'Twas issued to the buyer. Thus was he 
 
188 THE PEEPARATION. 
 
 A princely merctant, a mecliaiiio king ; 
 
 Nov manji wanting were, who saw, in such 755 
 
 Confusion of all orders blent in one, 
 
 A loved equality of man with ijian, 
 
 And knew not aU were masters thus, or slaves : 
 
 Bound by no generous, but by sordid lints 
 
 Of commerce, that the finer feelings blunts, 760 
 
 If gain alone be sought. Soon, like a blight, 
 
 G-old withered happiness ; and thus it proved 
 
 Pood of digestion hard to body, or soul. 
 
 Both in the city, and the lands about 
 
 Of Enos, and of Naid. Awhile, appeared 765 
 
 Prosperity to smile, and plain it was, 
 
 Both court, and courtiers — if so caUed might be 
 
 Either, that fitlier were from stithy named. 
 
 Mart, or exchange, and chapmen — flourished well. 
 
 Par countries, in their produce, dealt with them, 770 
 
 And took the clothing, with the corn, and oil. 
 
 At higher price, which might have been at home 
 
 Better consumed ; hence, mid abundance, lacked 
 
 The natives, working on in wretchedness — 
 
 Now misery cried loud, and would be heard ; 775 
 
 What then ? its wants invention must supply ; 
 
 And soon machines were reared, and engines built, 
 
 Of wonderous power, and structure intricate, 
 
 That might the needed lajiour substitute. 
 
 And infancy might tend. Now was no scant 780 
 
 Of produce, still the poor were very poor ; 
 
 Eaiment was wrought, but clothed not them ; and food 
 
 Went to aU markets, but it fed them not ; 
 
 And, worse, ere long, constructions first designed 
 
 To aid in labour superseded soon, 785 
 
 And to their other ills, next indolence. 
 
 The fruitful mother of pernicious moods, 
 
 Was added ; crime succeeded, murther last. 
 
 Personal, and judicial — ^horrid waste 
 
HAM, AlTD ELIHTJ. 189 
 
 Of human life, and human energy. 790 
 
 Meanwhile, the child was tasked from earliest morn 
 
 To latest eve, watching the processes 
 
 Of wheels, and chains ingenious, so to earn 
 
 A pittance for its parents ; urged to toil 
 
 Excessive by the force of blows, and dying, 795 
 
 Even hour by hour, as standiug at its work — 
 
 A constant martyj'dom, but soon to end. 
 
 Since age mature, of man or womanhood, 
 
 Seldom attained, the grave quick closed on grief. 
 
 And shut the murthered infant safely up 800 
 
 From the oppressor, in the house of hope. 
 
 Meantime, for them whose hands could find no work, 
 
 Idle perforce, no means were found to give 
 
 Knowledge that might the spirit cultivate, 
 
 And rear a class that should, with moral power, 805 
 
 "Wiu for instruction of the citizen 
 
 The means of life, reaping of temporal things 
 
 Guerdon for spiritual, imparted free ; — 
 
 But rather by their rulers were they taught 
 
 To scorn religious ministry, and glow 810 
 
 "With hate 'gainst Eden's patriarchy, and seek 
 
 In war provision, peace gave not for life. 
 
 — Hence, were the populace disputing now. 
 
 How to assail the Mount of Paradise, 
 
 And find an end, unreasoning, of their ills, 815 
 
 By seizing that Palladium of the Earth 
 
 For their possession : holding like a charm. 
 
 Whence plenty might, in some mysterious way. 
 
 Accrue to wisdom, and to foUy both. 
 
 And vice might revel on the gifts of heaven. 820 
 
 And many a form had Hherem there assumed, 
 
 "With Satan, and Azaziel, to inflame 
 
 The imbruted mind with passions fiercely wild. 
 On— on Ham and Elihu passed — on — on. 
 
 Even to the palace gates. The menials, there, 825 
 
190 THJE PEEPAEATION. 
 
 At them, and at their retinue, awhile 
 
 Gazed with brief admiration, and went in 
 
 To Tubalcain, Naamah, and their court, 
 
 To tell them of a miracle. Aloud 
 
 Then laughed the royal pair, incurious they 830 
 
 Of aught beyond the circle of their aims. 
 
 And unbelieving. So forth of the town, 
 
 Into the fields and forests, hasted on. 
 
 Ham, and Elihu, on their mission bent. 
 
 — Thence took they bird, and beast. There, at thy voice 
 
 Divine, Elihu, following, obeyed 836 
 
 The Ibex, long of horn and numerous. 
 
 According to his years ; his burthened head. 
 
 Though brief, is bearded, wanderer of Alps, 
 
 And dweller on their summits : the small Eoe, 840 
 
 The Eoe, though small yet strong, and great in craft. 
 
 Baffling the hound, and cheating of his scent, 
 
 As skilled to fly as he is to pursue : — 
 
 The Tapir of the wilderness, lone brute, 
 
 In far seclusion, buried in the depth 845 
 
 Of forest solitudes, veiled not alone 
 
 From man's intrusion, but the fellowship 
 
 Of his own kind ; — him doth the hunter woo 
 
 By imitative whistle, sharp, and shriU, 
 
 Like to his own, then twangs the poisoned shaft, 850 
 
 And the poor beast is hit ; but better fares, 
 
 Obstructed on his passage to the stream 
 
 By race canine ; there, standing, he resists 
 
 Their worrying, and them, seizing by the necks, 
 
 Whirls to afar, not free from loss of flesh. 855 
 
 Now social came the Tapirs, and with them 
 
 The Peccaries, a tusky swinish tribe, 
 
 Collared, or else white-lipped, a forest-race, 
 
 In pairs, and families discovered one. 
 
 The other banded in a numerous troop ; 800 
 
 Fording with care the current broad, and swift. 
 
HAM, AND ELIUTJ. 191 
 
 And from the opposing bank still forthright on, 
 
 They hold their way destructive, scathing aU 
 
 The planter's hopes ; now guiltless, with the Boar, 
 
 Came they — or wild, or civilized, brave brute, 865 
 
 Though gluttonous ; and the foul Eog, and Sow, 
 
 That to her vomit evermore returns, 
 
 Submissive now to law of purer strain. 
 
 But vain it were to paint the miracle 
 In verbal hues, and to express the train 870 
 
 Of creatures that there walked, or leaped, or flew. 
 The Birds, the glorious Birds, that made the air 
 As glorious in their flight, or decked the earth 
 With ornament of plumage numerous. 
 The spurless, but not crestlesa Curassow, 875 
 
 The galeated and the razor-billed, 
 The rufous and globose — the Peury, too. 
 The clamourous Guan, with the lady Crane, 
 The Crowned, and the Crex, and Trumpeter, 
 The Heron, cleft of biU ; the Bittern, raised ; 8S0 
 
 The Spoonbill, and the Ibis ; while the Stork, 
 Both white, and black, foremost with head, and neck. 
 Cleaved, large of wings, with legs reverted long, 
 Eapid the air, and matched the wild Curlews. 
 
 With these they left the region ; journeying, till 885 
 They reached the junction of the rivers, where 
 Elihu smote the riven waters straight. 
 With his prophetic mantle. On each side. 
 They parted like a wall, and in the midst 
 Ham, and Elihu passed, with all their train, 890 
 
 By power miraculous guided. Such their guard, 
 By day, and anxious night, till their return 
 To Eden's land ; then safely, in the Place 
 Of the First Man's Creation, sought they spot 
 For refuge ; and there found for them, and theirs ; 895 
 
 Ham, and Elihu ; with the bird, and beast, 
 Their gathering, according to the Word 
 
192 THE PEEPAEATION. 
 
 Of the Almighty, that into the Ark 
 
 Two of each liviag creature of all flesh, 
 
 Of every kind, there to preserve alive, 900 
 
 Both male, and female, clean, and the unclean. 
 
 Of fowl, and cattle, Noah should bring in, 
 
 And take to him of aU foo'd edible. 
 
 As food for him, and them. And such high charge, 
 
 Spite what since chanced, to Ham was trusted then : 905 
 
 And learn from this, although a Father's curse 
 
 Pursue the race of Ham, that there with them 
 
 The Angel of Compassion still abides. 
 
 With miracle from Nature to redeem, 
 
 Turning to Eden desart wilderness ; 910 
 
 Hence, shew them mercy ia your justest acts, 
 
 Then justest when most merciful they seem. 
 
 And greet the Brethren with a holy kiss. 
 
 END or SIXTH BOOK. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OE THE FLOOD- 
 
 fart tfie ©fitrft. 
 
 S A M I A S A. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 BOOK VII. TO IX. 
 
 VII. The people are again described as profaning the Sabbath with sport, and vio- 
 lence, thongh admonished as before to the contrary by Tamiel.— Ifoah sacrifices 
 on the tomb of Adam, in the midst of the people ; la smitten by the giant Uephadm, 
 whence tumxilt follows, soon however snbdned by Samiasa, who suddenly appears 
 upon the scene. Him Bnmel (an orator) charges, implicitly, with being a founder 
 of idolatry ; whereupon, taking shame to himself, Samiasa declares, in great agony, 
 the unity of the true God. The people disperse in awe. — VIII. To console his state 
 of mind, Koah reads to the monarch THE BOOK OF ENOCH, which relates the 
 origin of letters — the generation of Wisdom — and an account of the Creation, both 
 mythologicallyandpoetically stated. (An amalgam is here attempted of the Hebraic 
 and Grecian Gosmognies, with the results and principles of modem science and 
 philosophy.) The death, and obsequies of Adam. Seth's investiture with patriarch^ 
 dignity, — the Translation of Enoch, a Fsalm of Seth, the inscription on his two pil- 
 lars, and other miscellaneous matters, cocclnde the Book. IX. The Noachidie, and 
 Samiasa then proceed tc the city — entier the palace and visit the state apartments, 
 (in one of which, Amazarah, the mother of the hing, reclines in slumber,) and the 
 tenaple of the pyramis. Barkayal, the founder of the Pyramids— The Idol— Samiasa's 
 story of Adon (his deceased father) and the Sorceress, Amazarah, who, at a Cainite 
 festival, had declared, in her pride and beauty, that she would make the mui, 
 who had courage to woo her, the monarch of a city ; Adon, though of the line of 
 Seth, accepted the challenge, and, after the bridal, they travelled forth of the me- 
 tropolis of Enos, to found a new city in the desert of Dudael — Adon's remorse and 
 death — Samiasa's speculative genius — ^institution of divine honours to his father and 
 himself— His encounter vrith the priests in the Chamber of Beauty— The return of 
 his lycanthropy—Hia destruction of the Idol. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OE THE FLOOD. 
 
 The Lay op LILITH'S SON; Dbbamee or Dbeajis, 
 Seeb ov Visions, in the MoENnra Land. 
 
 To re-create the Past, and to create 
 Being, and Passion for its occupance. 
 Are mine. "What poet but might quail beneath 
 The solemn task ? "What eiceUenoe of thought, 
 "What strength of soul, it needs to wrestle well 5 
 
 "With the Antient of such far-off days obscure. 
 Though wounded in the conflict . . though my brain 
 Be with the effort in the end collapsed, 
 Dilated, till enfeebled, then o'erthrown . . 
 Tet I will on, until it be complete. 10 
 
 "What should I fear to lose for my theme's sake ? 
 Tea, the great globe is valueless, and Toid. 
 My country or the world may guerdon me — 
 So let, or let them not ; . . and to themselves 
 Be deathless shame, or honour on us both : 15 
 
 For Time discovers Truth ; and, where 'tis due, 
 The eternal meed of Fame, though late, confers. 
 
 "What hindereth, too, that in the world, beyond 
 The shadowy boundaries of maternal earth, 
 Our memories may survive, and residence 20 
 
 o 2 
 
196 BXOEDITJM. 
 
 Perpetual win ; forewarning new-create 
 
 Intelligence, experienced guides, and guards 
 
 From evil snare to godlite virtue high. 
 
 Aiding the soul by gradual, sure ascent. 
 
 To the Supreme ? Haply, the mighty noise, 25 
 
 Wherewith the visible heavens shall pass away, 
 
 May fail to silence Milton's trumpet-song : 
 
 Nor shall the wreck of elements dissolve 
 
 Even his of Eome ; though, to the lyre attuned, 
 
 His strain be gentler, and the harmony 30 
 
 Of texture delicate, and, like the light 
 
 Of the pale moon, a reflex from the orb 
 
 Of bolder genius, Melisegenes. 
 
 And, though the sun be shattered from his sphere. 
 
 Turned to a chaos dark, and void ; that orb 35 
 
 Of moat heroic glory shall remain. 
 
 Kindling new Maroes in the world to come, 
 
 Surpassing even himself in the degree 
 
 That spirit body excels. The expanded sky, 
 
 "Wherein the angels have been wont to write 40 
 
 Their starry poesy for man to read, 
 
 ShaU be upfolded like a shrivelled scroll ; 
 
 Tet may the poesy of man endure. 
 
 And hallow the frail leaves of human wit. 
 
 — The firmament shall melt with fervent heat, 45 
 
 And the foundations of the earth dissolve 
 
 Into a molten sea, and aU depart 
 
 Into the liquid flame : heaven, and the stars, 
 
 "With sun, and moon, and all material things. 
 
 Tower, temple, palace, pyramid, and grove ; 50 
 
 How gorgeous in their unessential shew 
 
 Soever they appear, like shadows, they 
 
 Depart. But the Eternal Book, wherein 
 
 Poets, historians, patriarchs, registered 
 
 The Word of the Omnipotent, shall dwell 55 
 
 In its own consecrated destiny 
 
EXOEDITTM. 197 
 
 Secure. His Word shall never pass away : 
 
 But as the Prophecy of Enoch came, 
 
 Thorough the Mood, transmitted to late time, 
 
 In this diurnal, mutable sojourn, 60 
 
 And in the text of Jude existent still ; 
 
 So THAT the doom, and trial fiery 
 
 Shall bide, and come out thence, by proof divine. 
 
 The indubitable "Word of the Most High. 
 
 — Some say, archangel Michael shaU descend, 65 
 
 And, 'mid the fierce combustion, pluck it thence. 
 
 By hard assay approved, and glorified, 
 
 Victor sublime. In that eternal land 
 
 Of spirits undying, in the energy 
 
 Of being, shall aU things exist entire ; 70 
 
 Nor there in partial memory survive, 
 
 Or but in name, like Enoch's prophecy, 
 
 (In this uncertain transitory state, 
 
 Dim vaUey of the shadow of gaunt Death, 
 
 Sorrow, and wasting doubt,) tiU some bold hand 75 
 
 It rescue from the oblivious deep, and by 
 
 Pathetic commune with the living soul 
 
 Of the mysterious universe, revive 
 
 In his own spirit the revelation old. 
 
 Soul of fallen man, loot forth ; thine estridge thoughts 80 
 
 Have heavenward ta'en their flight, and built their nests, 
 
 Abiding nests on high. Thither reach mine. 
 
 And so absolve the adventurous task I dare. 
 
 Of young presumption, by success mature. 
 
 And give to hope the sanctity of faith, 85 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. 
 
 Meantime as one new-risen from the dead. 
 
 Unlike his former self, by friend and foe 
 
 Unrecognized, came Samiasa nigh 
 
 The City of his name — but from the wild 
 
 Not free'd, nor from his doom. Nor wduld he pass 5 
 
 Into the pubhc ways, though sternly urged 
 
 By Palal, who there left him for awhile, [ 
 
 Alone within the Desert. There he lay 
 
 Three days, a passive brute ; but on the fourth 
 
 He was arhungered, and fierce appetite 10 
 
 "With bestial rage stirred in him, and he scoured 
 
 The Wilderness for food. In fury thus, 
 
 A Lion crossed his path — on it he seized. 
 
 With more than giant might. Long time they strove 
 
 In mutual war, but the ferocious man 15 
 
 Was braver than the merely animal. 
 
 And him before the inferior creature quailed — 
 
 Even by the teeth asunder rent the jaws. 
 
 The noble Lion slain lay by his side ; 
 
 Anon, stript of its skin, a royal robe 20 
 
 Por him who slew it ; and of flesh deprived, 
 
 Its victor's royal meal. 
 
 Now, Sabbath brake. 
 And Samiasa saw what desperate feat 
 He had performed, but not with triumph felt ; 
 And earnestly resolved within his breast, 25 
 
 How to regain communion with his kind. 
 Not that he had not been beheld by man, 
 
THE TOMB OP ADAM. 199 
 
 But whoso saw him shrank from him in dread, 
 And he from them in shame, but proudly shewn. 
 
 And now rose Noah early, as was wont, 30 
 
 On Sabbath-morn, with Japhet, Shem, and Ham, 
 To duly visit Adam's sepulchre, 
 And warn the multitudes upon the plain 
 Assembled, not for worship but for sport ; 
 And ready found Zateel, and Tamiel come, 35 
 
 To bear them company, and aid the cause 
 Of piety. No loiterers they, yet were 
 The Youth, and Scribe arrested in their speed, 
 To gaze on Japhet's growing handiwork — 
 The yet unfinished Statue of the Seed 40 
 
 Who should the Serpent bruise — unfinished yet, 
 Yet all but finished, moulded to that point 
 Of execution, where alike begins 
 The Artist's .pleasure and the Admirer's both ; 
 Almost adorable, yet soniething left, 45 
 
 To shew the labour human, not divine. 
 
 Brief space for converse, none for censure now ; 
 Noah proceeded forth, and, on each hand. 
 The friendly train. With Tamiel was the Book 
 Of Enoch, and with Shem the yearling Lamb. 50 
 
 Along the vales they went ; between the hills ; 
 And into that mid vale, which opened wide 
 Upon the plain, and by the leafy way. 
 — ^Forthright into the -plain, they now immerge. 
 Emerging to the people. There, behold, 55 
 
 As on a continent the enormous throng. 
 Well knew they him. " Ho, ho ; — the Prophet comes — 
 The Ark-builder, and his Sons. Hence, ye profane." 
 The scorn of multitudes was in the air, 
 And every echo heard it loud, and long. 60 
 
 The noise of waters, when their demon howls 
 Eound some predestined bark, less than that din 
 
200 THE PBB ACHING OP NOAH. 
 
 Of multitudes, the universal din, 
 
 Which made heaven's vault to tremble, as with shout 
 
 Titaniam. Then surceased heroic spot. 65 
 
 Passed, fearless, on the faithful Man of God. 
 Before him nameless awe prepared the way ; 
 Awe, yet not holy, though of holiaess, 
 Mere superstition's awe : for souls embnite 
 By sin perceive with gross predicament 70 
 
 Aught spiritual, or sacred : Conscience blends 
 Extremes ; in better men the voice of God, . 
 In evU, but the memory, whereon 
 Fancy vrild shapes begetteth, as in dreams. 
 Such straights are theirs, who from all holy things 76 
 
 Alien the imwiUing ear and sceptic eye : 
 They see not, hear not ; yet must hear, and see. 
 That which the imagiaative mind of man. 
 And the indefatigable faculties, 
 
 Create ; — then whatsoever is not, is. 80 
 
 O'ersceptic ever is o'ercredulous. 
 
 Passed, fearless, on the faithful Man of God: 
 Followed, in pairs, Japhet with Shem, and Ham 
 With Tamiel. This was all the preacher's train ; 
 Strong in himself, and with his virtues graced. 85 
 
 r th' centre of the plain, the Sepulchre 
 Of the First Man, a pile of unhevim stone, 
 Stood eminent : the Columns of his Son, 
 Inscribed with old traditions true, beside ; 
 By their ancestral founder meant to speak, 90 
 
 Ay, of the grave, and of the world beyond. 
 
 There Voices had been heard, and Visions seen, 
 By holy men ; thence issued Oracles 
 Of Death, Eternity, and Fate, and God. 
 — Now as a goal, the rivals in the race 95 
 
 Looked to them for the Crovm, afar. 
 
THE TOMB OF ADAM. 201 
 
 Arrived, 
 Noali the Altar-Tomb demands ; but Ham, 
 Proud of Ms Father's patriarchal sway. 
 Did with no gentle voice rebuke the crowd, 
 Did with no gentle hand oppose the press. 100 
 
 ' I preach of Peace, and Truth hath its own power ; 
 No might of man it needs, his anger less ; 
 Porbear, my son,' said Noah. Calm he stood, 
 And quiet in his greatness ; then surveyed 
 The populous scene. 
 
 Prequent, and full the tents ; 106 
 Plenteous the boards, and manifold ; with feast 
 Burthened, and overflowed with wine, and oil : 
 Copious were the libations . . Bacchus reigned, 
 And Mirth allied to Madness. Morning saw 
 The grape's blood, evening that of man, outpoured. 110 
 — Nor wonder : sanguine were his festivals. 
 
 For him Beast shed, in rampant sport, the blood 
 Of beast. Encaged were they on that wide field. 
 And kept apart awhile, awaiting war 
 
 "With hunger stem. But now, they lifb the doors 115 
 
 The Cells dividing ; and, with rush, and bound, 
 Tiger, and Bear, Leopard, and Buffalo 
 Are huddled in the midst. 
 
 At once, his horns 
 The furious Bull plied on the sluggish Bear, 
 And tossed him to the roof. Then, on him sprang 120 
 The Tiger, and his dewlap tugged away ; 
 But not himself un wounded, for his head 
 Was gashed, and ran with gore. 
 
 The Leopard slunk 
 From conflict — but not long. For now the stage 
 "Was entered by Ehinoceros, and on 125 
 
 The spotted animal he came in wrath. 
 And roused him to the fight. Anon, in death 
 The lovely lay. 
 
202 THE PEEACHING 01' NOAH. 
 
 Then with the many-hoilied 
 The single 'gan to strive : fight terrible 
 And horrid : but, with many instruments, 130 
 
 Choice meets confusion oft ; while, but with one, 
 One simple aim drives straight to its effect. 
 
 Next, the large Elephants were armed against 
 Each other — on a sandy islet placed. 
 Making the middle of an ample lake. 135 
 
 Driven by their Eiders, with a mighty shock 
 They intermingled, their probosces twined 
 "With violent repulsion ; till the Brute, 
 Wiser than man who him abuses so. 
 
 His adversary's strength confessed, and turned 140 
 
 Pljdng, not unpursued, nor unannoyed. 
 Attacked in rear. Nor further harm had come, 
 But that on them fierce Tigers were let loose ; 
 And various deaths, with fury, rage, and blood, 
 Made glad the feasting heart of gazing man. 145 
 
 What wonder, then, at last the feasters bled ? 
 Nay — not the blood of Beasts alone — but Man's, 
 His blood flowed with each wine-cup. Men were slain 
 For sport. There gladiator Giants strove ; 
 Strength in each nerve sublimely agonized ; 150 
 
 Dilated every muscle, and artery. 
 Into the majesty of human might ; 
 Defiance in their attitudes, and loured 
 Courage upon their brows. How beautiful 
 The human form in extreme energy . . 155 
 
 Soul was in every lineament, and limb : 
 Fiercely they died. Their spirits went abroad. 
 Inflamed congenial souls^ already inflamed 
 With banqueting ; whence they in heat arose, 
 Flown with pride, insolence, or vanity, 160 
 
 With madness more than all, and feU in broil. 
 
 Away the prophet turned his sickened eye, 
 
THE SACBIPICE. 
 
 203 
 
 And looked into the East ; and, in the far 
 
 Horizon, snm of all the prospect, saw 
 
 The Mount of Paradise. The Cherubim 165 
 
 StiU. waved the excluding brand of angry flame 
 
 Above, around the place once fortimate, 
 
 Where bloomed the Tree of Lives, a fiery guard ; 
 
 A living miracle, and constant sign ; 
 
 A caution manifest, and visible ; 170 
 
 The presence of God's vengeance, to warn man, 
 
 If aught might warn, of sin, and truth persuade : 
 
 Of more especial note, an^ greater power. 
 
 Than if the bourn of death had been repassed, 
 
 Por a returning spirit to conviace. 175 
 
 — Nor this alone : — ^but on the hUl-side too. 
 
 Arose the appointed Ark, the Deluge-ship, 
 
 Por which the axe had long the forest shorn ; 
 
 Birds with its terrour seared from their retreat. 
 
 And beasts the violated woods expelled : 180 
 
 The labour of a century ; and yet 
 
 So vast a wonder, though a work of time. 
 
 Of such endurance, who beheld it, deemed 
 
 That nothing less than miracle performed 
 
 Strange fabric so capacious, yet so strong. 185 
 
 And in the sight of all the people there, 
 Did Noah lift his hand toward Eden gate. 
 And bade men look upon the present God. 
 — Shem slew the yearling lamb, and straight disposed 
 The sacrifice upon that Altar-Tomb : 190 
 
 Then Noah bowed his face before the Lord. 
 
 II. 
 
 Before the Lord, beside that Altar-Tomb, 
 The Sons of Noah, with the Scribe, erect, 
 Each in his mantle hid his countenance, 
 And worshipped in his heart. A rushing sound 195 
 
204 THE PEBACHING OT NOAH. 
 
 Aloft, as of wings rustling, stirred the air. 
 
 The Spirit touched the offering, and consumed ; 
 
 Then to its native heaven the flame returned. 
 
 So potent, and so piercing was the flame ; 
 
 The bones of Adam kindled in the grave, 200 
 
 And in the corse the pulse heaved with half life : 
 
 But chiefly on the humble heart's deep shrine 
 
 The flame descended ; and the Preacher's heart 
 
 Pelt the pervading presence ; and he rose. 
 
 ' He hath not left us yet . . the Comforter . . 205 
 
 He heareth yet man's prayer, and answereth. 
 — How like is man unto this altar-tomb . 
 This fleshly pile is but a sepulchre. 
 Where the soul sleeps, ere the afiectionate wiU 
 Bow down, and offer up the human heart, 210 
 
 The heart, and aU its faculties to God — 
 A sacrifice devout. The vital spark. 
 Then, sends He forth in whom life's issues are, 
 And kindles man into a holy life. 
 
 Whose issues in good words, and works restored, 215 
 
 Human becomes divine — Man walks with G-od, 
 As Enoch once on earth, in Eden now. 
 — ^And walk ye thus, ye sons of God, and men ? 
 Walk ye as man with man, even ? On the soil 
 Te trail your slime ; and taint, and crush the flowers 220 
 That deck the bosom of your mother — Earth. 
 Te soar not ; ye aspire not : ye trace not 
 Tour lineage from on high ; and, strong in soul. 
 Claim fellowship with angels as your right ; 
 But ask a brotherhood of worms, and caU 225 
 
 The grovelling reptile, sister. Te restrain 
 Within its fleshly nook the spirit of man, 
 Tame her ambition down to appetite, 
 Tben quarrel for a sty. Therefore, from you 
 The insulted angels have gone back to heaven, 230 
 
THE SAOEIFIOE. 205 
 
 To talk with Wisdom, and commune with God. 
 
 They hold no converse with corporeal sense : 
 
 Of other strain are they ; and so is man. 
 
 — Behold, I speak a proverb . . dust to dust . . 
 
 Of dust ye are, to dust ye do return — 235 
 
 Tour souls are ashes ; not one ember left, 
 
 My breath may kindle. Oh, the breath of God 
 
 Is extinct in the life of man. Hear, heaven : 
 
 Earth, wonder. There Death bideth — Death-in-Life 
 
 Walks, a day spectre, in the sun's broad beams, 240 
 
 TiU cold obstruction melt his fetters off. 
 
 And rank corruption in God's nostrils reek. 
 
 — Bow down the knee : lie prostrate in the dust : 
 
 Thou earnest out thence ; it dipt thee like a womb. 
 
 Eemit thee to thy native quarry — man. 245 
 
 Thy spirit is gone forth. Bow down, and wait 
 
 Till God reanimate thy sluggard clay. 
 
 And make thee what thou wert . . a living soul. 
 
 — The Sculptour, aembling his own form extern, 
 
 Maketh a thing of beauty unto sight ; 250 
 
 Tet though he carve a mind upon the brow. 
 
 It wants not only Ufe's variety. 
 
 But life. The mighty Artist of the sky 
 
 Stamped his own image on the soul of man. 
 
 Himself a living spirit, bade him Hve. 255 
 
 Keep ye his image whole ? keep ye it iu 
 
 The beauty of holiness 'twas shadowed from ? 
 
 No ; ye defile it, mutilate, destroy. 
 
 Oh, right : oh, truth : oh, peace : oh, liberty. 
 
 —Hear me, Enoch. Waft aside the flames, 260 
 
 That veil thy being from us ; and descend. 
 
 In glory visible ; and call aloud, 
 
 That man may hear, and be convinced, and Hve. 
 
 Tet why should man disturb thy holy rest 
 
 Thy Sabbath is eternal. Tet thou speakest. 265 
 
 Thou dwellest still with us. Thy Testament 
 
206 THE PHEACHING OE NOAH. 
 
 Survives. This Book endures ;~ rich legacy, 
 
 Memorial wake of thy departure hence ; 
 
 Who wast not ; for God took thee to himself. 
 
 — Believe, oh, man ; and Uve. The Day — ^the Day 270 
 
 Cometh — ^the morning goeth forth : for pride 
 
 Hath budded ; violence, and evU earth 
 
 Do fiU. But Judgement cometh, and an End. 
 
 The End is come. It watcheth for thee. Lo : 
 
 The Day of trouble, and destruction ; not 275 
 
 The foundiug of the hiUs, but their uprending, 
 
 Darkles the jealous heaven, from east to west. 
 
 Silence shall brood, at eve, o'er Nature's heart, 
 
 An iacubus on a forgotten grave : 
 
 Eepent ye — ' 
 
 More the man of G-od had said ; 280 
 
 But, then, advanced the Eephaim, giant-twins ; 
 Strong, as the oak ; and, as the cedar, taU ; 
 Valiant, as eagles ; headlong, as a flood. 
 Strange brood of discord. — Could essential heaven 
 Plend with embracement earthly, spawning forth, 285 
 
 As from the slime impregned with summer's sun, 
 Monsters forbid, whence mind idolatrous 
 Its gross imagiuings might incarnate ; 
 Abortive, and abominable births 
 
 Of spirit on sense begot ; till spirit become .290 
 
 Degraded unto what it blends withal ; 
 "Which its capacious vision might have raised 
 Unto the High, and Holy One, who doth 
 Dwell ia his own eternal energy, 
 
 Tet deign to shrine him in the contrite soul ? 295 
 
 — Born in one hour, doubling the labour-pang ; 
 With iron courage them their mother bore. 
 Stern daughter of thfe stern, seed of the strong : 
 With amazonian scorn, the bitterness. 
 Though as of death, yea, and of death, she 'sdained; 300 
 And, when her travail was o'erpast, had joy 
 
THE SACEITICE. 
 
 207 
 
 More than a mother's— her own dauntless joy, 
 A victor's or a stoic's over pain. 
 
 As she was wandering from the wanderer's laud, 
 On quest of booty, in the robber's trade ; 305 
 
 With rival anguish from her iron womb, 
 'Twas in a cavern wild, they rent their way. 
 Wherein she refuge sought with savage beasts 
 TJnterrified ; for with their nature hers 
 Held sympathy. Hysena, there, was lodged, 310 
 
 With Elephant, and Hippopotamus, 
 And Unicom ; war each with other waged. 
 And of the conquered still the victor made 
 His eager meal ; no fear yet touched that heart 
 Incapable of trembling. There she lay, 315 
 
 And the wise Elephant more feeling shewed, 
 Than she acknowledged. On her state forlorn 
 The meditative brute compassion took. 
 Admonished well by nature ; shielding her. 
 And with her sharing his diurnal food, 320 
 
 Till with the giant-twins she travelled forth. 
 
 Worthy was she of Cain's intrepid line, 
 Her ancestor. Of mingled stock derived 
 Was their bad sire ; the unseemly fruit of one 
 Of Seth's degenerate, and apostate sons 325 
 
 With a fair atheist of the murtherer's race ; 
 Hence, rather in their veins lascivious blood 
 Than purer stream might revel ; purer once. 
 Now worse pollute, I ween : entire in guilt, 
 Kedemptionless, and lost in loss itself, 330 
 
 Without what natural grace to that might cleave, 
 Maugre its kpse from God's supernal grace. 
 Whence Nature's is : lost unto both ; abandoned 
 tJnto the powers of evil utterly. 
 
 — Fierce they advanced, and seemed as they might claim 335 
 Lineage, (if not the origin to be,) 
 Of whom the old poets fabled ; the huge sons 
 
208 THE PEEAOHIlfG OF NOAH. 
 
 Of Ouranus and Telia, in whose womb 
 
 They grew to godhood, and brake prison thence, 
 
 Armed for rebellion 'gainst the Ancestral Power. 340 
 
 Urged by the fiend within them, and the hell ; 
 Purious they came, and raised the loud long shout, 
 At once derision, and defiance : proud 
 Of strength, and bulk, and confident in bone. 
 Prom mere disdain they smote the man of God, 345 
 
 He should more force to reason yield than might, 
 And deem with words religious to subdue. 
 
 III. 
 
 Noah was silent, not from wrath, but ruth ; 
 With pity scorn, with patience spite repaid. 
 Before him leaped his Sons. Then tumult rose, 350 
 
 Loud clamour, and the cry of blood. Blood flowed. 
 More had been shed ; but, on the mountain-skirts 
 Of that apparent continent, silence crept, 
 And awe increased. 
 
 'Twas the habitual hush 
 Wherewith mysterious horrour cowed their souls, 355 
 
 Whene'er that Presence on their wonder came. 
 Who entered now ; with slow, and solemn step, 
 And uncompanioned in his greatness. On 
 He came. Wild his array : a lion's hide 
 Hung o'er his shoulders broad, and on his breast 360 
 
 Down flowed the shagged mane ; the face-skin frowned, 
 HoUows for eyes, the maw without a tooth. 
 And terrible in its deficiencies. 
 Bare was his knee, and hairy all the leg, 
 And every limb enlarged, and clothed with hair. 365 
 
 — Look not upon his coimtenance : ye must ; 
 But dare not look again, although ye would. 
 That gaze is savage, and each lineament ; 
 Tet, in their madness, undefined command 
 
ZATEEL AND SAMIASA. 209 
 
 Of no barbarian grace is eloquent. 370 
 
 A memory lingered there of loftier days. 
 
 Haunting, with shadowy gleam, his brow's proud curve ; 
 
 Till grew his aspect spectral, and his eye 
 
 Flashed fitfully, even as a paly ghost 
 
 Flitting athwart a place of sepulchres ; 375 
 
 Or underneath a once triumphal arch, 
 
 A ruin now loved by the shades of eld. 
 
 — Profuse, his locks, like a wild horse's mane. 
 
 Free of the winds, compact of massy curls. 
 
 Shaded his ears with ringlets dusk as night, 380 
 
 And with his beard fantastic circlets blent. 
 
 Like a vine flourishing m a wilderness. 
 
 Hanging its tendrils loose on thorny brake. 
 
 And briary underwood — so bearded he. 
 
 Where his large forehead loured, his ample locks 385 
 
 Disparted ; and upcoiled, like serpents, back 
 
 From eyebrows huge, that, Kke two promontories. 
 
 Horrid with crag, suspense, the flashing orbs 
 
 Encaved. Now, like a blasted oak, or tower 
 
 Magnificent, scathed by heaven's lightning shaft, 390 
 
 He stood. Atlas he seemed, groaning beneath 
 
 The universal weight, a world of woe, 
 
 A penal universe, and he condemned 
 
 To the aye-dnring burthen for his sins ; 
 
 A penance, but magnanimously borne. 395 
 
 Of all that throng, but One might look on him ; 
 And he in admiration, how intense, 
 Gazed, sword-supported ; beautiful in youth ; 
 The attraction of all eyes. Amazement strange 
 Guided fond vision to that monument, 400 
 
 More perfect in such quiet attitude 
 Than ever statue was ; and recognized 
 The valourous Boy who rushed into the fray, 
 A timely aid to Noah, and his Sons, 
 Oppressed by numbers. Of the giant-twins, 405 
 
210 THE PEEACHING OF NOAH. 
 
 One had on Tamiel seized, and from his grasp 
 Essayed to wrench the Book. The youth, Zateel, 
 Did wound the robber hand ; did save from death 
 The weaponless, and undefended scribe ; 
 And from the impious, and profane destroyer, 410 
 
 Rescued the sacred tome. Then gradual stole 
 That hush of horrour toward him, and his ear 
 Soon caught his neighbour's whisper — ' 'Tis the king 
 Of streams, 'tis Samiasa' — for among 
 
 The crowd was Palal ; and by him the name 415 
 
 Was uttered to Zateel. Anon, declined 
 Sudden his sword ; and fixed its point in earth. 
 In graceful admiration on its hilt ^ 
 He leaned, and thus intently watched advance 
 The Monarch Maniac with emotion deep. 420 
 
 Deep in that pause his meditations were ; 
 On the Thing's lips expectant stUl he gazed, 
 Breathless. He knew how eloquent they were. 
 Once, when they spake, were sages wont to blush. 
 And pause for answer. Nor less potent now. 425 
 
 And much he trembled, when these words he heard. 
 ' WeU done, young man : preserve, Zateel, for aye. 
 The Scripture that aye-present doth preserve 
 The God of gods to, memory. I forgot 
 Him once, who to remember him had cause. 430 
 
 The Spirit which deified me was from Him, 
 "Whom I rejected, and straightway became 
 A Grod-abandoned man, unto himself 
 Abandoned, and that self-sufficient strength 
 Whence he presumed, but which on trial failed, 435 
 
 And ever must. Hearken, ye fond of strength. 
 Who have disturbed my oraisons — (ye might 
 Have worshipped with me.) — Mark yon hill's proud crest ; 
 'Tis obvious to the mount of Paradise, 
 And to the glorious vision there displayed, 440 
 
 Glorious in terrour. There, it is my wont, 
 
ZATEEL AND SAMlASA. 211 
 
 'Scaped from the Desart and the Fiend, to come, 
 
 Even with the day-spring of the sabbath morn, 
 
 And look on Eden, and its fiery guard. 
 
 And watch for the uprising of the sun, 445 
 
 The kindling of the hiUs whence goeth he, 
 
 Eresh as a racer anxious for the crown — 
 
 How bright, how high. Of all created things 
 
 Ton ardour is most like a deity. 
 
 Shall dim, and puny man, then, call his soul 450 
 
 The standard of perfection, and contemn, 
 
 Vain of his own originality. 
 
 His Maker's image, and invent a new. 
 
 Better, or worse, he recks not ? Only He 
 
 Who made him what he is, can make him more. 455 
 
 — Man's semblance is Death's shadow ; for his soul 
 
 Is murtherous, abject, cruel, and corrupt. 
 
 Witness, ye heroes. Ye do well to boast 
 
 Of thews, and sinews ; and in force of limb 
 
 Triumph, and in the courage of your hearts : 460 
 
 Impulse, though blind, hath joy, which ye obey. 
 
 And is derived divinely. 'Tis heaven's life 
 
 Abused, meant to beget new Ufe, and deeds. 
 
 Wherein heaven-guided piety might trace 
 
 Symbol humane of Origin divine. 465 
 
 By you Death conquers ; life, crushed in the germ. 
 
 Limps, issueless — foredone. The human form 
 
 Erect . . divine . . lies prostrate, lies defaced. 
 
 Approach it . . lo, the fragrance, and the flower 
 
 Have left the withered stalk, and barren stem. 470 
 
 Of its once comeliness no grace remains ; 
 
 Its strength is weakness, and its glory shame. 
 
 There is no beauty, excellence, in death. 
 
 The eye . . term it the presence of the mind . . 
 
 Is aU-extinguished. Things that it perceived, 475 
 
 Phantasm, or substance, shadowy qualities. 
 
 Visions that Eancy made her own, and built 
 
 p 2 
 
212 THE PEEAOHIlfG OF NOAH. 
 
 A gorgeous world thereof; her world, and this, 
 
 Into inanimate gloom they fade away. 
 
 This erst was her dominion . . her's, and man's. 480 
 
 Now narrow is his dwelling ; dark, and lorn ; 
 
 "Within a populous, yet silent land : 
 
 He dwells alone within a quiet house, 
 
 Alone, yet crowded in hia solitude. 
 
 No moon, nor sun may visit it. Within 485 
 
 A desolate, and dreary realm it lies ; 
 
 The realm of winter. Silence, and the night 
 
 Only inhabit there. Heaven-moulded form 
 
 Eeturns to Chaos. Blood cries from the ground. 
 
 — Witness, ye rulers of the fettered earth : 490 
 
 Te do well also. Triumph in your crowns, 
 
 Tour sceptres ; those of thorn, of iron these : 
 
 Te conquer, then enslave, Man's attitude. 
 
 Lost unto freedom, and in soul abashed. 
 
 Vails its bold front, and crouches at your feet, 495 
 
 As ye were gods. Children of men, be warned. ; 
 
 Lo, ye, worse slavery, enchain yourselves ; 
 
 Tour passions labour at the tyrant's forge, 
 
 And mould the links of avarice, and lust. 
 
 — Witness, ye elements : and testify, 500 
 
 Te worshippers of earth. To Grod alone 
 
 Do homage. Dost thou bow the coward knee 
 
 To power ? Is power divine ? Why yield it, man ? 
 
 One boasts the attribute, and many quaU ; 
 
 Straightway, a demigod is he ; yet him 505 
 
 The thunder daunteth. Te succumb to fear, 
 
 And make out of your fear a deity. 
 
 So, when the tempest doth pass by, ye see 
 
 A demon in its blackness, hear a fiend 
 
 In its loud roar ; and cry them mercy. Te 510 
 
 Have power, had ye knowledge, o'er the winds ; 
 
 Nay, all the elements were slaves to you. 
 
 And would perform your bidding, were ye brave. 
 
EUMBL. 213 
 
 Were but your virtue adequate to dare, 
 
 Te might restore the never-changing spring 515 
 
 Of Paradise ; and win companionship 
 
 "With angels, as of old ; and satisfy 
 
 The craving soul with everlasting truth : 
 
 And thus, indeed, become like unto G-od ; 
 
 Knowing all things, and ruling all, by love. 520 
 
 — But now ye conquer, and are conquered : now, 
 
 Hark — the poor man, and feeble testifies 
 
 'Gainst your oppression; while G-od listeneth, 
 
 Tea, while Jehovah listeneth, to avenge. 
 
 For her right sceptre Equity hath lost, 525 
 
 (In whom God's Image is the most express,) 
 
 And unto gods, which are no gods, ye pay 
 
 What is not due, from wantonness of will : 
 
 But Him, the True, and Faithful, ye defraud 
 
 Of due obedience, gratitude, and love. 530 
 
 His sabbaths ye reject, his wrath despise.' 
 
 IV. 
 
 The Monarch ceased. Perth stept an Oratour, 
 Fluent, and pert ; armed with proof rhetoric 
 'Gainst truth, and reason; with bland sophistry. 
 To lull the one to acquiescent pause, 535 
 
 Silence the other, contemptuous, or abashed. 
 And thus even for a while o'er both prevail. 
 But they have their own hour, their own good time. 
 Sure victors ; and their conquests shall abide 
 Eternal in the heavens. God shall award 540 
 
 Their amaranthine wreath ; himself divulge 
 Their deathless fame through infinite expanse. 
 
 The voice of Samiasa had aroused 
 The torpid awe his presence did impose : 
 Thus will the sunny breeze of spring awake 545 
 
 The icy stream, until it gradual gush, 
 
214 THE PREACHIN9 OF NOAH. 
 
 As if again the Spirit o'er its face 
 
 Moved, as of old, o'er darkness, when the void 
 
 Of nature did conceive with life, and form. 
 
 Part lifted up their eyes, and dared his look, 650 
 
 And hurried breathing became audible, 
 
 Sound half afraid of its own entity. 
 
 Then from the press forth stept the Oratour : 
 
 Curious in phrase, and nice of attitude ; 
 
 His accents modulating, and his hand, 555 
 
 And features timing to the expressive turn, 
 
 The swelling cadence, and the solemn fall 
 
 Of his discourse elaborate ; but to the ear 
 
 Easy, and flowing, like a river's lapse. 
 
 With not a pebble to obstruct its step, 560 
 
 But for the music, as it gently glides 
 
 Unto the naiad's cells, in the calm depths 
 
 Of the unfathomable ocean. Thus : 
 
 ' Submissive to the shadow of thy power. 
 As to the substance once, to thee, O king, 565 
 
 Grant that thy servant, Eumel, may reply. 
 Think not I wrestle with thee for the crown 
 Of eloquence ; for who may strive with thee ? 
 And what am I ? ... thy sometime worshipper. 
 High on the throne of thine imperial state, 570 
 
 Too bright for earth, like a divinity. 
 Thou satest, exalted, . . One. The dazzled sight 
 Swam in thy presence ; therein pride was not : 
 Erect humanity forgot itself. 
 
 Bated a cubit of its stature ; yea, 575 
 
 In prostrate adoration kissed the dust. 
 A happy realm thy habitation was, 
 And in no earthly paradise thou dwelt. 
 Celestial fortunes thy companions were. 
 And they accompanied thy goings-forth, 580 
 
 And glory heralded thy comings-in ; 
 And thou wert perfect in thy majesty, 
 
KTTMIiL. 215 
 
 And in thy spirit thou werfc excellent ; 
 
 And thy dominion waa o'er shore, and sea ; 
 
 The limits of thine empire who could tell ? 585 
 
 The heaven scarce seemed to circumscrihe thy sway. 
 
 To thee the Founder of the pyramid, 
 
 The co-etemal rival of the sky, 
 
 The deep-hased column of the firmament, 
 
 Enslaved his mighty art, and huUt for thee. 690 
 
 And nations did adore within its gate. 
 
 Hero, and sage, youth, beauty, childhood, eld ; 
 
 And with the myriads who worshipped there. 
 
 Thy servant worshipped with a grateful heart, 
 
 And willing to thy service would retutn. 595 
 
 Thou didst look down from thy sublime repose. 
 
 And, from amid excessive glory, smile 
 
 Great approbation, and ennobling joy ; 
 
 And thine acceptance was far more than wealth. 
 
 Thy grace than treasure. Honour in thy hand, 600 
 
 And in thy voice abounded length of days. 
 
 Then they found favour in thy sight whom now 
 
 Thine anger doth rebuke. Wherefore art wroth ? 
 
 O thou, our king, and god. Wherein have we 
 
 So grievously offended, thou withdrawest 605 
 
 Into thy mystic nature's solitude. 
 
 And art not unto men for many days ? 
 
 Then, reincarnate in this strange disguise, 
 
 Comest forth, afflicting fancy with wild fear. 
 
 Speaking to us a language all unknown ; 610 
 
 Ah, how unlike the native dialect 
 
 Which made thy former days, and fortunate, 
 
 A fuU-orbed diapason of rich sounds.' 
 
 Deep then was Samiasa's agony. 
 He rent his hair in bitterness of soul, 616 
 
 And cast himself upon the impitying earth, 
 In more than phrenesy ; and there he sate. 
 Sublime in misery, and great in grief. 
 
216 THE PREACHING OF KOAH. 
 
 ' A god indeed ; look I not like a god, 
 A very god? This is my heaven. Behold 620 
 
 My cloudy throne ; this bare ground is my sky : 
 These locks my glory, and this skin the robe 
 Of majesty divine. Hero, and sage, 
 Monarchs of earth ; bow down, and worship here — 
 My hand grasps lightning. Hark— the thunder peals. 625 
 Earth's centre is my footstool. Thither plunge, 
 To do me homage ; as becomes a god 
 Of state like mine, exalted thus, so high ; 
 A deity so jealous, and so proud.— 
 
 Let gods themselves come to it, and adore. 630 
 
 There is no god but God. — No god but He 
 Who reigns in heaven. He is the God of Heaven, 
 And Earth. Jehovah, He is God alone. 
 
 And He shall break ia pieces mighty men. 
 
 When he ariseth to shake terribly 635 
 
 The earth ; . . then shall ye seek the rocky clefts, 
 
 And climb the ragged summits of the rocks, 
 
 Eor fear of him, and of his majesty. 
 
 All hands be faint, and each man's heart shall melt ; 
 
 !Por He shall come upon ye suddenly, 640 
 
 In the roar of many waters, and the rushing 
 
 Of many floods. Earth shall be drunk therewith ; 
 
 And reel, as if with wine. Jehovah, He 
 
 Is God — Jehovah, He is God alone. 
 
 He did create the heavens, and stretch them out ; 645 
 
 He spread forth earth, provides what cometh thence. 
 
 'Tis He who giveth breath to man thereon, 
 
 And spirit unto them who walk therein.' 
 Great fear fell on that multitude : abashed. 
 
 And silent, they retired ; and, one by one, 650 
 
 Sought each man out his dweUiag ; and, ere long. 
 
 On that immeasurable plain was left 
 
 None, but the King, and Noah, and his Sons. 
 ' Prophet, and prince, have pity on my sins ; 
 
EITMEL. 
 
 217 
 
 Pray to thy God for me :' . . the Monarch cried. 655 
 
 ' If I should pray, would he be merciful ?' — 
 
 ' Have we not daily instance ?' Noah said : 
 ' "Whence, but from mercy, are the wicked spared ? 
 And what am I, that in his sight I should 
 Find such abundant grace ? Have faith, and live.' 660 
 
 What Christian knows not, in the hour, and power 
 Of darkness, with what cheering influence 
 The light of truth beams on his troubled soul, 
 From Holy "Writ reflected, if aright 
 
 Eead in the spirit, and thus understood ? 665 
 
 Even the world's Saviour, in the agony 
 Of crucifixion sharp, such solace foimd ; 
 And in the psalmist's words exclaimed aloud, 
 ■TJnto the God who had forsaken him. — 
 
 "Will it not soothe torn Samiasa's soul, 670 
 
 To hear the Scripture read that Enoch wrote ? 
 So deems the kiug ; and, straightway, down they sate. 
 And at his bidding, then, the Man of God 
 Right audibly the Oracle iatoned. 
 The Bible of the "Worid before the Flood. 675 
 
 'Twas by the Tomb of Adam that they sate, 
 Against Seth's piUars, which about the place 
 "Were as a temple reared, and sacred made. 
 A grove of Piaes, wherein they were retired — 
 The sea-green Pines, laden with yellow fruit, 680 
 
 And both iu harmony vsdth Earth, and Heaven. 
 
 "Vans of the tempest ; do your thunders sleep ? 
 Spread ye abroad, like eagles' ; cleave the rocks, 
 And break the mountains to your might opposed. 
 Heave up ye earthquakes ; be ye heard, and felt ; 685 
 
 Shake ye the solid ground, and the great sea. 
 As with the throes of childbirth. — Element 
 Of Fire ; encircle, clip me iu with flame : 
 TiU I be like to you. — They have past by. 
 
218 THE PEEACHING OF NOAH. 
 
 Come Spirit of the Eternal, co-eterne ; 690 
 
 And of the daedal universe divine, 
 The choral soul, the prime intelligence. 
 Come Dove celestial ; who, with procreant wing, 
 Broodest o'er Hades ere that light became ; 
 Pervadest Nature's constant travail still ; 695 
 
 Impregnedst old prophets' hearts with wondrous seeds, 
 "Whose autumn time wiU gamer ; . . yea, whose power 
 O'ershadowed her whom generations bless — 
 The Virgin-Mother of the Holy Thing, 
 Messiah, Grod incarnate — uncreate. 700 
 
 Thou, with the Father, from eternity ; 
 And with the Son, adorable ; descend. 
 Essence of essence, into my shut mind ; 
 A stiU small voice, such as Elijah heard ; 
 Make it thy temple, there light up thy shrine, 705 
 
 Thine altar be my heart, and there dwell thou ; 
 That I may utter oracles aright. 
 Of old by Enoch written, scribe inspired. 
 
 END or SEVENTH EOOE!. 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 The "Words of Enoch, which the Patriarch wrote. 
 Ere he to heaven ascended visibly, 
 In letters taught by G-od, in love to man. 
 
 "Whoso would "Wisdom know, must learn her birth. 
 
 Never is Silence. Love with the Beloved 5 
 
 StiU communes, in the Spirit unereate : 
 Desire immortal for the Eternal One, 
 In One Immortal ; Substance Infinite, 
 In one Unchanging Form ; fruition, too. 
 Love, hid in light, self-mirroured, looks on Life ; 10 
 
 "When in the eyes of him on whom he looks. 
 Grows Likeness of his glory, and his grace ; 
 The Lovelike, and the Godlike : speaking, straight. 
 He names her, ' "Wisdom, the Beloved One ;' 15 
 
 — Whence she responds, ' O Truth, my spouse thou art :' — 
 Thus he replies, ' The Beautiful art thou.' 
 She, silent, then, in modesty submiss. 
 Bows to sublime perfection ; cheered, anon, 
 And shielded by the shadow of his power. 
 — Offspring to them are bom, fair progeny 20 
 
 Of intuition. Angel called, or Man ; 
 Exhaustless Plenitude, and boundless Love, 
 Whose everlasting Blessedness deUghts 
 In the eternal Lovelike ; of himself 
 
 The undecaying "Wisdom, indistinct, 25 
 
 Inseparate &om his essence ; and in her 
 Creates, anew, perpetual Beauty's self, ; 
 
220 THE BOOK OP ENOCH. 
 
 Of her the Image, as herself of him, 
 
 Both in his "Word summed up, the "Word iu them, 
 
 G-od all-in-all, and Man in his Idea, 30 
 
 The Lovelike object of creating Love. 
 
 One Being Man, of various characters, 
 
 Companion of the Angel, type to all 
 
 The hosts of heaven, well named the Sons of God, 
 
 As he to aU the sons of men on earth ; 35 
 
 Hence one eaUed Adonai, Heaven's Lord, 
 
 Pirst Adam, he, and second ; one, Lucifer, 
 
 Star of its morning, regent of its dawn. 
 
 To whom is given of Paradise the charge. 
 
 Never is SUence. The Eternal "Word 40 
 
 Bespeaks the Eternal Love for evermore. 
 ' As Thee I contemplate, so Man to me 
 Looks up, and by the ,Yision held, sees nought 
 Distinct, not even himself, and we but make 
 One age, one life, whereof each other flows.' 45 
 
 Hence are the Generations of the Heavens, 
 The Earths : such is the Principle unchanged. 
 Wherein subsists the changing Universe ; 
 The Mystery wherein AU Hves, and moves. 
 And hath its being ; One the Father — Love, 50 
 
 One Son, one Spirit, and the Wisdom one. 
 That springs from their communion, ever fair. 
 Ajid thus revolve the Days in that One Day 
 Eternal, wherein He — the Eirst, and Last — 
 Makes all the worlds, ere yet they roll in space, 55 
 
 And every plant, and herb, ere in the ground. 
 And Man, and sons of men, ere in the womb. 
 Ere space, seed, ground, or Man, or Woman is. 
 Such are the Words, and Works, and Days of God. 
 
 Increase, nor diminution suffering, 60 
 
 The sum of matter in the universe 
 Eemaias the same, each atom, force or power 
 Interdependent, needful to the whole ; 
 
THE STMBOIS. 221 
 
 No time could ever have been wanting one, 
 
 Else had at once entire Creation lapsed ; 65 
 
 Wherefore, Creation's act is simultane. 
 
 The Whole coeval with its sundry Parts ; 
 
 Presuming an Idea, wherein the Whole 
 
 Preceded them ; in whose perception Time 
 
 Has his beginning ; in whose interchange 70 
 
 Stormy, or calm, in progress, or at rest, 
 
 Not absolute. Time hath his history. 
 
 The Whole, withouten Parts, is the Eternal ; 
 
 The Parts, contained Creation. Know, the Point 
 
 That is without or depth, or length, or breadth, 75 
 
 Is God ; the prior Whole of substance, God : 
 
 And the Idea which contains the whole. 
 
 The Principle, Beginning absolute, 
 
 Eternity. Tet further to explain 
 
 What thy inquiry would demand, learn this : 80 
 
 " Withoutness" is the Bound extern ; as 'twere 
 
 The circles' sphere infolding its contents — 
 
 " Withness" is just the sum of its contents, 
 
 Short of the limit. To the Universe 
 
 Such bound, and limit is the Infinite ; 85 
 
 Such Infinite is God. Express it thus : 
 
 — In his Eternity, the Eternal One 
 
 Produces simultane his Universe, 
 
 And Infinitely bounds it ; Heavens, and Earths. 
 
 Or thus : — In his Beginning, the Divine 90 
 
 Quickens, initiates, and comprehends 
 
 AU other Being. Ask you, what is that 
 
 Beginning ? I reply — his self-beholding. 
 
 — Divine Intelligence, by an eterne 
 
 Self-contemplation, from his being throws 95 
 
 The Intelligible, as his act, his image — 
 
 An absolute whole — one Work, or wondrous World, 
 
 All works, and worlds including — one great Word, 
 
 Or Affirmation, aU the languages, 
 
222 THE BOOK OF ENOCH. 
 
 And modes of affirmation : whereupon 100 
 
 He looks for aye, wliereto lie ever lists. 
 
 Such act, the primal point in motion ; thus 
 
 Its proper space, and sphere describing ; grants 
 
 Enough to him who seeks such postulate, 
 
 Whereby to frame the Universe at will. 105 
 
 Whilst I was sitting lonely in my tent. 
 Chewing the cud of thoughts abstruse as these. 
 Thoughts of our Father, Adam, thronged my mind. 
 And, ah, the deamess of his memory 
 
 Is very tender-, how intense the love 110 
 
 Wherewith on it we dweU. ' Tet death,' said I, 
 ' Will make the loving mute, like the beloved. 
 Their forms, indeed, in lasting marble dure. 
 Or live awhile in colour ; but their words 
 Die mostly with articulated air. 115 
 
 How few survive in signs — that want the flow 
 Of rapid speech, the continuity 
 Of sequent eloquence, of which they give 
 The meaning scarce, expression not at all — 
 Figures of things, and creatures visible, 120 
 
 By the peruser self-interpreted. 
 And love, and duty may wax cold in most. 
 As they have soon in many ; and the lips 
 Of witnesses reluctantly repeat 
 
 The things that once they knew : and, at the best, 125 
 
 They mingle minds, and feelings in the tale. 
 that a record might be found, which, like 
 The stars, might shine unaltered ; like a moon, 
 Eeflect the shadow of each absent sun.' 
 — Then on the Altar buUt by Seth I looked ; 130 
 
 And on the holy Symbols there engraved. 
 The Sun, and Moon, and girdle of the Stars ; 
 On Eve, and Adam, on those mystic Trees 
 Twined with the Serpent, and that Form Divine, 
 Who, more than Angel in serenity, 135 
 
THE SXMBOIS. 223 
 
 Spake to them all. Next, meditating deep,. 
 Thus I rehearsed the meaning of the same. 
 My evening task, for better memory. 
 
 From Eden's wild, the "Word of G-od brought Man, 
 Whom he had formed of dust, and into whom 140 
 
 Had breathed the breath of lives ; and planted him. 
 Eastward of Eden, in a Paradise 
 Prepared for his reception. Prom the ground 
 Grew every tree, was pleasant to the sight. 
 And good for food : — also, the Tree of Lives, 145 
 
 "Within the Garden's midst ; and, near, the Tree 
 Of Kjiowledge, bearing fruit of good and ill. 
 Prom Eden, too, there went a Eiver forth, 
 To water it. The new-made Man was placed. 
 To dress and keep his fair inheritance. 150 
 
 Of all the garden he might ireely eat, 
 Save of the Tree of Knowledge — ' this the Law, 
 "Which violated, thou shalt surely die.' 
 Man was alone ; to cure his solitude, 
 
 "Were brought to him the cattle of the field, 155 
 
 Beasts of the forest, and the birds of air ; 
 And what he called them, that the name of each. 
 But this sufficed not. He was more alone. 
 They absent, than before. Then slept the Man ; 
 And while he slumbered, from his opened side 160 
 
 The "Word took substance ; of it "Woman formed ; 
 And shewed her to him. waking, saying then 
 To them — ' Your name is Adam.' Naked both. 
 The Man and "Wife, yet unashamed were they. 
 Visions had Adam in the creant sleep 165 
 
 That teemed with living Eve. ' Methought,' said he, 
 ' I was embraced, almost absorbed in God, 
 So strong divine attraction ; when a shock 
 Repulsed me from his bosom, and I lay. 
 Confused vnth terrour, smitten on the earth ; 170 
 
 Alone ; and felt me Man. Nought else I felt. 
 
224 THE BOOK or ENOCH. 
 
 Nought else distinctly ; for the earth itself 
 
 Seemed only part of me : nor felt apart ; 
 
 !For all seemed felt at once. Each power, each act. 
 
 Law, principle, idea,, thought, and thing, 175 
 
 "Were present in the selfsame consciousness, 
 
 As if to prove me being ; these I named. 
 
 In marvel at their number, then as one 
 
 Eesumed, and called them all myself. But, soon, 
 
 I yearned for Otherness ; and, as I yearned, 180 
 
 An Image of MyseK formed in my heart. 
 
 And took the shape of Eve, whom then I loved. 
 
 Ere, with these eyes, I saw. She when beheld, 
 
 Earth was not, for her Beauty proved a veil 
 
 On nature ; only sense for her I had, 185 
 
 And all created else was unperceived. 
 
 At length, the veil withdrawn, a little space, 
 
 I looked up to the heavens, then to the hills. 
 
 And gazed upon the slope, the winding streams, 
 
 The valleys, forests, and the flowered grass ; 190 
 
 Then, turned again to her, saw only her. 
 
 Then her would I bespeak, and she reply. 
 
 And when I next looked forth, I spake to them. 
 
 And winds, and torrents answered — sounds, not words. 
 
 Then questioned I ; if they, like us, had mind ? 195 
 
 Till on a day they were revealed in glory, 
 
 Eor all whereon we looked became as water, 
 
 "Wherein we might behold ourselves reflected. 
 
 There stood Two like Ourselves, more radiant they ; 
 
 Pemale, and male : Divine humanities ; 200 
 
 The Eternal "Word, the "Wisdom Infinite. 
 
 Brief while, they stayed ; for then the sunset came. 
 
 Twilight, and darkness ; prayer, and sleep, and dreams.' 
 
 Now, was the Serpent of more subtle kind. 
 Than any living creature of the field — 205 
 
 And he found voice, and to the "Woman spake. 
 Of that same Tree of Knowledge. She replied. 
 
THE SYMBOLS. 225 
 
 ' We may not eat of it, or even touch, 
 
 Lest we should die.' ' Te shall not surely die,' 
 
 The Serpent answered — 'but shall be as gods, 210 
 
 Knowing both good, and evil.' Soon she saw. 
 
 How good for food, and pleasant to the eye 
 
 The Tree prohibited ; desirable 
 
 To make the eater wise : she plucked, and ate ; 
 
 And to her Husband with her gave of it. 215 
 
 Straight were their eyes enlightened, and they knew 
 That they were naked ; sought themselves to clothe 
 With fig leaves sewed. 
 
 'Twas in the cool of day. 
 When walked the Word of God ia Paradise — 
 They heard his voice, and 'mong the garden trees 220 
 
 Concealed them from his presence. ' Where art thou ? ' 
 Thus spake the Voice — and Man responded thus. 
 ' I heard thy voice ; being naked, was a&aid. 
 And hid myself.' ' Who told thee,' spake the Voice, 
 ' That thou wert naked — hast thou broke the Law 225 
 
 And eaten of the Tree ? ' The Man replied, 
 ' The Woman gave to me, and I did eat.' 
 The Woman said — ' The Serpent me beguUed.' 
 Then to the Serpent thus — ' For this thou art 
 Otherwise doomed than any creature else ; 230 
 
 To crawl upon thy womb, and dust to eat : 
 Between thee, and the Woman ; and between 
 Thy seed, and hers ; is henceforth Enmity. 
 For he shall bruise thy head, and thou his heel.' 
 
 Thus spake the Voice ; next to the Woman said, 235 
 ' Thy travail, and conception multiply ; 
 In sorrow shalt thou bring thy children forth ; 
 Desire thy husband, and be swayed by him.' 
 
 Last to the Man. ' Appointed is the ground. 
 Because of thee, in sorrow to be reaped — 240 
 
 For thorns, and thistles shall grow up therein, 
 Though of the herb permitted thee to eat. 
 
226 Tnn BOOK of ekoch. 
 
 The sweating of thy brow shall earn thee bread, 
 
 Till to the ground, whence thou wert formed, restored — 
 
 Por dust thou art, and shalt to dust return.' 245 
 
 His doom thus heard ; the Man his Wife addressed, 
 ' Thy name be Eve ; Mother of all art thou.' 
 
 Then Death was known. For He who spake to them 
 From the slain Lamb bereft the woolly skin. 
 And covered Adam, and his "Wife withal — 250 
 
 Saying, ' Behold, the Man has now become 
 As one of Us, of evil, and of good 
 Intelligent. Lest he his hand put forth. 
 And pluck the fruitage from the Tree of Lives, 
 And eat, and live for ever, fit he go 255 
 
 Forth from this paradise, to till the ground 
 Whence he was taken.' 
 
 So he drave him forth. 
 Eve following ; and placed his Cherubim 
 East of the Grarden, templed in the flame, 
 A fiery piUar, turiiing on itself, 260 
 
 Irradiant, guarding thus the Tree of Lives. 
 
 So meditating, lost in deepest thoughts. 
 My heart burned. Then forth issued I, to fall. 
 Adoring, in the presence of my God, 
 Before the Cherubim that guard the gate 265 
 
 Of Eden. There I came. How gloriously 
 The fiery piUar, self-involved, revealed 
 Its glory, from the glory inshrining it, 
 Its tabernacle. Ever as it rose 
 
 Sublimer, in pyramid majesty, 270 
 
 Back on itself in wrath divine it rolled. 
 Averting from the sinner penal death. 
 In act reflex, and terrours merciful. 
 So thick the terrours, I nought else discerned ; 
 Tet thus I prayed to Him whose name is Love. 275 
 
 ' Create ur, thou hast made thy universe 
 
THE STMBOIS. 227 
 
 A pattern of thy power, a mirrour gross 
 
 Of things divine, inyisible. And all 
 
 Thy works are words : and every word of man 
 
 Embodies, in created thing, the thought 280 
 
 Thus only understood. Even as himself 
 
 Was in thine image made, and only there 
 
 Pinds image of himself, in what of thee 
 
 Inferiour image is. And thou hast set 
 
 Thy Cherubim, the representatives 285 
 
 Of majesty divine, thy witnesses ; 
 
 And gloriously they testify of thee, 
 
 When from the bosom of the thunder-cloud 
 
 The lightning flashes, and the choral peals 
 
 Keverberate thy holiness, and shake 290 
 
 The mercy-seat whereon thou sitst enthroned. 
 
 And human thought than lightning swifter, words 
 
 Impetuous as the thunder, iU reports 
 
 Aught foreign from the spirit whence they came. 
 
 Thine is that spirit, and its skill is thine ; 295 
 
 Thou taughtest language to our father : now 
 
 Teach wisdom to his sons ; and, of the same, 
 
 Perpetual register for memory, 
 
 An adequate memorial for the mind. 
 
 Surer than speech, and ampler than what eye, 300 
 
 Albeit excursive, comprehends alone.' 
 
 Thus prayed I, and was silent. Prom the Cone, 
 The Living Spirit audibly pronounced 
 My name. I lifted up my eyes, and lo, 
 Michael before me stood ; his glory veiled, 305 
 
 As man with man, in majesty subdued. 
 * Thy prayer is heard,' . . he said. ' The Lord, who gives 
 All understanding, and intelligence. 
 Hath heard thy prayer, and answered it by me. 
 — This Tablet take, and deeply contemplate, 310 
 
 Which God shall teach thee rightly to peruse.' 
 'Tis of the Six Days' Work, and Seventh's rest. 
 
 o 2 
 
228 THE BOOK OF ENOCH. 
 
 What there thou flndst transcribe ; and add thereto, 
 "What thou hast learned of Providence, and God.' 
 
 "With grateful heart, I took the precious gift ; 315 
 
 Nor left me then the Angel, but, with kind. 
 And affable attention, me beside 
 Stood, while I read, and helped me to the sense ; 
 And, after I had read, departed pleased. 
 
 II. 
 
 This is the Eecord which. the Tablet bore, 320 
 
 Of "Wisdom to the Elohim listening, 
 Apt to reveal in song the mind of Grod. 
 
 First, the Beginnmg is ; whereiu is hid 
 In Unity of Being, all that can 
 
 Be manifested in diversity, 325 
 
 Involved, but not confused, though Chaos called ; 
 Both Spirit's womb, and Nature's ; Heavens, and Earths, 
 Or, all in each, the Heaven, the Earth, alone. 
 !First, is Jehovah, the Elohim next ; 
 
 Then Adonai, image of the Eirst : 330 
 
 Jehovah, One in All — the One in Three — 
 Eor in the Three abides the Universe, 
 And in the One the All projects the Twain. 
 Before the "Worlds is "Wisdom ; with the Three 
 She sits ; Bride, Sister, Daughter of the One, 335 
 
 Herself thus Three in One ; and, one with Love, 
 (Eeceiving the fecundity divine,) 
 Teems with creations endless, brings them forth 
 In everlasting Order. Heaven, and Earth 
 EoU in her eyes, upon her bosom globe ; 340 
 
 Twin orbs, that to her countenance are as eyes. 
 And to her bosom ever-swelling breasts. 
 From whose twin founts the milk of mercy flows ; 
 Circles of being, though distinct, conjoined, 
 Spirit, and Nature, inseparable mates ; 345 
 
THE TABLET. 229 
 
 Mother of all, yet Virgin though betrothed. 
 
 Hell is not yet ; anon the Heaven, and Earth, 
 
 Within the mirrour of the universe, 
 
 Shew, to herself, herself; well-pleased, she looks. 
 
 And dwells ia them, as her inhabit they ; 350 
 
 In heaven as Wisdpm known, Beauty on earth. 
 
 Nor place, nor state, alone ; but Heaven, and Earth, 
 Intelligent, and loving, live to love, 
 For genpration live, and procreant bliss — 
 Spirit with Nature plays in amorous sport ; 355 
 
 And Being, from their chaste embraces, grows 
 In number ; from their mother, Natures named ; 
 The eldest, Nature, as by excellence. 
 Masculine nature ; but by various names 
 His Brethren known ; a perfect brotherhood, 360 
 
 A brotherhood of Seven ; the youngest called 
 Eternity, in tongue celestial ; Time 
 In dialect terrene. High Powers are all — 
 But them the Spirit celestial, in his care 
 And love mysterious, hides ; and over them .365 
 
 A veil of darkness throws : is called the sphere 
 Of their concealment, Hell. But they in gloom, 
 Though each be solaced with a sister's love, 
 For freedom pine, and supplicate for light. 
 Them hears Terrestrial Nature ; wild with woe, 370 
 
 Their cry she echoes, and the passionate moan 
 Doth pass 'tween Hell, and Earth, and Chaos fiU. 
 ' Vain,' Earth exclaims, ' that I should children own. 
 Yet at my nipples they should never nest. 
 And my capacities of mother-love 375 
 
 Turn inward, so to madden. Love Divine — 
 Why are my chambers unarrayed, and void. 
 And Darkness on the Chaos where I lie ; 
 A desolate vessel, floating an abyss ? ' 
 
 The youngest of her children then found voice— 380 
 ' Appeal not thou against the will of Heaven : 
 
230 THE BOOK or ENOCH. 
 
 Both wise, and just is lie ; — but know, thy strong 
 
 Desire is as a spell within my heart : 
 
 Free me ; — when he descends, it shall prevail.' 
 
 Clad in the gloom of glory. Heaven, as wont, 385 
 
 Descended to embrace maternal Earth, 
 Hovering diffuse. On the material deep 
 Spirit paternal broods ; whereat therefrom 
 A yearning harmony of sighs, and sounds 
 Arose ; a charming music — sweet, as 'twere 390 
 
 By "Wisdom's self even uttered ; and, indeed. 
 Her mind it was Eternity informed, 
 And gave him all his power. Subdued by Love, 
 Heaven melted, and more tenderly embraced 
 Imploring Earth ; more ardently impressed 395 
 
 Spirit the deep of Nature. "What should be 
 New-born, was free to build, and occupy 
 The desolate spaces formless wheresoe'er. 
 Nor what is sworn by Heaven, by Spirit vowed, 
 Fulfilment may delay. Beauty at once, 400 
 
 Emerging from the deep, made Chaos glad, 
 And mighty Powers, Heaven's offspring, peopled Earth. 
 
 But Light is not ; then Love, to be revealed. 
 Again, speaks in thy heart. Eternity ; 
 
 And gives to thee, and to thy Bride a Son, 405 
 
 Known by the glorious name of Lucifer. 
 By him is Light borne even into Hell, 
 And every Nature, fettered there, released, 
 With him, the eldest, masculine, who bore 
 Maternal appellation. Him they own 410 
 
 As most excelling ; yet from gratitude, 
 Confess the youngest, who, by name of Time, 
 Governs both them, and aU. material powers. 
 
 But gratitude by greater benefit 
 May be outbid ; and Light on Darkness grow 415 
 
 TJnto the perfect noon. 
 
 Mysterious Time, 
 
THE TABIET. 231 
 
 As day tte niglit, bright Lucifer usurps ; 
 
 And the obscure Eternity, displaced 
 
 By the progressive Hours with radiant hair, 
 
 Eiatires to higher Heaven : So Wisdom wills ; 420 
 
 So Love ordains. 
 
 The godship of the world 
 Thus Lucifer receives ; and whom his light 
 Had iranchised, they on him confer their gifts. 
 And hail him Prince of Air ; the Lightning his, 
 And his the Thunder that succeeds the flash. 425 
 
 Thus Light was first revealed, unsphered, unorbed, 
 Shining upon the genesis of things, 
 A fluid mass, unshaped, unoccupied, 
 Informing it, and peopling Earth with Powers, 
 Ere yet the Ages in their cycles rolled. 430 
 
 — All is creating yet, created nought : 
 And Love creative acts eternally 
 On forces motionless, and nebulous. 
 Within the silent, dreamless mystery ; 
 'Till Light appears, and Love, beholding, sees 435 
 
 That it is good, distinguishing the light 
 From darkness. — Loth, be sure, his reign to lose. 
 He wages conflict endless, and still pleads 
 His elder right. On him, and on his brood. 
 Light yet persistent wins, from less to more ; 440 
 
 And with his triumph thus One -Sira crowns. 
 
 So Wisdom wills ; so Love. This War eteme 
 Is still of Love. Where Wisdom, Order is. 
 — Still Love ordains that, 'midst this sum of powers. 
 Order, made manifest, distinction make, 445 
 
 'Twist power, and power ; and whatso is above, 
 From whatso is beneath ; forenaming it, 
 (As stiU the visible firmament we name,) 
 Spirit celestial, or the expanse of air. 
 
 Or, in the plural, the Disposing Heavens. 450 
 
 — For know, the Spiritual Heavens as many seem, 
 
232 THE BOOK 01' ENOCH. 
 
 Material Earths but one ; yet, learn the truth, 
 
 That in the One is Many, and in the Many 
 
 One only, with the All preceding both ; 
 
 Hence Love decrees, that Order, simply one, 455 
 
 Affirmed should be for Powers manifold, 
 
 Or rather Omniform as All in All ; 
 
 Seven spirits waiting on the Throne of one, 
 
 Tet omnipresent through the Universe. 
 
 Darkness, meanwhile, with Light, in loving strife, 460 
 
 Contests supremacy ; tiD. victor Light, 
 
 l^ew triumph won, a Second Mra. crovms. 
 
 So Love, so Wisdom wills. Let Order rule 
 The subject living forces, and assign 
 
 To these a rare, and those a denser form, 465 
 
 Distinguishing the simple, and concrete ; 
 And Love, contemplating their dual kinds, - 
 One Fluid calls, one Solid ; goodness sees 
 In each ; and bids the womb of Matter teem 
 "With Life, developed fuU, or in the germ ; 470 
 
 Productive each of offspring, like itself. 
 Of soUd, and of fluid each combined. 
 Proportional ; organic. Ever Love 
 Looks on, and ever sees the work is good ; 
 WhUe on the shore of Darkness, like a flood 475 
 
 After long ebb. Light steals, and covering it, 
 Ifew triumph won, the Third great Age completes. 
 
 So Love ordains, so Wisdom. Kt the Light 
 Should be constrained, and within spheres confined. 
 By All-disposing Order ; in the Heavens 480 
 
 Displayed, gemmed on the bosom of the Air, 
 And sailing in the Spiritual Deep. 
 — Straight the Divine Intelligence impressed 
 Each passive force with motion. One and all 
 Their centre seek ; and, mingling in the chase, 485 
 
 Condense, and crystallize ; and, circling round 
 The point of rest, with progress equable, 
 
THE TABLET. 233 
 
 Of solid, liquid, and ethereal, form 
 
 Both Sun, and Moon, and Planetary orbs ; 
 
 Bearers of Light. 
 
 Then there was "War ia Heaven — 490 
 For Lucifer with Wisdom, conference high 
 Maintaining, had discoursed ; and she, his parle 
 Eepeating, of the "Word Eternal gained 
 The passionate suit that it was Death to plead — 
 • Grateful Vicissitude of Day, and Night, 495 
 
 Of Light, and Darkness ; mutability 
 "Wedding to Time as his terrestrial bride, 
 Whose law by marriage contract his became ' — 
 — So sang the Hours, in hymeneal song, 
 Bridesmaidens they, erelong themselves to wed 500 
 
 The dark-browed Youths whose locks were raven black. 
 Children of Darkness ; spite of their Old Sire, 
 Abhorring change, prohibiting revolt ; 
 Darkness thrice-nameless, thrice-unknown ; now named, 
 Now by the Stars invaded, and revealed, 505 
 
 Or wandering, or fixed. Then Knowledge rose. 
 Fair Wisdom's youngest brother, and would prate 
 Of Good, and Evil, in his frolic mood, 
 Which Darkness would not brook — and darker grew 
 With anger, frowning tempest. 
 
 Longer now, 510 
 
 The Battle might not wait ; for Motion was. 
 And power, by power attracted, or repelled. 
 Shewed love, or hatred, in one sphere combined. 
 Or formed opposing worlds. The solar god 
 Poured, hot, and bright, his iofluence through the mass, 515 
 Erst cold, and dem, and modified at will 
 Material form ; himself thus sufiiering loss. 
 Whereat was Darkness pleased, but soon repaired 
 By the pervading Lucifer, whose aid 
 
 Might omnipresent seem ; such power was his, 520 
 
 Though short of that, the balance to preserve. 
 
234 THE BOOK OF ENOCH. 
 
 Of qualities by constant interchange, 
 
 And revolution. Meet, ho-we'er, the god 
 
 Soon moderate his wrath ; for its fierce heat, 
 
 Invading matter, else will all dissolve ; 525 
 
 DiflFased all form in space aeriform. 
 
 Some of resistive temper stubbornly 
 
 Maintain coherence ; but, already, more. 
 
 Capacious of less heat, compactness lose; 
 
 A few of warmth impatient, melt at once. 530 
 
 Anon, his passion cooled' ; and all was safe. 
 
 Each form concrete held in its central place. 
 
 And new were still begotten — for the war. 
 
 Though furious, yet by Love was overruled. 
 
 Then there was born to Earth, and Heaven at once 535 
 The Angel Victory, who, with rapid flight. 
 Chased Darkness into refuge, where he reigns 
 Among the planets which no light has reached. 
 Two thirds of space. Thus the Pourth Age had end. — 
 
 Then Wisdom 'gan complain. ' Lo, here is change 540 
 Of Night, and Day ; and Signs, in the Expanse, 
 Are set for Seasons, and for Days, and Years. 
 And lo, my Brother Knowledge reads them all ; 
 Our self enthroned above.' Then spake the "Word. 
 ' Wouldst thou descend ? Observe example first — 545 
 Life is in me ; hence Light in Lucifer : 
 See, where he shines on high, the Morning-Star. 
 In him abiding. Light begetteth Life, 
 Which he would multiply in living shapes, 
 As Light in me begat Life Infinite, 550 
 
 And made thee Mother of all things that be. 
 — So let the waters teem with things of life. 
 The air with volant creatures. It is good. 
 Blessed be ye. Increase, and multiply ; 
 Eill ye the waters of the sea, make glad 555 
 
 The expanded air betwixt yon Heaven, and Earth.' 
 
 Thus while he spake, bright Lucifer unsphered 
 
THE TABLET. 
 
 235 
 
 His glory ; and, his state forsook, became 
 
 The mystic instinct, and sagacity. 
 
 Of those wio thus were blessed, the inhabitants 560 
 
 Of sea, and air j genius of winds, and streams ; 
 
 His life their Ugbt, exalted in his fall ; 
 
 Mutation constant, till the Fifth Age ends. 
 
 Which seeing. Wisdom sigbed : ' I yearn for Death.' 
 Answered the Eternal Word : ' Have tby desire : 565 
 
 Thy death, by law of Love, makes needful mine ; 
 But I consent to both, for love of thee. 
 — Let, therefore, Earth bring living creatures forth ; 
 Cattle, and creeping things, and forest beasts. 
 According to their kinds. Lo, it is good.' 570 
 
 Thus earth was peopled. But there needed yet 
 A lord to rule this heritage of life, 
 The wild of savage natures, reptile forms. 
 
 Then spake the Word again. ' Let Lucifer 
 Be mind to them, according to his prayer, 575 
 
 Which, the Elohim grant. Befits that We, 
 Structure, sublimer far, intelligence ; 
 More lofty front, and attitude erect. 
 Eor Love hath spoken, both in thee, and me. 
 
 ' Let us make Man, our Image, like Ourself, 580 
 
 Both male, and female ; let them rule the tribes 
 Of Ocean, Air of earth, and Earth herself, 
 And the seed-bearing herb, and fruitful tree, 
 Possess for fruit.' 
 
 Then Wisdom, glad, exclaimed, 
 ' So my delights long promised shall arrive, 585 
 
 And with the Sons of Men shall I disport, 
 Within the habitable parts of Earth.' 
 
 Whereto the Word replied : • Wherefore myself 
 Must Man become, be bom, and suffer Death ; 
 And thou, the Universal Mother, yield 590 
 
 Homage, as Woman,, to a mortal lord. 
 Travail with Time, and bring forth Truth with pain. 
 
236 THE BOOK or ENOCH. 
 
 To perisli in an agony of fire, 
 
 Only regaining thus immortal life, 
 
 By me redeemed from sorrow, and the grave. 595 
 
 Tempted hy Lucifer to this result, 
 
 !Forewamed ; by strong desire, and love compelled ; 
 
 That thou, though wise before, shouldst learn to know, 
 
 And with experience flU the reason's void.' 
 
 The Sixth Age ended ; there was Eest in Heaven. 600 
 
 Jehovah, the Elohim, one Jehovah : 
 "Word, O Wisdom, O Eternal Love ; 
 O ninefold Mystery, uncreate, unnamed ; 
 Darkness profound, impenetrable proved 
 By Light's excess, that blinds ua as we gaze ; • 605 
 
 Moat hides itself in that which most reveals ; 
 And teaches Man, that God may not be known. 
 Both Q-ood, and Evil are His ordonnance ; 
 And Light, and Darkness ; He created both. 
 
 "When I had read, I bowed my pensive knee 610 
 
 To the great Parent of the Universe ; 
 And ordered, then, a solemn Sacrifice, 
 In presence of the people. On the tomb 
 Of Adam, the devoted Lamb I slew. 
 
 And took his skin, and with his blood transcribed 615 
 
 A sacred Song ; first sung by me, and them. 
 As, then and there, the Spirit had inspired 
 Me, erst by "Wisdom made a Eriend of Grod, 
 And Prophet, as she makes all holy souls, 
 Who welcome her, when she would enter in. 620 
 
 Before all Being, Love is G-od. Of Love, 
 Light-giving Love, the Father gives the Son 
 Life in himself to have, and propagate. 
 None shall the Father see, at any time. 
 But he to whom the Co-eternal Son 625 
 
THE TABLET. 237 
 
 Himself reveals, revealing so the Sire. 
 
 Sucli the decree. Paternal Throne of Love, 
 
 Unutterable, inaccessible, 
 
 Abides in Light that aye shall limit round 
 
 The universe, and nought shall comprehend 630 
 
 For ever, and for ever. None shall hear 
 
 His voice, the filial Word except, and he 
 
 To whom the "Word his wiU supreme reveals, 
 
 "Withia whose bosom I consorted live. 
 
 Eternal Silence is not. Love bespeaks 635 
 
 ' The Son — I am :' and the Word answers — ' Tea, 
 Father, thou art, and I in thee !' To whom 
 The Eternal Father : — ' Lo, I swear ; of thee 
 And for thee are the Heavens, and the Earths : 
 Both the Beginniag, and the End art thou.' 640 
 
 Whereto the Son — ' According to thy wiU, 
 I constitute the Ages.' And, at once. 
 Beginning is, the Heavens, the Earths are made ; 
 Nor void, nor formless, nor in darkness hid 
 To the Creatours, though, unuttered yet, 645 
 
 In the Beginning lives the Word with Love ; 
 Profound,- unfathomable abyss, anon 
 Lispired, and vocal, . . Love become the Word, 
 And the far Spirit circumscribing space. 
 That Wisdom may complete the Work of Power. 650 
 
 Behold ; the Heavens outspread, expanse of Air 
 In motion, destined to dispose the place 
 Of worlds innumerable, radiant orbs. 
 Nor Light is not. The Spirit obeys the Voice 
 Eternal ; and, in floods of ether. Time 655 
 
 Transpicuous, from the agitated deep 
 Electric, . . whirling as a wheel, by force 
 Of the strong wind, that, like an eagle's wings, 
 Flutters above its waters, as a nest 
 
 Where life is teeming, . . soars, empyreal youth, 660 
 
 And beautiful as young. Thereat the Light 
 
238 THE BOOK OF ENOCH. 
 
 Cornea forth to welcome him ; he, at her breasts 
 
 Cradled, grows in her aspect lovely, till 
 
 She diadems with day-beams his smooth brows ; 
 
 And ancient Darkness hides but half a world. 665 
 
 Thereat to hail him is the rush of Floods, 
 
 And Heaven itself descendeth to divide 
 
 Their rivalry. The Land and Main appear, 
 
 And own his domination. Then with dance, 
 
 And voice of melody, and lyres of gold, 670 
 
 The choral Stars rejoice, with Sun, and Moon ; 
 
 The finny nations of the watery deep, 
 
 Winged people of the aereal hemisphere. 
 
 The children of the forest, and the field. 
 
 Make earth, and air, and ocean, glad with life. 675 
 
 Shout loud with joy the sons of Love in heaven — 
 
 Soon silent, for the Elohim speaking thus : 
 
 ' Let us make Man in our own Image.' So 
 In his own Image, Love createth Man. 
 — Thus are the Heavens created, and their Hosts ; 680 
 The Earths with their Inhabitants are made, 
 Creating yet, creating evermore. 
 
 Six eves, and morns the work divine endures. 
 And the profound knows motion ; storm, and calm 
 Meting the days, and making each an sera. 685 
 
 Perfect in its completions. Love beholds 
 His Universe, and aU pronounces good ; 
 Fit altar for his worship — temple fit 
 For Man to dwell in : and, by seeing Love, 
 In nature visible, conform his works 690 
 
 To his exemplar, . . perfect, and preserve 
 His breathed soul's similitude divine. 
 Then Love into his solitude retires, 
 And hallows his repose ; hence sanctifies 
 The Seventh Day to man, recurring sign 695 
 
 Of his perpetual peace . . memorial aye 
 Of his creation, and completing joy. 
 
DEATH, AND OBSEQTJIEB OF ADAM. 239 
 
 III. 
 
 Hear now the "Words that 'Wisdom spake to me. 
 ' Before his "Works of Old, thus ere the earths, 
 And heavens, ere the hills, and skies, and floods, 700 
 
 In the Beginning of his Mystery, 
 I Wisdom dwell with him, and with his "Word, 
 "Whenas his Law gives Order to the Heavens, 
 And his Commandment binds the Waters in, 
 And his Decree establishes the Earths, 705 
 
 Eejoicing in the Fountain of all Love, 
 "Who still becomes Intelligence, and Life, 
 In Angels, Man, and creatures stUl express. 
 
 Nor Earth to me is not, nor void of Man, 
 Its habitable parts unpopulous. 710 
 
 But with the Sons of Men I stUl delight. 
 Partaking my Divinity with them, 
 Even to self-utterance.' "Wisdom, whUe Man speaks. 
 Prompts the pleased mind, and Beauty charms the soul — 
 "Whence Eden, with her smile irradiate, blooms 715 
 
 A Paradise of joy ; the common earth 
 Blossoms into a Garden sanctified, 
 "Whose streams are nectar, whereat Angels drink. 
 Ornate with Trees whose fruit is food for gods — 
 Charms all too much. In her Immortal Form, 720 
 
 Man seeks Eternal Substance ; and desire, 
 Creative in subsistent Loveliness, 
 Fruition finds. So twain becomes of One, 
 And Male, and Female rule the "World of Life, 
 The Image that of Love ; of "Wisdom this. 725 
 
 One Being "Woman, communed with by Man, 
 High Knowledge gaining, and, therewith, desire 
 To contemplate the Beautiful that should 
 Reflect herself, the Beauty in all Forms — 
 Thereto by the Atoning Cherub led, 730 
 
 The radiant Lucifer, thence Satan called. 
 
240 THE BOOK or ENOCH. 
 
 Whose heart by his own brightness now seduced, 
 
 To make division ia the works of God, 
 
 "Would with his own ambition prompt the Eve, 
 
 So name the "Woman, of all women type. 735 
 
 Fresh from the feast of Knowledge, and of Death, 
 "With more than nectar, or with food divine. 
 Filled, elevate, sublimed, enrapt, inspired. 
 To full voluptuous joy ; Eve aimed at Heaven, 
 Nor less than "Wisdom's self, the Bride of God, 740 
 
 Eelt iu her own esteem — spiritual pride, 
 "Wherewith the soul reels drunken in excess ; 
 And in her beauty thus, serene, severe, 
 "With loveliest imitation, dalliance soft, 
 Wooes to the banquet rare her yielding lord. 745 
 
 Spell-bound by her desire — her will made his — 
 His life within her lap dissolves away, 
 She dying in his arms ; from which sweet death 
 Both rise again, she teeming vrith new Ufe, 
 Conceived in sin, but bom to be redeemed. 750 
 
 Hence Many of the Twain. Hence All the Forms, 
 In Men, and "Women, of the "Wise, and Fair — 
 Emblem of very man, not very man. 
 Emblem of woman, not true woman, each ; 
 Such as their everlasting archetypes, 755 
 
 The "Word, and "Wisdom that with God abide, 
 
 Distiuction first, then Separation comes. 
 But not Expulsion ; till the Cherub dares 
 To lure the loving "WiU to outward act 
 Of Knowledge mixed for pure, both good, and iU. 760 
 
 Distant from Paradise, two Sexes then, 
 Of earthly generatours earthly heirs. 
 Sad exiles to a world that travails stiQ, 
 By Labour win a Garden from the Wild, 
 And die — to know, what else can not be known. 765 
 
 No Image, hence, of Love is fallen Man, 
 
DEATH, AKD OBSEQUIES OF ADAM. 241 
 
 But Symbol mere of Wisdom, partial sign ; 
 
 And Woman but of Beauty tbe mere type, 
 
 Who should have been of Wisdom Image fair. 
 
 Tet Hope survives, though Innocence depart, 770 
 
 And Faith, and Love shall triumph over Death. 
 
 The Soul consumes the Sin vrherein it bums. 
 
 With glory crowning, and transflgnring 
 
 The house of Death into Life's elements. 
 
 Making it radiant ere invisible,. 775 
 
 Hallowed, and hallowing. Transgression thus 
 
 Preludes Salvation, which of twain makes one> 
 
 In dissolution but renewal finds. 
 
 Befits, in truth, such mysteries be veiled — 
 For Shame would Nature's nakedness defend, 780 
 
 And Grace in pity clothes the shrinking soul. 
 Better than words the hallowed symbols suit. 
 Which our revered progenitor himself 
 Bade to be pictured on his altar-tomb. 
 Lo, the Elohim breathe into the man, 785 
 
 Created of the dust, the breath of lives, 
 Whence he of clay becomes a living soul. 
 
 I, Wisdom, give instruction unto Men, 
 For I am Understanding, and with me ■ 
 Is Prudence, Wealth, and Power from everlasting ; 790 
 The Word of God the Genitor of all. 
 Through Him in the Beginning filiate ; 
 Father of Spirits, Love Inefiable, 
 The Saviour, the Eedeemer, evermore. 
 —With the First-Born, the Man his Mother hailed 795 
 As Him the Hope of Ages yet to come, 
 I communed from his birth ; but Labour made 
 My lessons hard, whereby would Cain deserve 
 What else I proffered freely. Wroth he grew, 
 FuU of the rage to know, and wish to merit ; 800 
 
 Yea, and in aU that he would still deserve. 
 And BtUl would know, the Fury recognised. 
 
242 THE BOOK or ENOCH. 
 
 That appetite of thirst, and hunger keen 
 
 Kept in his soul alive. Thus outwardly 
 
 Possessed, as still within ; companions fierce, 805 
 
 Shapes of strange anger, Terrours without name, 
 
 Him from me wooed, and carried thorough realms 
 
 Of Death, and Hades ; in whose murmurs wild 
 
 He learned the lore of War, and 'gan rejoice 
 
 In battle for the love of victory — 810 
 
 Debating, first, in words what, in the end. 
 
 Yields but to the arbitrament of blows, 
 
 Charged with the death of either combatant. 
 
 So Cain his brother slew, disputing first 
 
 The creed that both had heard feom infancy ; 815 
 
 Hence, 'twixt their rival altars, Abel fell.' 
 
 I write what ye do know. My words are truth. 
 Whereof, O fathers, witnesses are ye. 
 Adam, our Father, gave me in command 
 To gather, as the youngest of them all, 820 
 
 The patriarchs together, that they might 
 Be present at the death of the JPirst Man, 
 To whom the Spirit had his end foretold. 
 Te came, Seth, Bnos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, 
 And Jared ; and, with me, and vrith my son, 825 
 
 Methuselah, around the couch of age, 
 In grave solicitude, and silent awe. 
 His words attended, while he thus began. 
 
 ' Our God is good, Jehovah — God of gods — 
 Our dwelling-place before the mountains were, 830 
 
 Heaven's canopy was spread, or ocean flowed. 
 In his own likeness, God created Man, 
 And placed him in a happy Paradise, 
 And wedded him to Woman. On the law 
 Of God we meditated with delight ; 835 
 
 To covet not, even knowledge, though divine. 
 His law was love, obedience loving him ; 
 
DEATH, Ain> OBSEQITEBS OF ADAM. 243 
 
 Love strong in hope, and fortified by faith : 
 And doubt was not until was tempted Eve, 
 To efibrt vain, of knowledge without power. 840 
 
 Then was revealed the Love we dared suspect. 
 — ^Evening came on : On the refreshing breeze 
 "Walked great Jehovah's Voice — the Merciful — 
 And question done, and judgement passed, resumed 
 Such condescension, that I hailed aloud 845 
 
 Eve, Mother of all Living ; bo decreed, 
 To manifest the perfect Man divine. 
 — ' "Why doubtedst thou Our love, who gave thee life ? 
 "Why fearedst that They from thee should knowledge hide. 
 Who made thee in their image, nor in this 850 
 
 Dissimilar ? "We would that thou shouldst know 
 Thy strength, but he thy weakness who seduced. 
 Election made, necessity begins. 
 G-o — ^win by labour what free grace had given : 
 Aim to be gods ; and be such but in aim : 855 
 
 So lose the end in the endeavour, till 
 Toil be the whole, and nothing the reward. 
 Earth shall ask sweat enough, and nature veil 
 Herself to much enquiry . . oft to all. 
 Such is the curse. Tet shall salvation be 860 
 
 "Wrought, though with trembling, out. A race shall rise, 
 The kings, and priests of men, who shall uphold 
 Faith, or for good, or evU, and attain 
 Knowledge, or power ; and human fears, and hopes 
 Shall hang on mortal wills : and these shall mount 865 
 
 Exalted to celestial seats, and earth 
 Adore them — ^heroes, demigods, and gods : 
 TlQ One shall come, who from their hands shall wrest 
 Their sceptres, shall dethrone them from their skies. 
 Meantime must God, and Man be twain, till He 870 
 
 Shall reunite : — In sign whereof, observe 
 "What now I do, and oft the rite perform.' 
 — Thus saying ; straight he of earth an altar piled, 
 
 B 2 
 
244 THE BOOK OP EirOOH. 
 
 And on it laid an holocaust, and slew 
 
 The anointed beasts, as I do now, and said, 875 
 
 ' Lo, Adam, this is Death.' We saw — were thrilled — 
 
 ' Fear not, for this shall your last refuge be 
 
 Prom sorrow . . here behold the gate of Heaven. 
 
 And now the Fire of heaven that ye will need, 
 
 Thus vdllingly I render to your use — 880 
 
 The life that ye have shed. Heaven shall accept 
 
 And reunite unto its fount above — 
 
 And thus ye are atoned. In proof whereof, 
 
 Be clothed ye with these sacrificial skins, 
 
 Cover from shame, and armour for defence 885 
 
 'Gainst elemental nature; waked to strife 
 
 By your transgression. Thus by wisdom live — 
 
 And art and patience, faith and fortitude. 
 
 Obstruction shall subdue, or if not, death.' 
 
 — The while he spake, the flame descended there, 890 
 
 And quaffed the blood ; and, o'er our limbs he spread 
 
 The skias from off the holocaust ; as now, 
 
 The flame descends upon our sacrifice. 
 
 And ' I invest thee, Seth, with this same skin. 
 
 And consecrate thee Patriarch, and Priest,' 895 
 
 And while Seth knelt, as, prescient of his death, 
 Adam on him the hallowed raiment put, 
 He said : ' This done, the Merciful pursued : 
 ' But now ye have become like us, to know 
 Both good, and ill, and much ambition shewn, 900 
 
 And less submission ; ye may deem to thwart 
 The doom of death, and, plucking from the Tree 
 Of Lives, become immortal in your sin. 
 And earn eternal sorrow. Hence it needs 
 The way be barred, that Life be not outlived, 905 
 
 And Paradise become unparadised. 
 Therefore, without its walls, I do return 
 With you unto the Place whence thee I brought. 
 
DEATH, AlTD OBSEQUIES OF ADAM. 245 
 
 Adam ; there to till the ground wherefrom 
 
 1 took thee.' So he drave us forth, and left, 910 
 East of the garden, there his Cherubim, 
 
 Whereon he rode in living majesty. 
 
 To frustrate all return, until the hour 
 
 "When death sets free the soul, and that great time 
 
 When for the world atonement shall be made. 915 
 
 — My hour is come. Farewell. Eestore to earth 
 
 Earth's perishable dust.' 
 
 So Adam died. 
 — Six days were past in sorrow. These elapsed, 
 The race of Adam at his obsequies 
 
 Assembled. Seth, the Patriarch, and the Priest, 920 
 
 Amidst the multitudes, where now I stand. 
 In venerable dignity, prepared 
 The sacrifice of burial. In cold earth 
 The body of our father he entombed ; 
 Saying, ' As thus the chamber of the grave 925 
 
 Within, his mortal frame reposes here, 
 Thus ia the bowers of Paradise his soul, 
 In visionary slumber, flndeth peace, 
 TUl their re-union in the end of time.' 
 
 Tears then were shed ; a loud lament arose 930 
 
 Erom thousands, and from thousands. ' And is this 
 The hope of man f Are aU his days of toil 
 Decreed to this reward ? Hath Adam died, 
 Even like the holocaust we sacrificed ? 
 Perishes man as perishes the worm, 935 
 
 And, mingliug with the dust, is seen no more ?' 
 
 Loud sobs were heard, and then the clamour ceased ; 
 At length, a Stranger from the Land of Naid 
 Eose in the midst . . and, asking with his hand 
 Attention, thus began : ' Such are the hopes 940 
 
 Of miserable man. Knew ye not Death 
 Before ? I knew him, King of Terrours, ere 
 Tour generation was ; for I beheld 
 Young Abel die, whose blood cried from the ground,' 
 
246 THE BOOK OI' ENOCH. 
 
 Hereat was raised the question, like a shout — 945 
 
 ' Cain ? art thou Cain ? ' . . He answered, ' I am Cain :' 
 And, taking off his iron crown, exclaimed — 
 ' Behold the sign upon my writhen brow, 
 Branded by God, devoted Fratricide, 
 rirst witness of man's death, first murtherer. 950 
 
 I rose against him in my wrath, for he. 
 Who shed blood of the firstlings of his flock, 
 Was pleasing to his Maker ; while I — I — 
 Who offered of the produce of my toU, 
 Was hateful in his sight, I tilled the earth ; 955 
 
 I fattened it with sweat, and watered it 
 With tears, . . for food, . . aU to prolong this Ufe, 
 This miserable life, whose end ye see. 
 He ate the food who earned not ; but his days 
 Passed idly, contemplating with delight 960 
 
 The soil accursed, whose stubbornness would yield 
 Only to labour — painful, and severe. — 
 Alas, my lovely brother. I esteemed 
 Thy life but vanity . . and what is mine ? 
 Vanity only more laborious, cursed. 965 
 
 A curse — a curse — a curse is on the earth. 
 And death within its bosom, night, and hell, 
 Populous hell, and night depopulate.' 
 
 Then from the ground rose Eve ; where, weeping, she 
 Had sate, and ran to «lasp her long-lost son — 970 
 
 Spurned rudely. — ' Cain,' she cried, ' my first-born son : 
 A happy mother I, when thou wert bom : 
 When I to Adam said, that I had got 
 The man Jehovah.' — 
 
 ' I the first-born man — 
 Why by another are these rites performed ? 975 
 
 Behold, a king am I. Lo, I am crowned. 
 The diadem conceals a branded brow — 
 Te have no kings among you, . . look on me ; . . 
 The blood I shed did consecrate me such ; 
 Fearful my name, and sacred made my life. 980 
 
DEATH, AlfD OBSEQUIES or ADAM. 247 
 
 Tbou art Sin's mother — Death was my red son, 
 
 "Who, like an harvest man asweat with toil, 
 
 Perspires all gore, dissolved in bloody dews — 
 
 Anon, he makes huge havoc with the race. 
 
 Long-time preserved, of Adam, the Unborn, 985 
 
 Yet dead. And soon his father shall he slay. 
 
 And I will bid him hail, and be no more.' 
 Then spake the youngest of the fathers there, 
 
 Enoch : . . ' "Why are ye silent, sons of G-od ? 
 
 Te fathers of the family of men P 9 90 
 
 Man was by God created, and was found 
 
 Of him, by nature ignorant, and wild, 
 
 Spread on the ground whence he had taken him : 
 
 Then did he lead him by the hand into 
 
 A Paradise of pleasure, and contract 995 
 
 With him a gracious covenant, that he 
 
 Might soar by wisdom, on the wings of faith. 
 
 To blessed life, to immortality. 
 
 From carnal lusts abstaining ; and appoint 
 
 A righteous law to manifest his sin, 1000 
 
 If he transgressed. Then did he drive him forth. 
 
 To win by labour what the soul, absorbed 
 
 In sensible indulgence, indolent^ 
 
 Left unattempted in a state of ease. 
 
 And know ye not, prophetic Adam taught, 1005 
 
 Death is not final, but transition mere 
 
 To an immortal state for weal, or woe. 
 
 And while we speak, his spirit hovers near. 
 
 And weeps for pity at this blasphemy.' 
 
 Then Cain laughed loud. ' His spirit, even now 1010 
 Te said, had sped to Paradise — 'tis here, 
 'Tis there — or any where ; but where it is, 
 Te know not, . . ay, or that it is.' Then tears 
 Channelled his rugged cheeks. ' How oft have I, 
 In the lone visions of the night, with loud 1015 
 
 And earnest prayers, and groanings from the soul. 
 
248 THE BOOK OP ENOCH. 
 
 Called upon Abel to appear to me, 
 
 And soothe my spirit with his presence once, 
 
 In sign of pardon, or that I had not 
 
 Extinguished all his being. He heard not 1020 
 
 My supplication ; had he heard, he would 
 
 Have come, . . for he was ever gentle. No — 
 
 There is no hope for man. But on the grave. 
 
 The gate of hell, sits, like a fiend. Despair.' 
 
 And saying thus, he vanished ; and the rest 1025 
 
 Departed sad, a mournful company. 
 
 Beturning to the realm o'er which he ruled, 
 Cain, the man-slayer, the death-angel slew ; 
 By touch ethereal slain, and not by man. 
 
 IV. 
 
 How swift the years fly past, yet not as flies 1030 
 
 The traceless arrow through the closing air. 
 Body, and soul, they do impress on man 
 The signs that they have been ; for what are they 
 Bat motions of his own activity. 
 
 Whose very thoughts imperishable are, 1035 
 
 Inscribed by Grod within his Book of Doom ? 
 
 Upon the race of Seth, the words of Cain 
 Sank deeply, with the death of the Unborn, 
 The first-created man. Dispute ensued. 
 High argument ; nor might assurance high 1040 
 
 Of angels, visiting the sons of men, 
 Celestial testimony, tb convince 
 The Bceptic mind suffice ; who'll not believe, 
 No satisfaction, eveji in knowledge, finds. 
 Nay, even to demon oracles recourse 1045 
 
 Was had — of whom Cain's race enquiry made. 
 And oft received forged answer. Conference, 
 And intercourse succeeded. Then the Sons 
 Of God the Daughters saw of men, how fair. 
 
TEANSLATION OF ENOCH. 249 
 
 How lovely, how adorned, how sweetly wise 1050 
 
 And amiably accomplished, and they took 
 
 Them wives at their election. Pure alone 
 
 The children of the blood-devoted dead, 
 
 Abel, who all impurity abhorred. 
 
 And, in simplicity of faith, and deed, 1055 
 
 Continued shepherds of the sacred flocks 
 
 Por sacrifice appointed, whence the shame 
 
 Of man is covered, and his sin forgiven, 
 
 And man is reconciled unto his God. 
 
 Thus was the faith preserved — but not without 1060 
 
 The martyr's peril ; and thereon was one, 
 
 Enoch the Scribe, who looked with much concern. 
 
 Soon to the holy mountain he retired. 
 And fasted . . forty days ; and, all that time. 
 Trances, and visions kept his soul llive, 1065 
 
 Though weeping, and in sorrow. Him none saw. 
 His tears hid in the fountain of his heart. 
 But angels his companions were ; by night. 
 Their sympathy was in the star-light shed. 
 By day in the thin clouds that veiled the sun, 1070 
 
 Too garish for his grief ; and He in heaven 
 Him saw in secret, and consoled with gleams. 
 Unspeakable, and therefore never told, 
 Of joys celestial. Abstinence hath charms, 
 Earnestly lovely . . such that ye would say, 1075 
 
 The beautiful, and true were ia her face, 
 So mingled that the fair were the unfading — 
 So gracefully severe, the enamoured heart 
 Might ne'er believe that it was changeable — 
 Nay, Eaith of its eternity would dream. 1080 
 
 Thus oft into the Eternal 'twould transport 
 Thought as he gazed, and in the ravished soul 
 "Wake the prophetic faculty, whose pens 
 Climb heaven, entering that Other world to come. 
 Which yet now is, even here, and every where. 1085 
 
250 THE BOOK OB ENOCH. 
 
 Then came the Word of God to Enoch's soul. 
 And Michael, prince of human virtue, stood 
 Before him in his martial majesty, 
 Warriour of heaven, and said : 
 
 ' Offence abounds, 
 Man doubts the life within him, God-inbreathed, 1090 
 
 And fear vrith hope halth vanished from the earth ; 
 Twin-sisters they, wings of the soul ; and force 
 Eules dominant, tiU murther bid him pause. 
 Therefore go ihou, and tate thy Book with thee, 
 "Which thou hast written with sacriflc blood, 1095 
 
 And to the Mount of Paradise repair, 
 Where, at the orient gate, the Cherubim 
 Entrance forbid; there, where I gave thee once 
 The Tablet of Creation ; summon there 
 The people ; they shall kear the voice of God, 1100 
 
 And thou shalt prophesy as he shall prompt, 
 Sufficient for the time. Yet they shall scorn. 
 At length, thy sayings ; nay, the voice of God 
 Eeject, albeit now the sons of men 
 
 Be on this side of the baptizing flood, 1105 
 
 That o'er the world shall spread the pall of death, 
 Eedeeming so the earth from violence. 
 Por though no veil the glorious throne obscure, 
 And from the presence of his God divide 
 Man, or from spiritual intercourse 1110 
 
 Debar, with angels, or with demons ; yet 
 Eail even Hope's present objects to secure 
 Faith in the promises. Hence, is it writ 
 In heaven — the decree is written there — 
 Death shall between man, and his hopes stand dark, 1115 
 And faith come by the ear — nought by the eye : 
 Until the grave the Place of Hope expand, 
 Where, tiU the time of consummation, rest 
 Her spirits disincamate, prisoners, 
 Eegion of vision, but itself unseen.' 1120 
 
TEANSLATION OF ENOCH. 251 
 
 And Enoch did appoint a solemn day, 
 And Eden was assembled there, before 
 The sacred hill, ia presence of the Lord. 
 The mountain melted, and the Cherubim 
 Paled to the nothing of obscurity 1125 
 
 Before Jehovah's shadow. Him the cloud 
 Hid, him the fire concealed, him round about 
 Thunder, and lightning girt ; the mountain quaked 
 Beneath the footsteps of Omnipotence. 
 Unto the midst of heaven the mountain burned, 1130 
 
 And fire, and darkness his pavilion were. 
 He rent the heavens, and came down ; and man 
 Dissolved in fear before him, as iu death. 
 The trumpet pealed between ; and as it waxed 
 Louder, and longer, Enoch raised his voice 1135 
 
 As on an eagle's wing, and, strong ia faith. 
 Spake ; and to him the Voice of God replied. 
 Thus summoned, Enoch entered up the mount 
 Into the darkness of excessive light. 
 
 And held mysterious commune for awhile. 1140 
 
 Anon, returned to earth, his countenance 
 Dazzled the gaze of men, and awed them back ; 
 Then he the Coming of the Lord proclaimed : 
 
 ' He Cometh with ten thousands of his saints. 
 Judgement forthwith on all to execute, 1145 
 
 And all that are ungodly to convince 
 Of their ungodly deeds, and their hard speech. 
 Which against him. Most Holy, they have dared. 
 Upon the living Tablets of your Hearts 
 His Laws are written ; all have read them there ; 1150 
 
 And yet, as if unwritten, and unread, 
 Like beSsts ye live whom God created men. 
 Hither, thou trembling Sinner. Stand thou forth. 
 And answer for thy sin. What God is thine ?' 
 
 And he who thus was called upon replied ; 1155 
 
 — ' I bow the knee unto the Teraphim, 
 
252 IKE BOOK OE eitoch:. 
 
 And they have answered me, and made me rich 
 
 In herds, and wives, and numerous progeny. 
 
 Their glory is less terrible than Their's 
 
 That flash, and fiilmine over Paradise.' 1160 
 
 Then rolled the thunder louder, and the hiU 
 
 More wrathfiilly cast out consuming flame. 
 
 And lightning smote the sinner to the earth. 
 
 Then came another, summoned to the bar. 
 ' What is that graven image in thy house ? ' 1165 
 
 ' 'Tis of my father, for he taught me much 
 Of knowledge, and my baud instructed so, 
 That, by its cunning, I can touch the harp, 
 And organ to such harmony as wraps 
 The soul in ecstacy. Divine his art, 1170 
 
 And he adorable.' 
 
 Scarce had he said, 
 When roUed the thunder louder, and the lull 
 More wrathfiiUy cast out consuming fire, 
 And lightning smote the sinner to the earth. 
 
 Then came another, summoned to the bar. 1175 
 
 — ' Why caHest thou upon the name of God ? ' 
 
 ' His name escaped my lips, for o'er my frame 
 Cold shudders crept, and so I uttered it, 
 As I am wont in terrour, or surprise.' 
 
 And then again the thunder louder roUed, 1180 
 
 And wrathfiiUy the hiU. blazed high in heaven, 
 And the just lightning smote the sinner dumb. 
 
 Another, summoned to his doom, advanced. 
 — ' Why, on this high and holy day, wherein 
 Grod rested from his work, that spade bearst thou ? ' 1185 
 
 ' I was a- working in my field, when men 
 Told me of what was passing here of strange. 
 And wonderful ; so from my work I came, 
 Who seldomj if at all, vacation know.' 
 
 Then roUed the thunder louder, and the hill 1190 
 
 More wrathfuUy cast out consuming flame, 
 
TEANSLATIOS Or ENOCH. 253 
 
 And lightning smote the sinner to the earth. 
 Then came another, summoned to the har. 
 — ' Why with such scorn lookst thou upon that old 
 "Woman, and man — thy mother, and thy aire ? ' 11-95 
 
 ' Por they are old and feeble, and in age 
 Eidiculous, mere objects of contempt.' 
 
 Then roUed the thunder louder, and the hill 
 More wrathfully cast out consuming flame. 
 And lightning smote the sinner into dust. 1200 
 
 Another, summoned to his doom, advanced. 
 — ' Why -with such scowling brow gloatst thou on him ? ' 
 
 ' He is my enemy — I slew his sire. 
 And him wiU slay ; for they have done me wrong.' 
 
 Even while he spake, the thunder rolled aloud, 1205 
 
 Fierce burned the mount, and him the lightning slew. 
 
 Another, summoned to his doom, advanced. 
 — ' What woman she. with those lascivious eyes. 
 Who hangs upon thee fearful, while yon man 
 Creeps close behind you, with desponding look ? ' 1210 
 
 ' He is her sometime husband — I am now.' 
 Loud roUed the thunder, fierce the mountain burned. 
 And the just lightning smote the sinner blind. 
 
 Then came another, summoned to the bar. 
 — ' Whence gottest thou that stafi"?' 
 
 'It lay beside 1215 
 An aged man asleep, a useless thing ; 
 I took it thence to help me on my way.' 
 
 Even while he spake, the thunder rolled aloud, 
 Fierce burned the mount, and him the lightning smote. 
 
 Then came another, summoned to the bar. 1220 
 
 — ' Why doth that man upon thee thus exclaim ? ' 
 
 ' He is my neighbour, whom, before the judge, 
 I charged with deeds which ne'er, he saith, he did.' 
 
 Loud rolled the thunder ; fierce- the mountain burned, 
 And the just lightning smote the sinner dumb. 1225 
 
 Then came another, summoned to the bar. 
 
254 THE BOOK OE ENOCH. 
 
 — ' Why lookest thou ■with such a stedfast gaze 
 Upon that ass whereon thy neighbour rides ? ' 
 
 ' I do affect it for its strength, and shape.' 
 
 Again the Mount of Paradise burned up, 1230 
 
 Alive with the avenging Cherubim, 
 Into the midst of heaven, with thunderings, 
 And lightnings, and the noise of trumpet. Then 
 Spake Enoch, and the ungodly so convinced 
 Of their ungodly deeds ; even while they feared, 1235 
 
 And shrunk back from the radiance of his brow, 
 For their hard speeches them he thus reproved : 
 
 ' Te murmurers against the ways of Grod, 
 
 ye complainers for the doom of man ; 
 
 Te who prefer to feed upon the dust, 1240 
 
 Like serpents, yet disdain the serpent's doom ; 
 
 Who lose the sense of immortality, 
 
 No longer worthy even of transient Ufe, 
 
 And therefore justly dread eternal death. 
 
 What proof ask ye ? If ye have none in you, 1245 
 
 None can be given — avails no miracle — 
 
 Nor such vouchsafed, but that the sensual man 
 
 May be without excuse. Tet, after death, 
 
 Ejiow ye, is victory, or discomfiture — 
 
 Victory to him who's valiant to the end, 1250 
 
 And overcometh. Wrath, and shame to him 
 
 Who fails with sin to war, and is subdued. 
 
 But that ye may have reason to believe, 
 
 1 do ascend the sacred Mount of Grod, 
 
 And, without dying, enter Paradise.' 1255 
 
 So saying, calmly, and iu majesty, 
 He did ascend the cherub-guarded hill. 
 And passed the flamiug sword. He walked with God, 
 And was not, for his Grod accepted him. 
 
 These are the words which Seth spake, iu the day 1260 
 When he received the Book that Enoch wrote, 
 
TEANSLATION OF ENOCH. 255 
 
 Unto Jehovah, who created him. 
 
 Thou art Jehovah : terrible art thou 
 In mercy. On thy horses thou didst ride, 
 Thy chariots of salvation bore thee on. 1265 
 
 Prom midst the myriads of the hosts of heaven, 
 The Holy One vnth glory clad the sky, 
 And fixe consumed the mountain vyhere he trod. 
 
 Perfect in beauty, and in wisdom full, 
 Anointed Cherub : who, in Paradise, 1270 
 
 Garden of God, his new-created Man 
 Didst cover with unshamfed innocence. 
 Within the Holy Mountain ; till, profane. 
 Thou wert cast out from 'mong the Thrones of Light. 
 Thine heart was for thy beauty lifted up, 1275 
 
 Thy wisdom was corrupted, verily. 
 By reason of thy brightness. Thou art now 
 Brought to the dust, thou who hast defiled 
 Thy sanctuaries vdth iniquities. 
 
 Therefore will God bring forth, from thee amidst, 1280 
 A fire that shall devour thee. Thou shalt be 
 A terrour, and shalt perish utterly. 
 
 Jehovah is in judgement terrible. 
 When him I heard, my bowels shook, . , my lips 
 Quivered, and rottenness was in my bones ; 1285 
 
 They trembled under me, and for the day 
 Of tribulation groaned my inmost soul. 
 
 O terrible in judgements ; thou in wrath 
 Eememberest mercy. Wherefore waxst thou hot 
 'Gainst Man seduced ? Ah — wherefore should the Foe 
 Say, that for mischief thou revealedst him ? 1291 
 
 Jehovah : thou art God, and thou wilt be 
 Gracious to whom thou wilt, to whom thou wilt 
 Be merciful. Jehovah, God of gods, 
 Gracious, and merciful — long-suffering — 1295 
 
 Bounteous of truth, and goodness, laying up 
 Mercy for thousands, and forgiving aU 
 
256 THE BOOK OF ENOCH. 
 
 Iniquity, transgression, sin ; and thou 
 
 Wilt not excuse the sinner, visiting 
 
 The sire's iniquity upon the child, 1300 
 
 Unto the generation third, and fourth. 
 
 I ever in Jehovah will rejoice, 
 In Grod, my Saviour, ever wiR exult — 
 Jehovah, the Almighty, is my strength, 
 And I vriU trust in him for evermore. 1305 
 
 For of his Bounty he created man. 
 
 And Enoch left a "Widow, and her name 
 Was Edna, and she dwelt in Armon with 
 Seth's household. Calm was Edna in her grief. 
 If grief it were that, in the certitude 1310 
 
 Of Enoch's immortality, rejoiced. 
 Nor was she lonely. With her Son was she, 
 Methuselah ; and many Sons, and Daughters 
 Beside surrounded her, a numerous tribe — 
 Ay, and beneath her heart she bare a Babe 1315 
 
 Unborn, and when her days of travail closed. 
 The Mother in her Infant's face beheld 
 The shadow of her smUe. Then on her heart 
 She pressed the Child, and named her from herself — 
 She called her Edna. And the Daughter grew, 132ft 
 
 As Hke to her in nature as in name, 
 In every feature like,, in stature like. 
 Gesture, and act, and attitude of grace. 
 And so her heart was cheered for Enoch gone. 
 By this the living Pledge he left behind, 1325 
 
 His Testament to her, as was his Book 
 Unto the B.ace of Men ... a Word, not dead 
 As that is unto many, but with life 
 StUl breathing, glowing, beautiful and fair. 
 
 And Seth did build two Pillars by the tombv 1330 
 
 Of Adam — by that altar- tomb he built them, 
 
TEANSLATION OF ENOCH. 257 
 
 And them inscribed witli old tradition true. 
 
 Stern Cain spake to his Mother, while she wept ; 
 ' Sin was of thy conception, Death of mine.' 
 Per Cain had smitten Abel as they worshipped ; 1335 
 
 Since God accepted Abel's sacrifice. 
 And Cain's rejected. Firstlings of the flock 
 Meek Abel offered, first-fruits of the ground 
 Cain. For Cain said : ' The Lord of Ufa was Lord 
 Of earth — one God breathed spirit into man, 1340 
 
 And brooded o'er the void of formless earth. 
 Sent he not cold, and heat, and stubborn soil 
 Of culture difficult, and pain of toil, 
 Sickness, and sorrow, and infirmity 
 
 Of flesh, whence evil, and remorse, and fear ? ' 1345 
 
 — So to appease vindictive Deity, 
 He offered of his works, that he might heal 
 In them what needed labour, and caused grief. 
 But Abel's prayer was to the God of Love, 
 "Who chastened thus the creature, that the soul 1350 
 
 Might be made perfect, and the will renewed ; 
 Which else would die of ire, by God consumed 
 In mercy, lest worse evU all destroy. 
 Willing, life offered he to him who gave, 
 Submitting to the Chastener, even to death, 1355 
 
 So he might be redeemed, and manhood saved. 
 Such the discourse they held ; but Cain was wroth. 
 And rose against his brother, smote, and slew. 
 
 Then spake to Cain Jehovah — ' Where is Abel, 
 Thy brother ? ' And he answered, ' I know not : 1360 
 
 Am I my brother's keeper ? ' — Then God said : 
 ' What hast thou done ? Voice of thy brother's blood 
 Cries from the ground to me. Accursed of earth : 
 Whose mouth has opened to receive his blood . . 
 Thy brother's blood from thy unrighteous hand ; 1365 
 
 Now when the ground thou tiUest, it henceforth 
 
25S THE BOOK OF JNOCH. 
 
 Shall not yield of her strength to thee ; become 
 
 A fugitive, and wanderer in the earth.' 
 
 Then Cain Jehoyah answered : ' Puiiishment 
 
 Like this is mightier far than I can bear ; 1370 
 
 Exiled from face of human earth, and thine, 
 
 A fugitive, and wanderer, whoso 
 
 Shall find will slay me.' But Jehovah said : 
 
 'Vengeance seven-fold on him that slayeth Cain.' 
 
 And of his will in this straightway a sign- 1375 
 
 Miraculous appointed. From the wild 
 
 The savage Steed he called, and on its mane 
 
 Laid his almighty hand, and it was tamed ; 
 
 Then on its shoulders placed the fugitive : 
 
 In fear he crouched upon the horse's neck ; 1380 
 
 But the Compassionate raised then his head, 
 
 And, touching thus his brow, left there a trace 
 
 Of wonderous power, the fingers of a God. 
 
 So, from the presence of the Cherubim, 
 
 "Went forth sad Cain, and in the land of Naid 1385 
 
 Dwelt, east of Eden ; father of a race. 
 
 And Adam knew again his Wife, who bare 
 A Son, and called him Seth ; for G-od to her 
 Another had appointed in the stead 
 
 Of Abel, whom Cain slew. And this is he 1390 
 
 On whom the Book of Enoch was bestowed. 
 Who built these Pillars, and these Words inscribed. 
 
 EKD or EI&HTH BOOK. 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 The Book of Enoch read, the Monarch's soul 
 "Was solaced. ' Let us hence,' he cried : ' I mil 
 Once more look on the City which I built ; 
 Tet not to pamper pride, but smite it down. 
 Heart-wounded with remorse. Thou shalt behold — r> 
 
 Thou shaJt support me. I have not the strength 
 To go alone ; the abiding fortitude. 
 To contemplate how vain was all my toil, 
 The labour of my hands, and of my soul. 
 Prophet of God : thou shalt hear my voice ; 10 
 
 My spirit shall repose on thine. Keport 
 My words unto the people ; they may be 
 Eich by my loss, and in my folly wise.' 
 ' Amen ;' said Noah : and they went along. 
 
 Prom Eden's HiU four Elvers are derived ; 15 
 
 The consecrated Garden of the Lord 
 Their sacred Pountain boasts ; each eedared aisle 
 It waters, myrtle porch, and verdant shrine, 
 In that primeval temple, holier far, 
 
 Eicher, more beautiful than Solomon's. 20 
 
 Nor other temple did Jehovah own, 
 In these first ages of the world of man. 
 
 By the Pourth Stream, the vassal of his rule. 
 The Monarch shaped his melancholy course : 
 Whatever realm it wandered, homaged him ; 25 
 
 How famous each, and all. — 'Twas his renown 
 Which gave to them a soul, and bade them live ; 
 
 s 2 
 
260 THE PTRAMIS. 
 
 Who now scarce lives himself; whose nature is 
 
 Degraded to the perishable brute. 
 
 The King went on : they followed silently. _ 30 
 
 — Soon, at the city gates, they overtook 
 
 Zateel, and Tamiel entering ; who, behiad 
 
 The people, lingered in desire, and fear, 
 
 "Wishing, yet dreading, to remain with them. 
 
 The Monarch, and the Favoured of the Lord. 35 
 
 The portalled arch magnific entered now. 
 Whose massy gates were made for giant throngs, ' 
 And on the enormous hiage were now thrown back ; ' 
 
 Left by the panic-hurried multitude. 
 
 Unfolded, wide displayed ; like a huge book," 40 
 
 A dead magician's volume vast of page : 
 — (With their companions, diversely disposed, : 
 Shaming the brazen gates of Babylon 
 In their excess of number, and of size :) — 
 Behold, the pavement of the expanded street 45 
 
 They tread ; a populous solitude, now thronged, 
 Now empty : for each man within his house 
 Harboured his fear, nor once reverted look. 
 Dreading again that Monarch's countenance, 
 And hearing his approaching step, in thought, 50 
 
 Following hard on each apprehensive heel. 
 SUence was conscious of his presence ; yea. 
 She deepened as she felt it, and became 
 Thrice hushed — thrice lonely Solitude became. 
 Silence of Solitude seemed nurse ; and stilled, 55 
 
 Even as a mother w,otdd a sleeping chUd, 
 Its recent slumber to profounder rest ; 
 And, like a mother,. on surrounding things, 
 Inanimate,, or human, quietude. 
 
 As with a frown significant, imposed. 60 
 
 .. —On the broad pavement of the expanded way, 
 Were heard not their feet-echoes. . Stealthily 
 They walked ; and street, and square, and every high 
 
THE CITY. 261 
 
 Locality of the metropolis, 
 
 Did visit, and each edifice sublime. 65 
 
 The traveller from Babylon, or Eome, 
 
 Had marvelled, in. the palmiest days of each, 
 
 Had such a city for his survey been. 
 
 Arch, column,. monument, and pontifice, 
 
 Palace, and garden,, temple, and theatre, 70 
 
 Were there for him to question, and admire. 
 
 'Twas noon : and the hot sun shone on the stone ; 
 And aU the capitol, as molten glass, 
 Eeflected its own glory on every hand. 
 Then to the Palace of his pride, but now 75 
 
 Of his humility, the Monarch led 
 The solemn way. Shrunk back on either side 
 The menials, thus surprised, with awe ; and each 
 Interchanged with his fellow eager looks. 
 — The spiry staircase now ascended he ; 80 
 
 Through lofty hall, by ample corridor. 
 And mUe-long gallery, he went : then, roamed 
 The vacant presence chamber, rooms of state. 
 Titanic in dimension ; as vied art 
 
 With nature, seeking to distend herself 85 
 
 To her god-made capacity ; superb. 
 And sumptuous, and with ornament enriched. 
 With piUar, and with statue : swelliag high. 
 In alabaster multiplicity, 
 
 To a wide ceiling, like a firmament, 90 
 
 Moving in constant revolution o'er. 
 Showering down perfumes, and sweet waters ; as 
 By subtle magic. On a gorgeous couch 
 Eeposed the Sorceress ; in as gorgeous robes 
 She lay, magnificent iu slumber. Still 95 
 
 She slept, with heat meridian sore oppressed. 
 And study of strange charm. Her indoor craft, 
 While all the people were gone forth the gates ; 
 Eegal in her seclusion, seldom seen, 
 
262 THE FTEAMIS. 
 
 "Wild invocations Amazarali spun, 100 
 
 The mother of the king. • He saw her thus, 
 
 And blessed her, in the hope that God ere long 
 
 "Would cause her to repent. He waked her not, 
 
 And BO departed. On the Terrace he 
 
 Perth issued, and the pendant Gardens, built 105 
 
 Ajch above arch, fair paradises : thence. 
 
 Dilated in wide circuit, saw, beneath. 
 
 The spacious City ; saw with other eyes 
 
 Than once, and wept : then hastened from the view ; 
 
 And, with precipitate return, regained 110 
 
 The threshold of the dome. Away — away, 
 
 TJnto the Temple of the Pyramis. 
 
 Beyond the extreme of yon suspended Bridge, 
 
 Ascends the Pile stupendous. Now, the stream 
 
 Surmounted, they arrived at its broad base, 115 
 
 "Where those earthquake-defying foundations delved 
 
 That bore. the astounding fabric. Them about, 
 
 A Temple, like a walled square, inclosed 
 
 An ample area. At the foot, behold, 
 
 A Man of giant stature, and huge limb, 120 
 
 Eecumbent, scaled with his ambitious eye 
 
 The punctual summit of the ascending spire, 
 
 Till it distinguished through the crystal tube, 
 
 "With exquisite distinction, the nice point 
 
 That tapered into air, like air itself. 125 
 
 — Alas ; his look was melancholy ; bent 
 
 To earth, dejected ; when returned from that 
 
 Sufficing, soul-dissatisfying theme. 
 
 He saw the Monarch now, and rose in haste, 
 But straight assumed his re-collected state, 130 
 
 And stood erect in proud equality, 
 Barkayal — the transcendent Architect. 
 Drawing his purple robe about his loins. 
 Displaying in his hand his gold-leaved book ; 
 Instant he 'gan to sketch his vast conceits, 135 
 
THE CITY. 263 
 
 Creations whicb alone his mind might dare. 
 He was the Founder of the Pyramis. 
 
 Art vaunteth ever. Enter ye within. 
 The enormous porch of that stupendous fane, 
 Co-eteme temple of the pyramis, l^O 
 
 That had beginning, but no end shall have : 
 Such was the builder's hope, whose large heart heaved 
 For more than diuturnity, to him. 
 And his creations. In those days, man's life 
 Had that extent, and term. Existence mere 145 
 
 Of corruptible body, then, surpassed 
 That of ethereal! est spirit now ; 
 If her hereafter be but in the fame 
 Of deeds, or words, or silence — wisely timed ; 
 For 'tis occasion maketh nobler act 150 
 
 Of noble thought, though act extern be none ; 
 (Witness the seven days' silence during which 
 Lamech affliction bore ; then cursed his birth, 
 As if to prove how hard what he had borne. 
 And, by impatience, illustrate how vast 155 
 
 The patience he displayed when he was dumb.) 
 — Let me not wrong the bubble, though they bruit, 
 It breaketh evermore, and mortal end 
 The most undying reputation hath. 
 
 Do we not ken the blind old Man of Greece, 160 
 
 No shadow, through the unsubstantial mist 
 Of thrice a thousand years ? Tea, liveth not 
 Solomon in his wisdom even yet. 
 Only his foUies dead ? Or, more remote, 
 The Shepherd who, upon no oaten stop, 165 
 
 Declared, yet with simplicity divine. 
 The sempiternal Origiu, and Source 
 Of this green earth, and yon cerulean sky ; 
 Do we not know the meek man, and the brave. 
 Lawgiver, warriour, prophet, priest, and king ? 170 
 
 Of the Progenitours of human race, 
 
264 THE PYEAMIS. 
 
 "We know the name, and where they dwelt, and how 
 
 ^rect they stood in regal innocence. 
 
 Their free, and happy state, and fatal lapse. 
 
 Tea, Fame outdnreth worlds. "Waters may sweep 175 
 
 Over the countenance of the peopled globe ; 
 
 And aU that hath an heritage therein, 
 
 Choke Chaos up ; yet she shall record have. 
 
 That of the hoar world shall the auhurn teach, 
 
 Who were thereof the patriarchs, and the chief, 180 
 
 And their familiar history preserve : 
 
 This doth the theme of our momentous song 
 
 Attest. Nay ; "War shall be in Heaven, and Angels 
 
 Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky 
 
 In ruin, and combustion, down to hell ; 185 
 
 And Fame shall find a favourable Spirit, 
 
 Content celestial bowers to quit awhile. 
 
 On mission to advise astonished' Man 
 
 Of great Messiah's work, and victory. 
 
 II. 
 
 Entered within the porch of that great fane, 190 
 
 The Seven lingered not : whom to repeat 
 By name, for aid of memory, were these ; 
 The Man of God, with Japhet, Shem, and Ham, 
 The Scribe, and young Zateel, and, finally, 
 Ma,jestic Samiasa. He sublime, 195 
 
 His right hand perpendicularly raised, 
 Stood in commanding attitude, whose will 
 "Was felt, not spoken ; while they entered, one 
 By one, beneath the massy, and lofty arch 
 Of those huge gates idolatrous, designed 200 
 
 Por giant worshippers to underpass 
 In their erect audacity. Anon, 
 
 Crouching, their pride proved false, degraded straight 
 Their bodies to the ground ; their nature not 
 
ABON, XKD AMAZAEAH. 265 
 
 More prostrate than before, which could not feel 205 
 
 In personal aim, and man's coUective force, 
 
 The littleness of individual mind. 
 
 — Oh, paradox, ill understood ; now learn,' 
 
 How fatal if ill understood, ill known. 
 
 — What they adored, i' the centre of the porch, 210 
 
 On its vast pedestal, appeared to fill 
 
 The illimitable expanse of that broad dome. 
 
 With its immense proportions ; and pervade, 
 
 As with a presence supernatural, 
 
 The circumambient space, with the vride curve 215 
 
 Of each elaborate lineament, and limb. 
 
 Tremendous Idol ; miracle of art ; 
 
 When, like the body, mind gigantic was ; 
 
 And of its genius the creations such. 
 
 But they who enter now, degrade not thus 220 
 
 The temple of the soul. One only glance 
 (Of pity) on the monstrous image thrown. 
 They pass : but Samiasa hurries by, 
 With look averted ; and, arrived within 
 The interiour of the temple — how he wept : 225 
 
 Tea, at the altar's foot he lay, and wept. 
 Even like a child ; and wished the innocence 
 Might, with the weakness, of a child return. 
 
 • Great Seth — sire of my sires — down on my soul 
 Thy spirit broods ; descending like the dew 230 
 
 On Ardis, neighbour of the sky, whose brow 
 Is in thin air, as spirit pure, and where 
 None but pure spirits can live. Oh, I have heard 
 Aden, my father, speak of thee ; and how 
 Erst he could breathe in the rare ether, with 235 
 
 The sons of Grod, thine ofispriag, himself one : 
 Then he would weep, and wish he might return. 
 Strange meat had made him gross, and flesh subdued. 
 Once, awed, and wearied with the upward way, 
 
268 THE PTEAMIS. 
 
 He gained the summit ; hj the Brethren hailed ; 240 
 
 But found the aii of fluid too refined, 
 
 And would have slept. They told him it was death. 
 
 And hurried him, dissolved with sleep, and dread, 
 
 Midway down Armon. There awhile he sate. 
 
 And threw his locks aback, and laved his eyes, 245 
 
 As from a trance recovering. Then he fled, 
 
 Through fear he fled. 
 
 ' Eemorse consumed his heart. 
 As in a crater smouldering tiU it burst. 
 And the hot lava overflowed his lips. 
 
 Then he would curse his being, and his birth ; 250 
 
 But chiefly that sad hour, when his charmed eye, 
 As with the beauty of an adder's skin. 
 Dazed, and inchanted ; by the radiant pride 
 Of Amazarah smitten, and transfixed ; 
 Slumbered upon her form majestical, 255 
 
 As in a dream. The very atmosphere 
 Wherein she moved was visionary ; seemed 
 To float around her, in the wavy folds 
 Of an etherpal mantle, made of less 
 
 Than gossamer, and wrought within a woof 260 
 
 I"airer than that whereof the delicate beams 
 Of the pale moon are woven on the spray ; 
 And of all hues, each interposed with light. 
 And shade, harmoniously mutable, 
 
 Wherein, as in a prism, were full displayed, - 265 
 
 Voluptuous form, and motion exquisite. 
 Her then the beauty of youth adorned : age since 
 Hath taken somewhat of her loveliness, 
 But left her might, her majesty untouched, 
 All puissant, and imperial. On her mien 270 
 
 My filial eye would gaze, as on some strange 
 Sublimity, aye-wonderful, and wild. 
 Use levelled not, nor knowledge did abate. 
 When, in the novelty of her approach, 
 
ADOK, AND AMAZAEAH. 267 
 
 She blazed upon my father's speU-bound view, 275 
 
 O'ershadowing, how potential must have been 
 
 Her beauty, and her pride. Forgive him, God : 
 
 Thou whom the beauty of holiness delights ; 
 
 Him pardon, that, with other beauty, he 
 
 Misused the faculties divine of love, 280 
 
 And admiration, whence the soul ascends, 
 
 From her terrestrial seat, to Heaven, and Thee. 
 
 ' The sun was on that day only less radiant 
 Than man's bright soul, when first breathed into Adam, 
 Pure emanation from great Deity. 285 
 
 They said, of his superiour glory then. 
 That much he owed to her, who boasted rule 
 O'er the curbed elements. 
 
 ' A festival 
 It was, and she the queen. The tuneful sons 
 Of Jubal, in fuU chorus, celebrate 290 
 
 How rose the primal city, proudly called 
 From the first son of the first fratricide, 
 City of Enos in the Land of Naid — 
 And built the wall of that partition up, 
 Which aliens brotherhood, and leaves to fear 295 
 
 No bond but self-defence, that consecrates 
 The deed of bloody baptizing it anew 
 Heroic "War ; instead of its own name, 
 Murther of brethren — parricide — and worse. 
 They wreathed a crown of laurels round her brows, 300 
 And danced about her till they madly reeled, 
 As with the fumes of wine. Then haughtily 
 She rose, and by her mystic skill she sware, 
 That him who dared her fearful beauty woo. 
 She would make monarch of a capitol 305 
 
 Than Enos nobler far, and to each soul 
 He should be as a god. Pride burned within 
 My father's heart, and to his lips it leapt. 
 O credulous — yet to resign the faith 
 
268 IHE PTEAMIS. 
 
 In the great God of Seth— the Only-True. 3 1 
 
 ' Fame had reached Ardis, eloquent of all 
 The beauty of Cain's daughters, and the arts, 
 And arms of that excelling progeny. 
 Now they their skiey communings forsook. 
 And fell to keen discourse on what they heard, 315 
 
 Comparing woman in the vale with her 
 Upon the mountain top. 
 
 ' Cain's daughter sang, 
 "Was voluble, and graceful in the dance ; 
 Men worshipped, and of her were giants bom ; 
 Air burned about her, and fierce passion raged 320 
 
 At her least eye-glance. 
 
 ' Like a. thought devout, 
 Daughter of Ardis, wert thou in^thy bower 
 Of delicacy shrined. Who listened there, 
 Had heard the Mother prattling to the Children 
 Tales of their Father, and low-breathed numbers, 325 
 
 Like the sequestered stock-dove's brooding murmur, 
 FuU of maternal tenderness — the burthen, 
 The gladness of that Sire's return at even. 
 When he should take the sweet Boy from her bosom, 
 Or on his Daughter's head let fall the tear, 330 
 
 The purest that can fall from human eye ; 
 While, quiet in her bliss, she should await 
 The sweet embrace ; and after, on his breast 
 Eeelined, from his meek lips receive account 
 What knowledge, wisdom, truth, the Sons of God 335 
 
 Had won from large discourse on loftiest themes. 
 Or by the elders of the Brethren taught. 
 Or from Angelic ministry derived. 
 — Anon, the sun went down ; their hearts first bowed 
 In worship pure, then folded each to each, 340 
 
 In calm repose ; . . the stars watched over them.' 
 
FOTJNDIWa OF THE OITY. 269 
 
 III. 
 
 Here Samiasa paused — but all were stiU. 
 Soon his emotion flowed in speech again. 
 
 ' Bright was the bridal — gorgeous the array — 
 Tride stretched her stature to the firmament — 345 
 
 Tears fell irom heaven, and the sun mourned in gloom. 
 But she, who erewhUe vaunted power to bid 
 The Angel of the Sun attire himself 
 With radiance new, feigned now he veiled his beams, 
 That the surpassing glory of her pomp 350 
 
 Might be itself, alone : — while some pronounced 
 That his diminished head he hid in shame. 
 And the heavens wept to see themselves outdone. 
 
 ' And the Queen's word went forth. ' Bmld ye the city ; 
 Lay the foundations deep, and wide.' What hosts 355 
 Obeyed the magical command. 'Twere long 
 To tell what tracts they passed, what hardships bore ; 
 Sustained by faith in her unearthly claims, 
 The thousands journeyed forth, and, on the way. 
 Increased. 
 
 ' Dtjdaei : — from his orient gate, 360 
 
 Went forth the sun, and did his task in heaven. 
 Seasons returned ; and morn, and eve ; and, on 
 The dusky forehead of the night, appeared 
 A single star, her only coronet : 
 
 Ere long the flowers of heaven all budded out, 365 
 
 Making of it a paradise indeed. 
 For the meek Moon to walk abroad in — meek. 
 And mighty in her vow of chastity, 
 By virtue of which she sways the myriad floods. 
 But thou unto the mighty, or the meek, 370 
 
 Madest answer none ; nor moved by gentleness. 
 Nor wakened save by Nature's wrath. The stars 
 Have holiest service to perform ; and day 
 Doth utter knowledge unto day, and night 
 
270 THE PTEAMIS. 
 
 To night. The language of all worlds is their' s ; 375 
 
 Their Toice throughout the universe is heard. 
 
 To thee they spake ia vara : for thou wert deaf, 
 
 And a deep sleep had sealed thy vision up, 
 
 And silence hrooded o'er thee — Autre vast. 
 
 And idle ; unless, waking once an age, 380 
 
 Nature, outwearied with protracted rest. 
 
 Did start from dreamy slumber, and pronounce. 
 
 With the loud clarion of the full-voiced wind, 
 
 A marvel, and tremendous mystery, 
 
 An omen, and an oracle to man, 385 
 
 Praught with most urgent meaning, and profound 
 
 As her own indefatigable soul. 
 
 Working in secret every where, and aye. 
 
 ' Man's heart hath heard it now ; and thou must hear. 
 Awake, Dudael, and rejoice ; for thou 390 
 
 No more art solitary, waste, and void ; 
 Mother of many children thou, who wert 
 So desolate, and barren. Hearst thou not 
 Echo of axe . . the voice of industry . . 
 The song . . the laugh . . the shout . . the gush of springs 395 
 From the new-opened quarry, where the rose 
 Flourisheth as in Eden ? 
 
 ' Now — behold. 
 The City of the Desart, and the Wild. 
 Deep its broad base descends, and far in air 
 Uplifted cUmb the walls. Massy the gates, 400 
 
 And manifold the streets. Hot lacked there sound. 
 And sight ; concert of numbers, and parade. 
 To celebrate the finished work. Nor since 
 Hath bardic praise been wanting ; to report 
 How, to the harmony of harp, it rose, 405 
 
 Exhaled from earth by charm of magic verse, 
 Creature of music, and the child of spells. 
 
 'And, verily, the social state of man 
 Hath music in its soul, and is compact 
 
rOTJNDIlfO or THE CITY. 271 
 
 Of harmony. Q-ood government, and law 410 
 
 Are a most holy diapason : where 
 Kight hlends with might, and strength its octave hath 
 In weakness, and all discords are deft aids,. 
 By contrast, to enhance the dulcet strain ; 
 As peace is most deHghtM after war, 415 
 
 And the sun's hrightest beams the storm creates. 
 — Tet, in the state of innocence, I wot, 
 Man to himself had been sole government, 
 And all the law, under the Most High Grod ; 
 - The bitter means in the prevenient end 420 
 
 Absorbed, and melody been self-evolved. 
 In independence of its opposite ; 
 And union, and obedience needed not 
 A marble zone for bond of brotherhood, 
 Nor fear a place of refuge ; . . but the sky, 425 
 
 The boundless, the illimitable, alone 
 The sphere of duty, and of love prescribed : 
 No roof but heaven — Man's home the universe. 
 
 ' From Armon, and from Ardis, multitudes 
 Arrived ; curious, or fond of change ; or won 430 
 
 By manifold example, or report ; 
 Or wearied with ancestral piety, 
 Worst of the wicked, an apostate race. 
 Grief smote my father's soul ; and e'er his eye ] 
 To Ardis was exalted. Thereon now 435 
 
 Abideth not the good, and pleasant thing. 
 Brethren in unity together dwelling. 
 The dew deseendeth yet upon the hill, 
 And yet the blessing is commanded there. 
 Even life for evermore ; but none receive 440 
 
 The gift ; no human spirit is refreshed : 
 And he who wonld the ethereal life imbibe. 
 The flesh with abstinence must chasten long. 
 And live on thought, and quicken with much faith. 
 Farewell, thrice holy hill: farewell ; ferewell. 445 
 
272 THE PTEAMIS. 
 
 Thy pure delights, for earth's, I have exchanged ; 
 For fear from force, and fraud ; for cold contempt ; 
 The pride of Amazarah, and her scorn. 
 
 ' Eemorse had been sufficient to destroy 
 A spirit so susceptible, and high, 450 
 
 Convinced of errour ; deeper still her scorn 
 Did in his soul the torturing iron drive. 
 And, with intense corrosion, ate away 
 The life from out his heart. My father's words. 
 His memory, his lost inheritance, 455 
 
 Sate brooding ever on my. pregnant soul ; 
 That thence I know not what excelling schemes 
 Of restoration, and return xjonceived, 
 And man's transcendent operance to achieve 
 Original perfection. Pride enlarged 460 
 
 My heart — there proud imaginations made 
 Their procreant place, and thence compelled the world, 
 With winged words, tne seraphs of the soul, 
 Plumed for far flight, and summed for wonderous speed. 
 
 ' The Queen, who kenned the phrenzy in mine eye, 465 
 Inflamed my filial zeal. She blent her own. 
 Wild lawless daring with the excited hopes, 
 The audacious fancies of my sleepless soul ; 
 False notions from report, or from the lives 
 Of mere apostates gathered. , Hence, abused, 470 
 
 My faith was folly, watering the lands 
 Of speculation ; .whence but weeds might grow, 
 And at the root of thiags lay barrenness. 
 Wanting the mist divine, that from the ground 
 In Eden rose, and cherished herb, and flower. 475 
 
 ' The heart begets its like, and as the soil 
 The deed, or word it genders ; and itself 
 Eeflects the imaged miad, which, from without 
 And from within create, here substance finds, 
 Thence shadowy form abstracts ; consistence so 480 
 
 Assuming, such as its discourse, combined 
 
rOUNDING or THE CITT. 273 
 
 After tte manner of their interchange. 
 
 And like its food my mind became, my heart 
 
 Was desolate as that whereon it gazed. 
 
 This place how desolate — magnificent 485 
 
 In desolation. Filial sorrow thus 
 
 Congealed to stone — ^its tears were petrified. 
 
 Art, like a winter in the wilderness, 
 
 (Known to Dudael,) froze them as they fell ; 
 
 And raised this lofty mound, for the loud north 490 
 
 To sport with : like gaunt Death, when, with his mace, 
 
 (As Cain beheld in Hades,) the thronged soil 
 
 He smote o'er shuddering Chaos, and wrought on 
 
 A mole immense, bridging the way from heU. 
 
 This dome of desart-ice Art piled to him ; 495 
 
 His palace where he dwells in cold, and gloom, 
 
 The King of Terrours ; or his temple gate, 
 
 The God of Terrours — present though unseen. 
 
 Imperial in his lone sarcophagus, 
 
 Behold my father's sepulchre. And she, 500 
 
 Whose scorn had withered him in early age. 
 
 Lauded my filial piety ; and proud 
 
 Barkayal triumphed in his cunning work, 
 
 That of a man could make a deity : 
 
 None but a god might sleep in such a dome, 505 
 
 An attribute of gods if slumber be. 
 
 ' I speak in scorn of my imaginings. 
 Not of his memory. Searcher of hearts : 
 Before thee mine I bare. Tet not to wrong 
 The wonderous builder, and his work though vain, 510 
 
 It did express a mystery ; how within 
 The womb of earth Hfe's hid foundations lay, 
 With death, and silence, and on high aspired 
 Past human vision, piercing into heaven, 
 Gruiding faith upward to the eternal home, 515 
 
 The immortal soul's abiding place with God. 
 
 T 
 
i7'4 THE PTBAMIS. 
 
 ' But my changed heart to Nature now would turn 
 !For solace rather : and within the deep 
 Capacious bosom of maternal earth, 
 
 Eepose the dust it loved,; in coniidence ' 520' 
 
 That she thereto would act a parent's part, 
 So that it should not perish, but be found 
 With a more radiant robe to swathe the soul. 
 The incorruptible, when Death shall die. 
 Meantime, let the grass whistle a shrill dirge 525 
 
 During the visitation of the gale ; 
 The cypress droop above it, and all flowers 
 Make odourous the bed of righteous men ; 
 And night, and morn, the dew fall on the sod. 
 Making it sweeter, and more beautiful, 530 
 
 These things are to the soul as to the eye : 
 Life mightier than Death, and claiming right 
 Even in his very sanctuary to. dwell ; 
 As though he were an alien, and throughout 
 The universe could claim no spot his own ; 585 
 
 Joy strong in grief; hope strongest in despair ; 
 Grave-blossoms both. Our sorrows oft excel 
 All joy in joy, as man were made for bliss. 
 And Earth would be an Eden, maugre all. 
 And, in despite of death and grief, would give 540 
 
 Grlimpses of Paradise returning yet, 
 And happiness ere long to be restored, 
 
 ' The work of pride advanced. Column, and stone, 
 E/Ose frequent ; and the garden bloomed aloft, 
 Aereal ; and the rebel wave was curbed, 545 
 
 O'erarched. The city, called from me by love 
 Paternal, felt my genius ; and I sought 
 To testify unto my father's shade 
 My gratitude, and make my name, and his. 
 Deserving a memorial so sublime. 550 
 
 Praise filled my mother's voice, and flattery 
 
THE SATTCTUAET. 275 
 
 Sweetened its pauses. Then my heart came home, 
 
 That had erewhile so spread itself abroad, 
 
 And self-love built a palace to the king. 
 
 As unto one who had well merited. 555 
 
 Men toiled for me, and their hearts sweated blood, 
 
 The second curse —man's own. How worse than Grod's ; 
 
 Who in his judgements yet is merciful, 
 
 And but the brow condemned. 
 
 ' Ere long, myself 
 Of higher strain than mortal man I deemed ; 560 
 
 And all the people answered, that ' two gods 
 Were only — He in Heaven, the Most High, 
 And on earth Samiasa — equal both.' 
 Above the circle of the sky had He 
 
 His dwelling ; and were rolled the massy clouds 565 
 
 His temple gates before. Earth's deity 
 Claimed worship also, and a votive dome : 
 And in the senseless idol presence dwelt. 
 Ubiquitous, divine. Then bled to me 
 The sacrifice ; and incense — would to heaven, 570 
 
 EoUing its fragrance thither, meant for man ; 
 And hymns were chaunted. Hark' — . 
 
 Even as he spake. 
 The priests within the holiest place were heard. 
 
 IV. 
 
 That blasphemy once heard with vain delight, 
 Now Samiasa bore not. The descent 575 
 
 To passage still more inward, instant, he 
 Crept, like a serpent, prostrate : then he clomb 
 The ascending plane, supported by his hands 
 'Gainst each low wall; so slight the indented notch 
 Meant to sustain the advancing foot, a stair 580 
 
 Of perilous construction, whose short step 
 
 t2 
 
276 THE PTEAMIS. 
 
 Escaped the adventurous tread. Before him went 
 
 His voice, so anxious he. The cavities, 
 
 With replication multitudinous 
 
 Eesounded, and awaked what hallowed bird 585 
 
 There cradled safe in local sanctity. 
 
 Arrived above, his lofty form obeyed 
 
 The humble entrance. Now that spacious court, 
 
 Entire of granite, him received. Prom wall 
 
 To wall extended, three enormous stones 590 
 
 Compose the roof with hieroglyphics graced ; 
 
 And, in the centre of that ample floor. 
 
 Ton huge sarcophagus, of marble hewn 
 
 Out of the solid rock, concealed the god, 
 
 "Whose heart is shrined in that surmounting vase 595 
 
 Of alabaster. There the king beholds 
 
 His father's visible heart ; yet not the less, 
 
 Having iirst dashed the intruding tear aside, 
 
 And stifled in his soul the filial groan, 
 
 Fulfils his aim. About the gorgeous tomb, 600 
 
 The priests perform the rite, and raise aloft 
 
 The vesper hymn, that to the crowd without 
 
 May seem of oracle the voice, that hails 
 
 The present god, within that sacred hall, 
 
 (Chamber of Beauty termed, and Mystery,) 605 
 
 Audient of worship, and to praise attent. 
 
 Back from his eye they shrunk astonished — back 
 Prom his bold voice, and attitude they fell. 
 
 ' Peace — peace — the god commands on whom ye call ; 
 Behold how abject. Pray to Him who chastens. 610 
 
 Him worship . . Him adore . . and not the chastened — 
 The Almighty, the Supreme, hath chastened me.' 
 
 ' And who is He ?' demanded the High Priest — 
 ' We know no god, nor gods, but thou, on earth, 
 And Adon, god in heaven, thy sire divine, 615 
 
 Prime founder of the City named from thee. 
 
THE SAKOTUAET. 
 
 277 
 
 Thou vainly in completion hadst rejoiced ; 
 
 Hence, jealousy conceiving, where he sits 
 
 Enthroned on Artnon o'er the Land of Streams, 
 
 Guardian, and god, the genius of the soil ; 620 
 
 In the rapt hour of thy presumption, -when 
 
 Thou, and thy people had forgotten him. 
 
 He made his being felt in voice from heaven, 
 
 And his first claim asserted in the doom 
 
 That cast thee to the deaart. Thine august 625 
 
 And mighty mother, for assurance, this 
 
 Learned in the visions of prophetic night, 
 
 "Wherein thy father's spirit visits her. 
 
 Nay — more : when hither she of him enquired. 
 
 In this his Sanctuary, where he sleeps 630 
 
 In most divine repose, she heard his voice. 
 
 And on the table of his heart beheld, 
 
 In sanguine characters incribed, the truth.' 
 
 ' Of Truth ye make a harlot,' said the king : 
 ' Adulteries ye do commit with her, 635 
 
 Abominations — oh, Eeligion, Truth : 
 Mad are ye made with flesh, and drunk with wine. 
 The Uncreated, and Invisible ; 
 The Grod of gods, the universal He, 
 
 By whom the pillars of the firmament 640 
 
 Were founded on the floods, and the firm earth 
 "Was stablished in the immensurable space, 
 "Uttered his potent voice, whose fiat called 
 The sun to instant birth, the moon, the stars. 
 And all the host of heaven, creatures of earth, 645 
 
 And man the lord of all ; and I became 
 Emptied of man — more wretched than the brute — 
 A brute with reason cursed, and wisely mad. 
 — He, on his throne above the heaven of heavens. 
 From his religious state, looked dovm, and saw 650 
 
 His arrogant creature, and denuded him 
 
278 THE PTEAMISi 
 
 Of all that made him proud, and smote his soul 
 
 With worse abasement than his body bore. 
 
 -r-Forth to the people whom ye have bewitched 
 
 With sorceries, and disenchant their souls. 655 
 
 Eorth — by the madness, and the misery, now 
 
 That rush back on my brain — my heart. (Awhile 
 
 Stay, my good angel : yet a little while 
 
 Ward off the desart-demon from my soul.) 
 
 By Earth, and Heaven, and Hell ; I charge you : — Earth 660 
 
 Whose barren breast I graze upon, from whose 
 
 Felicities I am an alien ; Heaven, . 
 
 Beneath whose terrible doom I suffer ; Hell, 
 
 That doth within me, like a cauldron, seethe. 
 
 And bubbles o'er my lips in this white foam — 665 
 
 Ha : the fierce phrenzy rushes on me. Make 
 
 Erom the volcanic overflow. — Forth — forth. 
 
 Crod he is God, and there is none beside.' 
 
 In terrour, and dismay, from him they fled, 
 Precipitate before him : awe, and fear 670 
 
 Urged them in safety down the perilous plane. 
 And madness guided — guarded him the while. 
 In his extreme pursuit. Eeturned within 
 The temple of the Idol, with a shout* 
 
 That shook it to its base, he called aloud 675 
 
 To Noah : 
 
 — ' Man of the Most Holy God : 
 Oh Prophet of Jehovah : with the sword 
 Of his indignant Jealousy, destroy 
 The liars, the adulterers — even they 
 Who do abomination with man's soul.' 680 
 
 By power supernal smit, at the Idol's foot 
 They fell, and bit the ground in sympathy 
 With his affliction, as his doom had fallen 
 Also on them. O infinite despair — 
 He writhed his limbs in pain, and tossed his arms 685 
 
THE SANCTTTABT. 279 
 
 Above his head, and ■with his clenched hands 
 Smote his hot brow, and cried, 
 
 ' Almighty Lord : 
 Eaiae them again, I am the sinner — I — 
 The liar, the adulterer — lied the lie. 
 
 And did the deed, that thou abhorreat most — 690 
 
 Behold even there the impious monument 
 Of wild, and weird rebellion — my bold pride, 
 And bad ambition. Satan : down to hell.' 
 
 So saying, on that monstrous idol he 
 Hung, in his maniac might ; and tugged, and strained, 695 
 Till o'er its pedestal it shook, it fell, 
 With a tremendous crash, in hideous wreck : 
 The while, with yell, and shout, he trampled it, 
 And, with his pulverising foot, destroyed 
 Its fine proportions, its fair symmetry ; 700 
 
 Pounding it limb by limb, and wrenching them 
 Apart with his strong hand — (such power he had 
 From heaven) — and thus exclaimed : 
 
 ' Down, Lucifer — 
 I who advanced do hurl thee from thy throne. 
 Consume thee in mine anger, immolate 705 
 
 Thee to the God of Jealousy, and Seth.' 
 
 The sun had set ; the sabbath of his soul 
 Had gone ; and stronger, and more strong, poured through 
 His heart, and brain, the influxes increased 
 Of fury, and savage impulse. Human pride, 710 
 
 Not by his fellow-man to be beheld 
 In his disgrace ; the human front erect. 
 Sublimely looking toward the promised heaven. 
 Changed for the earth-bound aspect of the brute ; 
 Stung him, as by the warriour's arm^d heel 715 
 
 The battle steed. Out at the gates with haste 
 He rushed ; and over the suspended bridge. 
 And through the silent city, . . as before 
 
280 THE PTHAMIS. 
 
 A populous solitude, . . whose habitants 
 
 Fear, and the hour had prisoned in their homes ; 720 
 
 For well they knew the time of his return. 
 
 Through their expanded streets, to the forlorn 
 
 Inhabitable desart, where he dwelt, 
 
 For his appointed season. And, as he 
 
 Passed in his lonely majjesty along, 725 
 
 He lifted up his voice, and cried aloud, 
 
 ' GrOD HE IS God, and thbeb is none beside.' 
 
 END OF NINTH BOOK. 
 
JUDGEMENT OF THE ELOOI). 
 
 ^art tfie Jfourtii. 
 NOAH. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 BOOK X. TO XII. 
 
 X. Palal, and Samiasa. Barkajal, the founder of the pyramids, again. Hherem, 
 and Amazarah : they descend into Hades. Samiasa, and Amazarah. Japhet's 
 Vision of the Consummation of all things. This he relates to Noah. The Tale of 
 Abel. Zateel, and Samiasa. Amazarah's horrible contract with the iDt'emal 
 powers. Invasion of the Mount of Paradise. The death, and burial of Methuse- 
 lah by an earthquake. Appearance of Enoch. Retreat of the Invaders.— XI. The 
 Kejeotion of Koah. Death of the Bephaim. Sunset— Angels in the Sun. Earth's 
 lamentation. Michael, Fhanuel and Uriel console her. Samiasa delivered up by 
 Phanuel to Hherem, demon of the brutes. Dudael. The Simoom, and the Sarsar. 
 Satan, and Azaziel. — XII. Azaradel. He conspires with the demons against Ama- 
 zarah, on condition of being assisted in his designs pn Edna. Samiasa's mysterious 
 doom. The entry of the animals into the ark. The Sitting of the Judgement in 
 Heaven ; — declared in a dream to IN'oah- Satan, and Azaziel. Cain. Windows of 
 Heaven. The Oath. Noah's last prayer. Entry of the Noachidae ioto the Ark. 
 Japhet deposits there his statues, and Shem " the Book of Enoch " Postdiluvian 
 idolatry, derivable, by abuse, from the first Works of Art. Elihu confides the Deca- 
 logue to the care of Ham^ being the two Tables said, in ancient tradition, to have 
 been preserved by him from the Flood, Paradise. The Cherubim. Conclusion. 
 
THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT OF THE FLOOD. 
 
 Thb Lay of LILITH'S SON; Dreamer of Dreams, 
 Seer of Visions, in the Morning Land. 
 
 Antient of Days : — led by thy Spirit, I heard 
 
 A voice within the Sepulchre : . . the voice 
 
 Of ages in the vaulted vestibule 
 
 Of the far Past ; in whose profound obscure 
 
 The night-bird uttereth her peculiar song, 5 
 
 Of joy or grief uncertain, and to both 
 
 Strangely attuned. Deep, sacred mysteries 
 
 Possessed those nameless old mythologists ; 
 
 And, in harmonious poem, they concealed 
 
 Falsehood, or truth sublime ; or turned to shape, 10 
 
 In gorgeous allegoric weed arrayed. 
 
 The sensual fancy . . to external form 
 
 Idolatrous . . yet, testifying so 
 
 Man's eleutherean essence, still expressed 
 
 A consciousness of Spirit, and a faith 15 
 
 In Being elevate. Her better forms 
 
 "Were transcripts exquisite of human thought, 
 
 And hence the human Spirit hallowed them ; 
 
 The links they were that joined high heaven with earth ; 
 
 Tlie greses by which man clomb upward stUl, 20 
 
284 KOAH. 
 
 In vision spoken into presence, made 
 In the Hd image of the poet's thought. 
 
 Oh, what a fall was theirs ; from what height fallen ; 
 Who maddened upon idols, in despite 
 Of better knowledge ; having heard the voice 25 
 
 Of God of old, his attributes beheld. 
 Thu? Israel in his latter days fell down : 
 Worse than the heathen he, who but adored 
 Man's virtue shadowed in the symbol so ; 
 But he the wood, and stone, and fed his soul 30 
 
 On ashes, and on carrion. Hence his thigh 
 The indignant prophet smote, and raised his hand, 
 And cried aloud, ' O earth ; earth ; earth. The Lord 
 Is the true God — He is the Living God. 
 Thou at His wrath shalt tremble ; and the gods, 35 
 
 That have not made the heavens, and the earth. 
 Shall perish from the earth, and from beneath 
 The heavens. He, by His power who made the world, 
 And by His wisdom stretched the curtain out 
 Of the cerulean firmament on high, 40 
 
 Hath been from everlasting, and shall be,' 
 
 Children of Ardis ; so fell ye, and lower. 
 Because from such height fallen, than they who looked 
 But with the fleshly eye on imagings 
 
 Of unembodied Eeason ; . . far beneath, 45 
 
 Who shaped them in ecstatic vision forth, 
 Or worshipped only as emblems. But than all 
 Fell deeper ye, beneath the lowest deep. 
 Who vainly in your own creations "hoped ; 
 Drunk with your own sweet fancies, as with wine. 50 
 
BOOK THE TENTH. 
 
 So witnessed Samiasa. But not now 
 
 The desart-doom opprest him, to the wild 
 
 Though he returned. "Within the solitude, 
 
 He sate him calmly down : for he had heard 
 
 The Word of God, from Enoch's scripture read, 5 
 
 And testimony to his Maker borne. 
 
 Seemed the doomed season was accomplished now. 
 
 And a man's heart to him again was given ; 
 
 StiU human consciousness with him remained. 
 
 A miracle it was — by miracle 10 
 
 His reason seemed preserved for wisest ends. 
 
 Fallen on his knees, he wept his gratitude 
 
 To Him in heaven — he wept his penitence ; 
 
 All night he wept, and aU. the morrow-morn. 
 
 And so was found of Palal. Nor was cold 15 
 
 The Sophist heart, when he remarked the change. 
 
 That had brought home, as earnest of its stay, 
 
 The mind of Samiasa, and sustained. 
 
 Much they rejoiced together. Palal, then. 
 
 Admonished thus the King, 
 
 ' Since it is so ; 20 
 
 Meet is it thou appear as man with man. 
 And doff these garments of the wilderness. 
 And go forth to the City.' 
 
 And so it was : 
 Por soon the Sophist fit provision made 
 For his restored Companion ; soon his locks 25 
 
 Of their exuberance were well excised. 
 
286 METHUSELAH. 
 
 And his wild beard in civil measure flowed. 
 
 His limbs be bathed, and smoothed his shaggy brows, 
 
 And by ablution on his form so wrought, 
 
 That none might recognii;e him, though beheld 30 
 
 But yesterday. And thus his mood was pleased. 
 
 That would in secret walk, a stranger there, 
 
 Where once he King had been. 
 
 And now he stood 
 Beside the Temple of the Pyramis ; 
 
 A ruin shunned by superstition, since 35 
 
 That memorable eve, when he o'erthrew. 
 With might insane, the Idol once adored ; 
 Thence desecrated deemed, and, as accursed. 
 By all deserted. All ? No : One there was, 
 Still faithful to that work of wonderous art ; 40 
 
 Barkayal. At the temple's foot again, 
 There Samiasa found him, now as then. 
 Again he scaled, with his ambitious eye, 
 The punctual summit of the ascending spire, 
 Till it distinguished through the crystal tube, 45 
 
 With exquisite distinction, the nice point 
 That tapered into air, like air itself. 
 And stiU his look was nielancholy, bent 
 To earth, dejected ; when returned from that 
 Sufficing, soul-dissatisfying theme. . 50 
 
 Awhile on the transcendent architect 
 Gazed Samiasa ; then to Palal cried : 
 
 — ' Behold my gorgeous temple. Seest thou not 
 
 The builder of the comprehensive fane. 
 
 For veneration multitudinous 55 
 
 Decreed ? Proud of his handy-work is he. 
 
 And feels therein exalted, eternized : 
 
 I, to whose pride contributed his art, 
 
 Humbled alone, see, in its loftiness. 
 
 What casts me into shade, shame, and contempt ; 60 
 
SAMIASA, AND BAEKATAX. 287 
 
 And, in its durability and strength, 
 
 Odious comparison, which makes me seem 
 
 But as an insect most ephemeral. 
 
 That buzzes in the noon around some oak. 
 
 And dies ere sunset, living, in good sooth, 65 
 
 A sunny Ufe, but brief; and, with much stir. 
 
 Attracting little notice, and less fame. 
 
 — How to the fading point his eyesight strains : 
 
 Think ye, that there whereto it aches, 'tis fixed ? 
 
 No — through the distance-abrogating lens ; 70 
 
 By which the delicate diflrusive touch. 
 
 Of vision exquisite, to the remote. 
 
 And punctual is applied ; within the deep 
 
 Of air expatiateth he, and finds 
 
 Space for free speculation : and, be sure, 75 
 
 That ever and anon his fancy rears 
 
 Some magic structure on the baseless wind ; 
 
 And, in the combinations of the clouds, 
 
 Orders of architecture new conceives. 
 
 And hopes, ere long, to raise the like on earth. 80 
 
 Hence, in imagination's mere excess. 
 
 All he hath done as nothing worth he scoma. 
 
 Measured with what he yet hath power to do ; 
 
 Or might have done, but for dull circumstance, 
 
 That thralled the outgoings of the plastic soul. 85 
 
 And, of a truth, within the Spirit of Man 
 
 Abides an instinct for the infinite. 
 
 Whatever from without the mind imbibes 
 
 Of substance, or of quality sublime, 
 
 Or beautiful, capricious accident, 90 
 
 Or attribute immutable ; howe'er 
 
 By fancy realized to intellect, 
 
 Or by imagination's power august 
 
 Made portion of the intellect : within 
 
 The Essence of our Being, in the Soul, 95 
 
 There is a standard, that all things sublime 
 
288 METHFSEliH. 
 
 Compares witli a suWimer arclietype, 
 
 Than human faculty is sentient of. 
 
 In nature's grandest works, or art of man — 
 
 Sea, sky, or mountain-:-city, or pyramid ; 100 
 
 And all things beauteous, with more beautiful, 
 
 Things bright, with brighter. ISTay, the Sun himself 
 
 Is dim before her ; for the Soul of man 
 
 Is of Jehotah most expressive Star, 
 
 Best Image of his glory. With herself 105 
 
 All things compareth she; and lo, all things 
 
 Are dwarfed in her supernal magnitude. 
 
 The mightiest is subdued, the loveliest shamed ; 
 
 And, in the flood of her effulgence, she 
 
 Doth merge the glorious, and magnificent. 110 
 
 What then hath Earth to sate her appetite, 
 
 Or aught that's visible, even heaven itself? 
 
 She sighs for miracles, yet yearneth still. 
 
 And is herself the one great miracle. 
 
 Therefore is Man not what he is, mere clay, IK 
 
 Because he feels he is so, and compares 
 
 Himself with something nobler in himself ; 
 
 Whence such sublime ability to feel. 
 
 After this wonderous fashion ; and to endure 
 
 Patient the indignation, that would else 120 
 
 Consume this frail, and earthly tenement. 
 
 To a white vrreck of ashes ; or smite down 
 
 This cunning architecture — (caU it such) — 
 
 To ruin hoar, the Deity within 
 
 Departed long from the neglected shrine.' 125 
 
 Thus argued Samiasa : but knew not 
 That then Barkayal, from that apex point. 
 Was looking into heavenly depths, beyond 
 Unarmed vision, at a Stranger Star, 
 
 Which, from its most remote appearance, he 1 30 
 
 At first perceived ; and now, with horrour filled, 
 
SAklASA, AND BAEKATAI. 289 
 
 Upon the Cometary Omen gazed, 
 
 With vision so intense as, from its orb's 
 
 Most inner centre, he, as from its heart, 135 
 
 Would drag its secret mystery forth to day. 
 
 Thus argued Samiasa — and pursued 
 ' Herein consists man's dignity ; hereot 
 His reason is compact ; and he combines 
 Two worlds within, and in himself includes 
 The Universe. Empowered hereby is he, 140 
 
 To climb to each remote intelligence ; 
 And send his daring mind on errand strange, 
 Into the Heaven of heavens, before the throne 
 Of the Most High, asserting there the right 
 Of his immortal spirit to converse, 145 
 
 Its heritage, as Son of God — as Man. 
 Tet overween ye not — nor let the pride 
 Of man rebel : For God is jealous — God — 
 (Speaking as man must speak, whose slavish words 
 Have constant reference to sublunar things, 150 
 
 Whereto degraded man degrades his thought. 
 Even when its ravished speculations rise 
 To holiest objects, such as angels love,) — 
 Is jealous of his Unity, and Name. 
 
 — Ay, God is very jealous : and we may, 155 
 
 By that which deifies us, be destroyed ; 
 By our own spirits may we be destroyed, 
 And they imbruted, falling short, even thus, 
 In their probation of the Perfect One ; 
 With self-esteem well satisfied, well pleased, IGO 
 
 With their own proper excellence content, 
 No further emulous of good, or great : 
 Building thereon presumption flatulent. 
 Until the wind escape, and all be found 
 Mere emptiness ; not from the Spirit of God 165 
 
 Eenewed, who, in the beginning, filled the void, 
 
290 MUTHrSELAH. 
 
 Gloomy, and waste, with light, and life, and form. 
 
 ■7-This was the sitt ©f Lucifer — of Man ; 
 
 The mortal sin, parent of Death, and Woe — 
 
 "Whence Doubt was bom. The soul that left her source, 170 
 
 And would be as a god unto herself, 
 
 PeU backward on the body for support, 
 
 (But found it none,) . , and asked of it to bear 
 
 Her upward in her far imaginings. 
 
 Alas ! even as the spider doth within 175, 
 
 King's palaces, should she have kept the hold 
 
 That she had taken with her hands on heaven : 
 
 But she hath let her purchase go ; and, now, 
 
 The ethereal dome is not within her reach : 
 
 And He, who raised her there before, again 180 
 
 WUl not, who only can. Unless there be 
 
 Hope in the words which doomed the infernal snake ; 
 
 And wherein I should verily believe, • 
 
 But for the extreme iniquity of man, 
 
 Whence fear seems only just, and dread of doom. 185 
 
 — These are no mysteries to the sons of Seth. 
 
 Paradisaical aspirings they 
 
 Are conscious of: the high- wrought ecstasies 
 
 Of Taney, which had borne the soul aloft 
 
 In Eden ; now, within this sensual sty, 190 
 
 Disturb her feathers only, fluttering 
 
 Pollution on her wings, till clogged therewith, 
 
 Broken, and trammelled to the soil. Alas — 
 
 How heavily her breathings come, and go : 
 
 Poor bird — struggling with death, tiU, overcome, 195 
 
 On her an intermittent slumber seize ; 
 
 And so she dies — a second death : — Or, if 
 
 Peeling the wiU to soar, and having power. 
 
 Leaves her nest like the Swallow, but returns 
 
 Anon, circling some pool, already tired 200 
 
 With her short flight, and longing for the time 
 
 When, on its sedgy banks she shall decline, 
 
HHEEEM, AND AMAZASAH. 291 
 
 And ease her passage to the torpid depth 
 
 Upon the pliant reed ; so winter's frost 
 
 Shall nip her not : — Or, greatly daring, scorns 205 
 
 Eternal barriers ; and, within the clouds, 
 
 She hangs presumptuous eyrie, and doth 
 
 Abominations there ; unto herself 
 
 Making a brothel universe, which she 
 
 Deems co-extensive with eternity, 210 
 
 And space, and time, and reigns imperial in.' 
 
 II. 
 
 While thus he spake, in Samiasa's heart, 
 "Waked pride misdeeming, exultation vain, 
 That needed yet the scourge, erelong to fall 
 And teach still bitterer truth ; and scant he knew 215 
 
 How to the flesh had spirit been subdued — 
 And soon the Sophist, in that Capitol, 
 Found demonstration of his sensuous creed. 
 In men, and in their ways. Por not, like him, 
 (As late we witnessed in the Wilderness,) 220 
 
 Foul Hherem had ia penitence retired. 
 But held on Earth his triumph, and in Hell. 
 — Boast of his high exploit (for such his vaunt). 
 O'er such supreme intelligence as shone 
 In that great Monarch, wisest fiends seduced, 225 
 
 The like success to win, to stoop to brute ; 
 That they might soar, "by bad ambition stung, 
 To realty o'er spiritual eminence. 
 For erst had they, in their rebellious guile, 
 The sons of Adam moved to be as gods, 230 
 
 But now sought to einbrute, and so subdue 
 To their dominion ; ay, and ever since. 
 His postdiluvian children, with gross art, 
 Have sunk to Nature sensual, and yet sink ; 
 Whence, not from knowledge, but from ignorance 235 
 
 r2 
 
292 METHUSELAH. 
 
 Eedemption hatli been needed, and yet is. 
 
 — So went they forth, these devils damned, to damn 
 
 The world in second doom : and, first, debased 
 
 To infidelity the minds of Men, 
 
 Taming the very intellect against 240 
 
 The truth of their own soul ; and sowing there, 
 
 "Within its living soil, first doubt, then death — 
 
 And gathered-in quick harvest, by the power 
 
 Of Amazarah, and Azaradel. 
 
 "Well Amazarah knew the sordid Fiend, 245 
 
 And long had known, long joined in mutual pact ; 
 The sordid Fiend, with whom in hour of scorn 
 She mated : fitting league for her who was 
 Herself half human only, pride-begot 
 
 By demon on a daughter beautiful 250 
 
 Of fratricidal Cain ; whence gifted she. 
 As hath been sung, with charm and magic spell. 
 Wicked as wise, and bad as beautiful. 
 The mother she became of progeny 
 
 Who called her son Azaradel their sire : 255 
 
 An impish brood, and nurtured cruelly. 
 To cruel ends ; taught, in their innocence, 
 To pluck the eyes of captives bound supine. 
 Out from the living socket : and with glee, 
 With infant glee, such office they performed : 260 
 
 And with the yet-warm orbs she would compose 
 A Globe of Sorcery, wherein she saw . . 
 A visual mirrour . . into other worlds. 
 By Hherem aided in her hideous art. 
 
 And now his skill she sought. Dire jealousy 265 
 
 Had fired her soul to madness ; since the false 
 Azaradel, in search of younger charms. 
 Had wandered : and, to win affection back, 
 She means to make new covenant with Hell. 
 
 But vengeance was at hand she knew not of : 270 
 
HHEBEM, AND AMAZAEAH. 293 
 
 Though Hherem knew, for, in that wizard globe. 
 
 All he foresaw ; in silence, there he looked, 
 
 Even in her presence, faithless ; and beheld 
 
 How that the threatened Flood, when it came down. 
 
 Found out the sinner in his pride of crime. 275 
 
 In Enos, that bad city, Hherem saw, 
 
 Huge Idol -, wonderous work ; compared with those 
 
 Of the degenerate genius of our world, 
 
 As the Behemoth, or Leviathan, 
 
 Creatures of Grod's most plastic energy, 280 
 
 With Whale, and Lion, even though mighty these : 
 
 (But what to those, and their imperial might. 
 
 More than the Stag, and Dolphin to themselves ; 
 
 Themselves in whom He now is pleased to shew 
 
 His power, proportionate to human thought's 285 
 
 Capacity, conception, or surmise ?) 
 
 — Statue divine. Hard by, in a temple's tower 
 
 Was Edna, for the bridal of their god. 
 
 Great Mammon, kept. In guise of deity, 
 
 ' — (So Hherem in that magic mirrour traced 290 
 
 Event to come, but yet how nigh at hand) — 
 
 Approached Azaradel, with dance, and song 
 
 Accompanied, along the public way : 
 
 Heaven's window opened, then, right o'er their heads, 
 
 A sea with lightning sent, amd thunderbolt. 295 
 
 From her high lattice, Edna saw, with praise 
 
 Of heavenward eye, the impious rite annulled : 
 
 Deluge descending took them all away. 
 
 Ignorant of what was in the womb of Time, 
 And unbelieving of prophetic Truth ; 800 
 
 Within the palace-chamber deep-retired. 
 Mystic commune with Hherem, summoned there, 
 The royal Amazarah now maintains : 
 How to descend to Hades ; place of Fear, 
 Not Hope. Soon they into the State unseen, 305 
 
294 METHTISEIAH. 
 
 Pass in the power of spells. At once, the gates 
 
 Of the Abyss display the horrid gorge, 
 
 Profound, and undefined ; like winter's rack, 
 
 Unfolding from the vent. Down — down, descend 
 
 The 'guUty pair ; undaunted with the way, 310 
 
 But trembling with impatient sympathy. 
 
 Dark — dark that central path, which low, and lower, 
 
 Guides to the prison of the lowest gulf. 
 
 No light : till grows the accustomed eye to love 
 
 That palpable obscure, and from itself 315 
 
 The raj creates, which the dead mass of things 
 
 Apparent makes to its instinctive sense ; 
 
 And, by that radiance strange, they now discern 
 
 The Temple of the Fiends — a gorgeous dome, 
 
 G-orgeous with horrour, mockery of the Mount 320 
 
 Of Vision in the Heaven. The veil is drawn. 
 
 Expectant of her visit ; and, behold. 
 
 The Demon-Cherubim, whose meeting wings 
 
 O'er shadow there the Ark of Blasphemy, 
 
 Enthroning Satan on its seat of Wrath ; ^ 325 
 
 "Whence curses roll in thunder — earthquakes — storms, 
 
 The Sanctuary of Hell ; and at the shrine. 
 
 In festal terrours stands a priestly fiend, 
 
 Two seething censers pouring from his hand 
 
 Eeligious maledictions to the King 330 
 
 Of unrepealed perdition. Silence now 
 
 Awaiting the response ; no longer roars 
 
 Or blast, or billow. Straight is seized the hand 
 
 Of Amazarah ; and upon the Ark 
 
 Hherem, with sudden rapture, it hath placed. 335 
 
 'Swear!' — And she swore, an oath inefiable. 
 
 Then rush the winds to battle, and fan wide 
 
 The Tablets of mysterious Destiny, 
 
 Set. in the bosom of the priestly fiend, 
 
 Urim, and Thummim. "With the sound aroused, 3i0 
 
 "Uplooking, she hath read the covenant 
 
JAPHET S VISION. 
 
 295 
 
 "Wbereto her soul is bound. O, blopdy terms : 
 
 And from lier kneeling posture up sbe starts, 
 
 With one strong wrench of agony matem : 
 
 — And lo, before her Samiaaa stands. 345 
 
 She shrieks, and on the palace-floor she falls, 
 
 Even at his feet she falls, and there she lies ; 
 
 There prostrate at his feet, even where she fell, 
 
 Not dead, but speechless, Amazarah lies ; 
 
 At her Son's feet, fallen speechless, but not dead, 350 
 
 The Queen lies prostrate on that palace-floor. 
 
 III. 
 
 And now came on the End, by Vision shewn 
 To Japhet, as it was to jffoah once. 
 — The Prophet-Sculptour, on his handy-work 
 Bestowing his last pains, beheld it stand, 355 
 
 Before him in its glory : such as he 
 Had in his heart conceived — a perfect form. 
 
 Bow ye, and adore. The Grod abides in stone. 
 Incarnate thus. Divinely halcyon, 
 His pregnant brow is bathed in'deity. 
 His attitude, how eloquent : one hand 360 
 
 Thus mildly raised, the other held aloft 
 Pointing to heaven. From his disparted lips 
 There seemed to gush a rill of soothing speech. 
 Yet awful ; for a God's sublimity 
 
 Girt gentleness celestial, — girt with power. 365 
 
 There was a sorrow in his gracious mien. 
 And in his sorrow a regality. 
 As he were uttering that doom fulfilled, 
 Of desolation to Jerusalem, 
 
 Whose children, but she would not, he had gathered 370 
 Under his wing omnipotent. 
 
 ' Behold : 
 The sun is quelled — the moon is quenched — the stars 
 Die in the darkled ether, and from out 
 
296 METHirsELAH. 
 
 ■f heir golden cressets drop — the sky doth quake, 
 
 And all its powers do quail. Trom midst the gloom, 375 
 
 Appeareth, like a supernatural dawn 
 
 The symbol of hia coming. Mourn, O Earth, 
 
 Pavilioned in the clouds, the Son of Man 
 
 Comes ;— and his Angels, with a trumpet-sound. 
 
 That the four winds, to the four ends of air, 380 
 
 Bear on their rushing pennons vehement, 
 
 Grather from every part the Elect of Grod, 
 
 And Heaven, and Earth before him pass away.' 
 
 So spake the Prophet-Sculptour, and adored . . 
 Words uttered since by him to whom he knelt, 385 
 
 And then inspired. A trance came over him. 
 
 The Vision was from Heaven : the thunder pealed : 
 A voice angelical cried, ' Come, and see.' 
 Eose Japhet, and beheld the prophecy. 
 
 Lo, a White Horse of purest hue . . the stream 390 
 
 That overflowed the star-paved court of heaven. 
 
 And blanched the purple lUy, as fables tell. 
 
 Less white , . less pure. Moved by the will divine. 
 
 He bore, in steps of music, glory-crowned, 
 
 A peaceful Conquerour ; clothed with life, and light, 395 
 
 And, by the vision of beatitude, 
 
 His aspect kindled in serenity. 
 
 Armed with a bow, his arrows quivered all ; 
 
 His presence vanquished, and his coming won 
 
 Afar. Before him Paradise — behind 400 
 
 He left no desolation. But not thus 
 
 The rider of the Sanguine Steed — a sword 
 
 Was in the hero's hand, and he destroyed. 
 
 The black-maned charger, fierce for fields of blood, 
 
 Champing his bit until the hot foam seethed, 405 
 
 Eaised clouds of war beneath his fiery hoofs — 
 
 The mighty there were hid. The warriour's gaze. 
 
 His sunk and savage gaze, from underneatlv 
 
 The forehead-burying helm, glared greedily 
 
japhet's isiok. 297 
 
 On the surrounding wreck. He gnashed his teeth, 410 
 
 And his unslaked mouth gaped, athirst for gore. — 
 
 What Son of Night succeeds ? That Sable Steed. 
 
 He comes involved in darkness palpable — 
 
 Pit witness of such scene. His Eider who ? 
 
 Whence that dim speck in each suspicious eye, 415 
 
 Scanning the shaken balance in his hand. 
 
 Whose slant beam made him pause ? Hoar sceptic, he. 
 
 Death followed him ; mysterious Death : his pall 
 
 That robe funereal, darkening where it flew — 
 
 Well suited its dim skirts to that slant beam, 420 
 
 In fury on they came, that Sable Steed, 
 
 And the Pale Horse ; Death's own; one centaur they, 
 
 Wrought of cold ice, .parching the air with cold : 
 
 From their dire nostrils went consuming plague. 
 
 HeU rode on lurid clouds. Now, Death's right hand 425 
 
 Upraised the living serpent, that coiled up 
 
 His eager arm ; and from both hands aloft 
 
 Were launched brands of blue lightning all abroad. 
 
 All leaden was his foot, and spectre neck. 
 
 And his unnatural head was strangely crowned. 430 
 
 And, like a whirlwind, came that icy steed. 
 
 In his unreined wrath ; and his grey mane 
 
 Tossed in abrupt disorder, like dark waves 
 
 Sieging a steep rock in a night of storms. 
 
 And the dark features of that ghastly king 435 
 
 Gleamed with a hideous smUe : his eyeballs rolled 
 
 Baleful in triumph, and his ominous mouth 
 
 Threatened extermination — and he looked 
 
 Into the distance — for destruction there. 
 
 While havoc revelled round. Over the wife, 440 
 
 His beautiful wife, the princely husband hangs. 
 
 Scarce pale with recent death, her offspring yet 
 
 In her embrace — that last kiss took one with her, 
 
 Prom her relaxed grasp the sweet boy fell ; 
 
 The daughter deems her mother in a swoon, 445 
 
298 METHUSELAH. 
 
 And strives witt filial care to stay her fall. 
 
 In vain. Gaunt Tamine there, an old man, knelt, 
 
 Digging the uncharitable earth for roots, 
 
 With his lank fingers ; and his daughter couched. 
 
 The livid Pestilence, on a mat beside, 450- 
 
 Shivering. Still neighboured Death that Sable Steed, 
 
 And he who sate thereon, Errour's sharp judge, 
 
 Miuiite in estimate, in decision stem, 
 
 Weighing, in his unsteady balance, deeds 
 
 And men ; one scale with woe surcharged, and one 455 
 
 With virtue insufiicient : passionless : 
 
 Doubt hard by Death, with squint diagonal. 
 
 Gloating on misery, and afraid of joy. 
 
 So oft deluded, truth it even suspects. 
 
 Beast raged, and strove with man: and men were slain. 460 
 The horse, and rider to the lion yield ; 
 And Strength's undaunted countenance was weak. 
 And Fortitude. Youth's lance was broke, and he 
 Tossed in the wind. The firmament was rent, 
 And the skies warred 'gainst man : the thunder smote 465 
 The lover ; and in terrour woman fled. 
 With gaze reverted, as in love, or awe. 
 The eagle with the heron in the clouds 
 Held contest wild ; and o'er her slaughtered mate 
 The gaUess dove, a widow, drooped in grief. 470 
 
 He looked again . . and lo, beneath the foot 
 Of him that gentle Conquerour, crushed, and slain, 
 The old Serpent lay, head-bruised : and far above 
 Soared saints, and martyrs to beatitude. 
 For whom he conquered. Thus the Vision closed. * 475 
 
 Whoso had seen the Prophet-Sculptour then. 
 In this his tranced dream, had not perceived 
 
 • The reader who is aeciuunted with West's picture of " Death on the Pale 
 Horse" will perceive that the above descriptioc is derived from a study of the 
 ^aintiDg. 
 
japhet's vision. 299 
 
 Aspect perturbed, or changed with strange event, 
 
 Albeit thus passing strange, and fraught with doom. 
 
 A whirlwind had outsnatched his spirit, and rapt 480 
 
 Above the Olympian hiU : yet what he saw. 
 
 And heard into his marrow searched, liie fire. 
 
 Like the still whispering wind at eventide. 
 
 To him prediction came not, as it comes 
 
 Oft to the dying saint, to soothe his soul, 485 
 
 And softly speak of heaven. The flood was up ; 
 
 Tempest abroad. Anon, a gradual calm, 
 
 A gentle breeze, a quiet finishing ; 
 
 And peace companioned his returning soul. 
 
 Now through each vein the electric fiuid glowed, 490 
 And he awoke, inspired, Long time he mused : 
 • A mighty thing hath been to me revealed — 
 How shall the stone express it ?' And his hand 
 Dashed o'er the marble with a spirit's power. 
 His artist-hand. The head of that Pale Horse 495 
 
 Snorts fire ; each nostril to each eye constrained 
 In nigh-disrupting rage, dilated — tort. 
 A perfect labour, which, had it survived, 
 G-enius would question like an oracle ; 
 Tet, weak resemblance of its archetype, 500 
 
 The genius that created it despised. 
 — ' It is in vain,' said Japhet ; ' human art 
 Strives not with skill celestial — Art, farewell. 
 The hand forgets its cunning. Human sight 
 May not behold it — but my spirit bums— 505 
 
 'Twas not revealed for silence — I will forth. 
 This weapon of ethereal tempering, 
 Which thus G-od's Spirit hath in mine inclosed. 
 As in a sheath, or plunged as in a bath. 
 To sharpen in my soul ; my father, thou 510 
 
 Shalt pluck out thence, and prove its double edge.' 
 
 Forthwith he sought his sire ; his brethren, too. 
 Moved by paternal mandate, also came. 
 
300 METHrSELAH. 
 
 Then Japhet told his vision. As he spake 
 
 His frame dilated, and his port assumed 515 
 
 Strange grandeur, and impulsive energy 
 
 Of concentrated import and deep awe. 
 
 Noah his son embraced. 
 
 ' A Prophet thou ; 
 And to thy Sire, and Brethren sent from Grod.' 
 — Shem worshipt ; but tears feU from Ham's sad eyes, 520 
 He knew not why ; he could not chuse but weep. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And Samiasa stood within the Vale 
 Of Abel ; and, within a little space, 
 Zateel confronted him. 
 
 Then said the King : 
 ' Knowest thou me not ?' 
 
 Hereat on him Zateel 525 
 
 Gazed earnestly : 
 
 ' Thy features, like a dream. 
 Tell of the past,, but in delusive wise, 
 Eecalling the irrecoverable.' 
 
 Again, 
 The King spake to him thus : — 
 
 ' Hear me, Zateel : 
 My heart, even as the desart where I dwelt, 530 
 
 Was once athirst. The fountain now unsealed, 
 Its waters overflow. Thy heart is not 
 Adust with age, nor passionless ; but there 
 Full fancy flourishes, and lifts its head. 
 Even as my fortune once, a goodly tree, 535 
 
 Until Grod's Angel cut it down.' 
 
 "Whereat, 
 Zateel, convinced, at once exclaimed, 
 
 ' My lord— 
 My king — my father — brother — lover— friend.' 
 
MOtTNT OF PAEAIISE. 301 
 
 • No raptures now, my son,' said Samiasa ; 
 ' Well may it be for thee, and curb thy mind 540 
 
 Prom the presumption, which high faculty 
 Builds up, until it madden, if I tell 
 A tale to thee : a tale, while these sad lips 
 Stamp truth on what thou hearest.' 
 
 Tears Zateel 
 Wept ; but, the gush of feeling finding way, 545 
 
 He answered, ' King-^say on — ' 
 
 ' 'Tis of my Mother. 
 To whom was more of beauty, more of wisdom. 
 Given than to Amazarah — or to me ? 
 Zateel ; I sought her in the palace-chamber, 
 To tell her of God's deaKngs with her son, 550 
 
 And wean her from her wickedness. I found 
 The sleeping Sorceress as of old. I stood, 
 And gazed, entranced, upon the majesty 
 Of her repose. I will not tell thee — then — 
 What storm of thoughts made me to shudder soon ; 555 
 But rather how, recovering from such mood, 
 I did essay to wake the guilty Queen ; 
 And how in vain, with voice and hand, I strove 
 To rouse her from her somnolency deep. 
 A Power was on her I might not remove. 560 
 
 Her body was as dead, and well I kenned 
 Her spirit absent thence ; — but 'twas not dead' — 
 I looked on it for hours ; till at the last 
 She spake, stiU sleeping. Ask me not the words, 
 What direful oath it was she ratified 565 
 
 With the Infernal powers. How lived I yet. 
 After I heard them ; till, restored to sense. 
 She gazed upon, and knew me, and fell down ? 
 I could no more, but from the chamber rushed, 
 Determined the dread purpose to forestall.' 570 
 
 ' What purpose ? ' 
 
 ' Ask me not, I say ; nor speak 
 
§02 METHrSElAH. 
 
 Of what hath been disclosed. An awe is on me ; 
 Be it on thee, and on thine utterance.' 
 
 Aright, and to the west of Armon, they 
 Stood ; by the waters of Dunbadan there, 575 
 
 Which make right beautiful, and musical, 
 The Vale of Abel's Sacrifice, and Death: 
 Then on its banks they sate, and talked awhile ; 
 Till Palal was approaching, by Zateel 
 
 Known, as by Samiasa, but till now 580 
 
 Shunned, for the doctrine which he spake abroad. 
 JN'ow Palal joined the twain ; and thus, in haste, 
 Bespake the King : 
 
 ' They come, with all their hosts, 
 Monarchs, and people ; ardent, and grown bold. 
 To compass their design. Now, will they prove 585 
 
 The might of the Invisible.' 
 
 At this, 
 B/Ose Samiasa, and Zateel ; and clomb 
 A lofty hill o'erlooking the far plain. 
 That like a continent spread out immense. 
 Bordering the Land of Streams. The invading hosts 590 
 They saw, in number like far-off seen trees. 
 Of forest, or of wild ; whose lofty tops. 
 Beheld at distance, are so closely massed, 
 They seem a sea with waves, as in the "wind 
 They bow before the heavens ; communion they 595 
 
 Of saints, nor of the Spirit's fellowship 
 TJnvisited; whose voice in gale, and breeze 
 Beverent they hear, and worship. But not such, 
 'Not piously engaged, those numbers, there. 
 That fill the champaign broad : armies of men 600 
 
 Bebellious, unadoring, and profane ; 
 War-chariot, and War-Steed ; and Elephant^ 
 To conflict trained, and bearing on his back 
 Turrets of warriours : animals besides. 
 
MOUNT OF PAEADISE, 303' 
 
 Which the restored world has not yet tamed 605 
 
 To human use, were in the tbrong. The huge, 
 
 And strong Ehinoceros, with solid hora 
 
 Outgrowing on the maxillary bone, 
 
 froof-armed — by tiger dreaded, lest it rip 
 
 His bowels — bore its lord upon its back 610 
 
 Into the battle throngs though turning oft 
 
 "War to confusion, hurling friend on foe ; 
 
 Camel, and Dromedary, and wild Mule ; 
 
 All these came on : bent to assail the Mount 
 
 Of Paradise, and Eden lost regain. 615 
 
 Fools, not to know, that of the soul herself 
 
 The real Eden is, and she may make 
 
 Such of the barest, rudest spot on earth. 
 
 If piety, or charity be there. 
 
 Urged by the fiends in human limbs arrayed, 620 
 
 By Hherem, Satan, and Azaziel, came 
 
 The mailed crowds, in military pomp ; 
 
 Proud of such pomp ; vain show, though gorgeous ; weak. 
 
 Though seeming strong in multitudes ; thence weak, 
 
 And because weak in multitude arrayed. 625 
 
 — Aggressors, through the Vale of Arm on they 
 
 Move in defile ; and on the pleasant banks 
 
 Of its baptizing stream, right arrogant. 
 
 Their chivalry dispose, in order meet. 
 
 Whoso had seen them then, might deem fair troop 630 
 
 Of prowest men, and steeds so swift, and strong ; 
 
 With other creatures, savage, fierce, and wild : 
 
 With ensigns, and with pioneers expert. 
 
 To push obstruction back of hill, or wood ; 
 
 Or raise opposing mountain, where was vale ; 635 
 
 Or bridge o'er lake, and chasm, and river broad ; 
 
 Were potent greatest emprize to achieve. 
 
 Ignorant of fate, as yonder battle Steed, 
 
 Who eager snorts, and, with snake subtlety. 
 
 Winds his glad way through numbers, and performs, 640 
 
304' MEIHUSELAH. 
 
 "With supple spring obedient, what his lord, 
 
 Throned on his back, designs. O ignorant ! — 
 
 "While to the heaven thou vaultest, in soaring hope ; 
 
 Or down the hiU, with headlong energy, 
 
 Precipitatest like a rolling rock ; 645 
 
 Then rising, dost as rapidly ascend. 
 
 Like a red meteor voyaging on high ; 
 
 Or skimmest, with birdlike smoothness, level vale, 
 
 Tossing thy bright mane, like a torrent's foam. 
 
 Moving like air in air, but in thy course 650 
 
 Outstripping the swift whirlwind ; or, with rein 
 
 Eelaxed, gUdest onward like a star, or checked, 
 
 Tumest like a comet ; solid earth, meantime, 
 
 Shrinks from thy furious heel. ignorant. 
 
 Brave Steed, art thou, thyself the while but decked, 655 
 
 A sacrifice ; for Death's enormous strength 
 
 Ere long, with more than sinewy arm, to grasp. 
 
 Thee, when the giant seize, shall not avail 
 
 Might, or of bone, or limb, '. . or effort fierce : 
 
 Pixed to the earth, within the monster's gripe, 660 
 
 That heavy head, so graceful now and light, 
 
 And that extended neck. 
 
 Ah, it is done — 
 On to that Mountain, Sodi, and his Steed, 
 Press confident ; and to the Ark of God, 
 That Deluge Ship, arrive. "Who there await • 605 
 
 His formidable coming ? Noah, Shem, 
 And Japhet, with most old Methuselah. 
 Patient they wait, Then on the holy thing 
 The glowing Knight puts his extended hand: 
 Fire flashes up ; stones from a distance flung, 670 
 
 As from a sling, before the guarded hiU, 
 Smote Steed, and Eider both. There lie they now, 
 O'erthrown; one dead, one dying. From within 
 Pire, as he writhes, at that Steed's nostrils smokes ; 
 And the blood bubbles, both to ear, and eye, 675 
 
MOUNT OF PAEABISE. 305 
 
 Through the swoln veins ; till, with the agoay 
 
 TJpspringing, his mad hoof deep dints the sod, 
 
 With a quick spasm, as of a lightning's stroke, 
 
 And then he falls for ever. O soon quenched, 
 
 Or vanished, all that vigour fiery, 680 
 
 And terrible, which him so late inspired. 
 
 Not sooner yet than" cooled the valourous heat, 
 And insolent, in those invading hosts. 
 For lo, the Cherubim, apparent all ; 
 
 In glory blazing high, and wide, and far ; 685 
 
 Stood like a pillar of fire ; or like a hill. 
 Or forest burning; but with shapes, and faces 
 Outlooking from the fiames, as from a furnace, 
 Unharmed forms, human if not divine. 
 At least angelic, graced with numerous wings. 690 
 
 And still the flames advanced ; still forward came ; 
 Till, in a robe of light, they did invest 
 The sainted form of old Methuselah. 
 So venerably old, that age in him 
 
 Was verily sublime ; and in the soul 695 
 
 That gazed upon his form, even to tears. 
 Kindled emotion elevate, profound. 
 — Tet could yon Knight, now fallen, endure his frown, 
 And rudely push him by, to smite that Ark, 
 Divinely ordered ; Sodi, rebel youth, 700 
 
 Though valiant, yet apostate. Of the tribe 
 Of old Methuselah, a youngest son, 
 Of consecrated race, seduced wert thou 
 Into the ranks of the profane ; and mixed 
 (But one of many) in their ways of life, 705 
 
 And in their modes of thought ; and scorn conceived 
 Of patriarchEd rule, and holy rede. 
 Chief laughedst thou at the awe in which were held 
 That self-same Ark, those very Cherubim ; 
 Illusion all, as thou right well mightst know, 710 
 
 Who hadst been in the secret, and wert taught 
 
 X 
 
306 METHUSELAH. 
 
 How such were fabricated, and adored, 
 
 Per government, so that the few, or one. 
 
 Might lord it o'er the rest — the myriad minds. 
 
 Equal, and independent as their own. 715 
 
 Hence hardiest thou, and foremost in assault ; 
 
 Filial impiety, but soon avenged ; 
 
 And crowned with glory bright the insulted Sire, 
 
 "With glory crowned, in sight of all mankind. 
 
 And soon Earth shook beneath those multitudes ; 720 
 Horribly shook : and in the human heart 
 Was equal fear ; flesh universal quaked. 
 Lest all the region gape, and swallow all : 
 But otherwise 'twas fated ; One alone 
 "Was doomed. Eiven as with a thunderbolt, 725 
 
 The mountain yawned ; and deep into his grave 
 Sank, diademed with light, Methuselah ; 
 Thus buried, that no insult desecrate 
 A Patriarch's obsequies again, as mocked 
 With contumely Lamech's sacred bier. 730 
 
 Thus sank Methuselah, by earthquake gulfed, 
 E.eceived to Hades. But, from out his grave, 
 A column high, and broad, of water wroth 
 Upspouted through a chasm, that might not close, 
 Forced by the impetuous element apart. 735 
 
 On high it towered a Fountain, and came down 
 A Eiver, circling in the lofty air. 
 And flowing nether earth, a beauteous thing, 
 Tet terrible : — that arch of grace, and power. 
 In fluid motion, living in the light ; 740 
 
 In agony, and action manifest 
 To ear, and eye — a spirit passionate. 
 Or spirits, in that stormy atmosphere. 
 Ascending, and descending — raging, wild. 
 
 Hereat all stood in stupid gaze. Meanwhile, 745 
 
 The Watchers of the Door of Paradise 
 Moved rapidly apart ; and made a way 
 
MOUNT or PAEABISE. 307 
 
 Por entry, or for egress, to and fro 
 
 The holy garden. Soon, between them, stood 
 
 The sainted form of Enoch, still in youth ; 750 
 
 And still his voice was heard as ere he went : 
 
 ' He Cometh, with ten thousands of his saints, 
 Judgement forthwith on aU to execute ; 
 And all that are ungodly to convince 
 Of their ungodly deeds, and their hard speech, 755 
 
 "Which against him, Most Holy, they have dared.' 
 
 He said ; and held aloft, in view of aU, 
 The Tables of the Laws of the Most High ; 
 Each letter made distinct with ilames of fire. 
 And flashing outwards into trails of light. 760 
 
 In at the eye it entered, to the brain 
 It penetrated deep, and smote with pangs 
 G-uilt where it found. With speed, and awe, away 
 Fled the invaders, ruinous retreat. 
 
 EUTD OP TENTH BOOK. 
 
 I 2 
 
BO.OK THE ELEVENTH. 
 
 Then, prostrate in Jehovah's presence, spate 
 Noah, and said : — 
 
 ' O Lord, my God : now, hear, 
 And answer ; for tlie press of thoughts, and things, 
 And men perplexes, now, thy servant sore. 
 Hast thou determined to destroy, indeed, 5 
 
 Earth, with her offspring ? Should I then assume 
 Patriarch authority, paternal rule. 
 Over the people ? And wherefore ? seeing now, 
 In name, and not in substance, of long time. 
 And powerless, the station hath been held ; 10 
 
 An ordinance obsolete, that hath lost its hold 
 On popular opinion, and repute ? 
 Or, if I take on me the robe of power, 
 Oh, wilt thou pardon, thou Almighty Grod, 
 And rescue the doomed world, redeem, and save ? 15 
 
 Eescue, redeem, and save. Omnipotent : 
 In mercy save, even for thy servant's sake. 
 If once I favour found, and still retain.' 
 
 Then spake Jehotah. ' Thou hast favour found ; 
 Nor mayst thou rightful Ordinance resign. 20 
 
 If they accept thee, well ; if not, retire. 
 And make thee ready ; for the Judgement sits.' 
 
 Such was God's answer unto Noah's prayer. 
 So he arose ; and, on the morrow, called 
 The people to the Sacrifice. But not 25 
 
 For worship, but debate, they came : the wise, 
 And ignorant ; the cunning, and unapt ; 
 
NOAH EEJEOTED. 309 
 
 Claiming alike free speeeli ; phUosophists, 
 
 And oratours ; Palal, and Eumel : For 
 
 These twain had forces joined ; and in the minds 30 
 
 Of men had made them empire ; and, with power, 
 
 The democratic temper could persuade. 
 
 Combine, and wield its elements at will : 
 
 And Hherem who, with secret influence, 
 
 Directed all to slavery, while they 35 
 
 Of Freedom talked, and Eights unreasoning, 
 
 That owned no Duty, or to God, or man : 
 
 And wUd Azaziel who, in nature's wrath, 
 
 Saw Liberty — the licence to destroy, 
 
 Which pleased him best ; and Satan, who would rear, 40 
 
 On ruins of creation, a high throne, 
 
 That o'er against the visionary Mount 
 
 Might tower, audacious, opposite to God's. 
 
 Now, on the Altar-tomb had Noah placed 
 The sacred Book, to Seth by Enoch given ; 45 
 
 And, kneeling, would have prayed : but Falal then 
 Began the wordy war. 
 
 ' Pardon,' said he, 
 ' Intrusion out of course ; but time has changed 
 Old channels, and the spirit of the age, 
 Would it be heard, must violate, where needs, 50 
 
 Old forms, and institutions, and make new, 
 That Law grow not save of the wiU of all, 
 Hold of existing circumstance, and fit 
 Accumulated knowledge widely spread. 
 Men know their rights, and to assert them now — 65 
 
 To will, and think, and speak as of themselves, 
 And to appoint what rules they will obey. 
 If any, and how. WeU was it in old times. 
 The sire should teach the son, and children learn 
 From their forefathers, and believe : but now, 60 
 
 Change has accrued ; and sons are who might lord 
 
310 DTTDAEL. 
 
 O'er parents, if in wisdom be the right, 
 
 More capable to teach than they to learn. 
 
 Then, why should they be subject, and succumb 
 
 To authority inferiour, knowledge less ? 65 
 
 Herein deem not, I Noah's wisdom doubt, 
 
 Knowing his worth, and eloquence ; but this 
 
 I well may question, when he credit claims 
 
 For inspiration, whereof know I nought. 
 
 Nor may. Por whence is knowledge ? Prom the sense. 70 
 
 What we perceive by eye, and ear, taste, touch. 
 
 And smell, become ideas, and compose 
 
 Eeason, and understanding ; nor are they 
 
 Of other objects sentient. What is deemed 
 
 Of infinite, and eternal is made up 75 
 
 Of times, and spaces added without end ; 
 
 And so some notion formed, how vague at best. 
 
 But Noah would of other knowledge vaunt, 
 
 ■Caught from some other state, or world, or age, 
 
 Discerned but by the Spirit, and on faith, 80 
 
 The credit of his word, to be believed — 
 
 Or haply of power miraculous, whereof 
 
 Was told me yesterday, and partly felt 
 
 And seen, though but in part, because afar 
 
 I stood, and saw, and felt imperfectly, 85 
 
 At distance. Earthquake — Gulph — and Fire ! 
 
 Why, what's in these that Nature tells not of? 
 
 These rumblings of the earth are ordinary ; 
 
 And, without wrath, may swaJlow whom they please : 
 
 Why not Methuselah ? — And for the fiame, 90 
 
 'Twas the volcanic blaze that ever tends 
 
 On Earthquake, and announces, and succeeds, 
 
 Cherubic guardians deemed of Eden lost. 
 
 Yain terrours ; which the light of science, seen 
 
 In the horizon only, soon wiU chase — 95 
 
 Like shades before the sun at morning-rise. 
 
 Thus futile these pretensions ; others may 
 
NOAH EBJBCTED. 311 
 
 Be proved, perchance, as fond. Behoves it, then, 
 His claims be tested ; and to all be given 
 I'ree opportunity merit to sift, 100 
 
 And chuse the wisest, and the best to rule.' 
 He ended, and was followed with applause 
 "Unanimous. — Straight, from amidst the throng, 
 Eose, unexpected, Samiasa then ; 
 And awe imposed, and silence. 
 
 ' Friends ;' he cried : 105 
 ' Patient I 've heard, like patience shew to me. 
 'Tis said, no inner vision hath the soul. 
 But all its knowledge is derived from earth ; 
 Tet 'tis confessed there is a power within. 
 Which from the finite argues infinite — 110 
 
 What is that power ? O surely not of earth, 
 Por earthly things fail it to satisfy. 
 And cannot shew the Object that it wants. 
 Is then that Object nothing ? Nay, the soul 
 Perceives of it impression, with that eye, 115 
 
 Which, being spiritual, spiritually beholds ; 
 As with a fieshly orb it apprehends 
 Material forms, iutelligently seen. 
 And this Idea, or creative Word, 
 
 Keports of Law ; of which the shadows be, 120 
 
 By symbols, shewn in nature, and the rule 
 Of government. But its high fountaiu is 
 Thy bosom, God ! whose Being is the Law 
 Unto thy working ; authour to itself; 
 Beginning all things for a worthy end, 125 
 
 And operation limiting thereby, 
 In measure, number, weight, according to 
 The counsel of thy Will ; that Wisdom old, 
 More antient than the hiUs, co-mate with thee. 
 Eternal : Order, hence, appoints to all 130 
 
 His creatures, and creation, duties fit : 
 Celestial, natural ; human, or divine ; 
 
312 BTJDAEL. 
 
 Patal, or voluntary. Nature thus, 
 
 To Law obedient, Being to produce, 
 
 Generates forms, to be the souls of things. 135 
 
 Thus Angels love, adore, and imitate 
 
 The purity, the glory, and the beauty 
 
 Of him who placed their armies, and their hosts 
 
 In order, and degree, the ministers 
 
 Of virtue unto men. " Thus men themselves, 140 
 
 Aiming at goodness, covet to be lite 
 
 God-in continuance, and creation both ; 
 
 And seek to propagate, and to their works 
 
 Give constancy, and excellence like his ; 
 
 And rise, by reason, to the knowledge pure 145 
 
 Of things, not sensible ; and, by the power 
 
 Of will, the spirit of the mind, — of heaven. 
 
 Knowledge, and "WUl ; whence Choice. Of these discoursed 
 
 Palal even now, and argued Noah false : 
 
 His premises proved false, prove Noah true. 150 
 
 Chuse ye the good, avoid the evil now ; 
 
 And to the Laws by Reason given to Man, 
 
 For social rule, and peaceful fellowship. 
 
 And to old ordinance, old authority. 
 
 Bow as of right, that Order be not broke ; 155 
 
 Knowing that intellect may not usurp 
 
 On moral power, and either damage 'scape.' 
 
 Thus ended he ; and thought profound held mute 
 The assembly — soon by Eumel called to hear. 
 — ' Freemen ;' exclaimed the Oratour : ' men free 160 
 
 By Nature ; wherefore should ye to old saws 
 Yield, whom new prospects to new fields invite 
 Of great endeavour ? At whose voice ? At his, 
 Who by inheritance possessed a throne. 
 And was a king, and straight must ape the god, 165 
 
 And rather than in city, dwelt in wild ? 
 Now, from his sway. released, in the same line 
 Besides authority : how graced with virtue. 
 
NOAH EEJEOTED. 313 
 
 Both in Azaradel, and Amazarah ; 
 
 "With what allegiance unto antient law, 170 
 
 Or modem, well appears to all, and each : 
 
 Tet little need be cared for, if it brought 
 
 Oppression not on subjects, scourging oft 
 
 The sins of other men, and taxing them 
 
 For maintenance of their own. The hour is come, 175 
 
 "When Earth must throw oif rule : and lawless Man 
 
 Be as at first ; self-gOTemed, or quite free ; 
 
 Each waging his own right, or his own wrong 
 
 Avenging ; following his own desires ; 
 
 Self-arbiter of evil, and of good.' 180 
 
 At this was uproar, scarce by Noah stilled. 
 Who hardly audience found, though speaking there 
 The words of the Most High. 
 
 ' That man is free, 
 "Who is not held in bondage of his lusts. 
 No servant to corruption ; only he. 185 
 
 And all must be such slaves whom law rules not. 
 For those of Nature are, law of the Mind : 
 Hence parents check their children, and forbid 
 Indulgence, ruinous to health, or heart ; 
 Thus God, the Father of the Universe, 190 
 
 Gave Law to Adam ; and, above the flesh. 
 Enthroned in state the spirit ; nor repealed, 
 Nor a jot bated its validity. 
 For his transgression. Adam to his Sons 
 Such government extended ; how to live 195 
 
 In fellowship, though violated oft, 
 Tet ne'er annulled. And so, from race to race. 
 Each father was a king to his own house ; 
 And, o'er the numerous households, one was set. 
 In right of Adam's rule, hereditary 200 
 
 Dominion to exhibit, and enforce. 
 Tet Life was before Law : the Maker, hence. 
 
S14l BTTDAEL. 
 
 Por Adam made provision, ere he tasked 
 
 Obtedience. And wlien Cain sought Naid afar, 
 
 Natural impediment, and penury 205 
 
 Were first assuaged, and many arts discerned, 
 
 Though but mechanical, ere he might rear 
 
 A city, and a state. Valour, and wit. 
 
 With conjoint efibrt, then relation fixed 
 
 Of Right, and Duty ; but had to contend 210 
 
 With envy, strife, contention, violence — 
 
 Used both for good, and evU. Heed ye now. 
 
 The days are evil, justice is dethroned ; 
 
 Fathers are scorned, and order set at nought, 
 
 Private, or social : aU it doth behove 215 
 
 To take away all mutual grievances. 
 
 All injuries, and wrongs ; and to appoint 
 
 Public agreement, social government — 
 
 Whereto yield ye submissive ; and to whom 
 
 Te grant authority, may peace, and bliss, 220 
 
 And to the rest, by them be stiU. procured. — 
 
 Peace to the righteous : to the oppressor, woe. 
 
 Nor has the bounteous Maker left ye void 
 
 Of supernatural aid ; but in his law, 
 
 The Testament of Enoch, taught to Man 225 
 
 The way of duty, and the gate of bliss.' 
 
 Thus Noah, But loud clamour rose, and scorn, 
 And laughter, and opprobrium, and the cries 
 Of insolent rejection ; tumult soon, 
 
 And strife, and bloodshed. Veiled withiu a cloud, 230 
 God rescued from the outrageous multitude 
 His .Prophet ; and rage died, its victim gone. 
 — Died with the Eephaim, those giant twins, 
 Who sometime smote, by Adam's sepulchre, 
 Noah while preaching . . whereof hath been told. 235 
 
 And now, again, the demon Brethren sought 
 To smite him as he spake : but either deemed 
 
NOAH EEJICTED. 315 
 
 It honour to strike first ; and, for the fame, 
 
 One with the other strove, until escaped 
 
 Their victim. — Then, upon his Brother each 240 
 
 His anger turned ; wrath deadly — murtherous — • 
 
 WrestUng in contest, gladiatorial strife : 
 
 Emulous of victory, seekiag it as balm 
 
 To disappointment ; neither wishing yet 
 
 To live thereafter, fired by frenzy so, 245 
 
 As if such loss bore no surviving, or, 
 
 After such gain, life worthless were, and stale. 
 
 High skiU they shewed in combat ; to assault 
 
 Or to defend, both equal ; both unmatched 
 
 By any else ; right artists in their kind, 250 
 
 Of all acknowledged, theme of saw, and song. 
 
 Long time, was either by the other held 
 
 At bay : their weapons clashed, but to protect, 
 
 And not to wound ; until at length — at length — 
 
 Dagger of each was close at heart of each, 255 
 
 Mutually crossed ; then, each in other's face 
 
 Looked, and laughed loud — and, as they laughed, they 
 
 plunged 
 The poniards in ; laughed, as they plunged them in — 
 And, laughing, drew them out ; and,"as they fell 
 Backward, laughed dying : laughing, so they died 260 
 
 In ecstasy, both victors, both death-crowned, 
 — Thus died the Bom of Spirit, and of Elesh ; 
 Apostate Spirit ; (not apostate, guilt 
 Had then been none ;) and thus on earth were they 
 Demons as giants, evil energies 265 
 
 In strength incarnate ; errours masculine 
 Enshrined in clouds, yet not of Glory named, 
 But Hades — dark, oppressive, and corrupt. 
 Louring o'er earth, in battailous array, 
 Contending, bursting, falling but to bruise. 270 
 
 Thus died they, and more terrible the laugh. 
 That, from the hell-mouth of their gushing heart, 
 
316 DrDAEL. 
 
 In that death-transport brake, than were the fiends 
 To mock a mourner from some cave's deep rift — 
 Soft-hearted mourner for a doomed world, 275 
 
 "With exultation of the coming wreck ; 
 G-reedy of ruin, angels of mischance : 
 More terrible, and more oracular. 
 
 II. 
 
 That eve, in pensive contemplation, stood 
 The Angel of Eepentance, Phanuel ; 280 
 
 And, through the tear-drop in his quiet eye, 
 "Watched westering Earth, with Uriel, in the Sun : 
 Beside him ArchangeHc Michael towered. 
 
 In the sun-world they stood, an orb of fire. 
 To heavenly seraphs only genial place ; 285 
 
 To frames less ardent mortal element. 
 Burning both day, and night ; a flashing mount 
 "Was Uriel's throne : and, round about it set, 
 Seven other hills — compiled of fiery stones. 
 Brilliant, and beautiful, and living flames — 290 
 
 Supported on their slopes, and on their brows, 
 Unwithering trees, with odorous fruitage hung, 
 In clusters, breathing fragrance where he sate. 
 Hence, Uriel swayed the multitude of Stars ; 
 Appointing them, in measure, and in weight, 295 
 
 Light ; as they came, attracted ; and, repelled, 
 "Went thence to do his bidding. The Moon, too, 
 "Waxing, or waning, was his servitress, 
 Handmaid of Uriel. G-lorious was the throne ; 
 And, at its footstool, flowed a river pure ; 300 
 
 Eiver of light, and life ; billows of life. 
 And waves of light, which spake even as they flowed : 
 Tongues of quick fire, and cloven in the midst, 
 Singing immortal anthems, hymns divine ; 
 Yoices of rfiusic, harmonies of heaven : 305 
 
THE ANflELS. S17 
 
 Aagels, tte guardians of the fount of fire, 
 
 Innumerable. Glorious were the Three, 
 
 Watchers of Heaven, clad in celestial white, 
 
 Of countenance transparent — clear aspect. 
 
 That as of crystal shewed the mind within, 310 
 
 Not hid deceptive : holy they, and true, 
 
 Bright "Uriel, Michael strong, and Phanuel meek. 
 
 And, at the back of Uriel's throne, were hung 
 
 A bow of fire, and arrows fiery 
 
 "Within their quiver, and a sword of fire, 315 
 
 Lightning, and radiance, splendours without end. 
 
 Now, the great Mother, active for her sons, 
 Came to the palace of the Lord of Day : 
 The rosy Hours about her coming throng. 
 They, from her dusky chariot, loose awhile 320 
 
 Her wearied steeds ; and, out of golden urns, 
 Eefresh them with the living streams of light. 
 Mournful in her maternal majesty. 
 Straight she descended from her lofty seat : . 
 And, like the queen of sorrow, proud, and pale, 325 
 
 Entered the gorgeous dweUing of the Sun ; 
 "Whose glory dazed her elevated, brow. 
 To treble wanness, and iiatenser grief. 
 The radiant angel, afikble as bright, 
 
 His yellow tressed head in homage veiled, 330 
 
 And gave her welcome from his shining state. 
 But, from her blanched forehead, she undid 
 Her oaken coronet, and east it down 
 "CTpon the heavenly pavement, chrysolite ; 
 The solemn foldiugs of her regal robe 335 
 
 "Unclasped ; and, on the footsteps of his throne. 
 Sank down, in woe, and agony extreme. 
 
 ' Me miserable :' with a heavy groan. 
 Began the mighty Mother, mighty now 
 Only iu sorrow. ' Miserable me ; 340 
 
 "Whose children have been murtherers from the womb. 
 
81^ 
 
 DrDAEl. 
 
 Par other hope was mine, -whom angel harpS; 
 Emerging from the waste of Chaos old, 
 Hailed, on my natal, and my nuptial day. 
 Sister, and bride of the perpetual heaven. 345 
 
 How gladly, with diurnal industry, 
 I journeyed toward thy orient Capitol, 
 To alternate warmth, radiance, and delight. 
 To either hemisphere of my round orb. 
 Together with the sweet vicissitude 350 
 
 Of grateful shadow, and refreshing sleep ; 
 And still, with indefatigable love, 
 Controled the seasons to the weal of Man. 
 I nourished him with milk from out my breasts ; 
 Naked, I clothed him ; to him I gave 355 
 
 Country, and home, and heritage, and tomb : 
 But he, ingrate, my brow defiled with blood ; 
 "With arm^d heel he smote my. matron face, 
 With bloody hand he stabbed my pregnant womb ; 
 And violence and lust possess the lands, 360 
 
 "With palaces, and temples unto gods, 
 That are no gods, sore-burthened, and distrest. 
 My heart is broken, sick, and sorrowful. 
 Ay me, I fear that the Long-sufiering yet 
 "Will rise in wrath ; and, in one common wreck, 365 
 
 Me, for my children's sins, with them confound.' 
 To whom thus "Uriel : ' O majestic queen, 
 
 melancholy mother, beautiful 
 In sorrow, and sublime in misery : 
 
 Thou well hast done the work thou hadst to do. 370 
 
 This, as the Eye of the all-seeing God, 
 
 1 witness ; this broad heaven doth avouch. 
 Thee, hence, he circles stUl, as in the day 
 Of your espousals, with intense embrace. 
 
 And he hath heard thee groan, hath heard thy cry, 375 
 From midst the floods, whereon thy throne is set ; 
 And soon the Avenger over thee shall pass. 
 
THB ANGELS. 319 
 
 And thou slialt be avenged ; thou, and Heaven, 
 On your lewd daughters, and intemperate sons.' 
 
 WheretQ the Mother : ' Let me be overwhelmed, 380 
 "Within the abrupt abyss ; so but the doom 
 My children may escape.' 
 
 ' It may not be,' 
 Interposed Michael. ' I, in my place in heaven, 
 Have testified to their iniquities. 
 
 The dreamers that defile the flesh, despise 385 
 
 Dominion, and speak ill of dignities. 
 Of things they know not, and beyond their sense, 
 Themselves corrupting in the things they know ; 
 Spots iu the festivals of charity, 
 
 Peasting in fearlessness, and thanklessness ; 390 
 
 Clouds without water, borne about of winds ; 
 Trees, whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, 
 Uprooted ; raging bUlows of the sea. 
 Out-foaming their own shame ; and wandering stars, 
 To whom the blackness of deep darkness is 395 
 
 Eeserved for ever : mockers walking stUl 
 After their own ungodly lusts, and who 
 Divide themselves, the moieties of men, 
 Sensual, of spirit emptied utterly. 
 
 And every Star that watcheth in the sky, 400 
 
 Hath, to his jealous God, his record borne 
 Of adoration strange ; and, from her sphere, 
 The Moon hath also lifted up her voice, 
 And the bright Sun, abashed, doth veil his beams.' 
 
 Hereat, the heart of Earth sobbed forth aloud : 405 
 
 Then Phanuel sought with these to solace her. 
 
 ' Sorrowful mother of a sinful race, 
 "Whose hearts I fain would turn to holiness ; 
 Hear what my anxious care has learned for thee. 
 In Heaven there have been goings to and fro ; 410 
 
 And, from among the Mjrrtle-trees, the Angel 
 Called to the Eiders on the blood-red Horses, 
 
320 . BUDAEI. 
 
 "Who are ye ? and they answered : "We are they 
 
 "Whom he hath sent to travel, up and down, 
 
 Thorough the earth. "Well, asked the questioner : 415 
 
 Is earth at peace ? As yet, the Courier said. 
 
 She sitteth still . . she is at rest as yet.' 
 
 Then thus the Mother. ' 'Tis the deepest calm. 
 Heralds the wildest tempest evermore.' 
 
 ' Trust in the Father ; he is merciful.' 420 
 
 Thus "Uriel comforted her misery. 
 
 So she departed ; having, from his fount 
 Of light her horn replenished : her aspect 
 Grlowed in his glory, radiant as the eve ; 
 And the tall turrets of her diadem, 425 
 
 Fused by Ms eye, shone like a molten sea. 
 
 "Who then had gazed into the billowy west. 
 Had deemed that Uriel on his orb decliiied. — 
 How beautiful his glory : how intense 
 The beauty : how poetical in dew : 430 
 
 How bright the crown of beams around his brows, 
 Im'paradising, with their burning bues, 
 The clouds voluminous ; that, in their joy, 
 Change to a myriad tints ineffable, 
 
 Grorgeously circling his refulgent throne, 435 
 
 And it, in undulating majesty. 
 Pageant to ocean, a glad company. 
 
 III. 
 
 And Michael soared into the Heaven of heaven : 
 But Phanuel sought the earth ; such charge he had, 
 For Samiasa doomed to deepest grave 440 
 
 Of stem humility, that he might rise 
 To more salvation, cleansed of fatal pride. 
 Deep in Dudael, voluntary now, 
 Had he retired to brood upon the state 
 Of the rebellious world,' and on the sin 445 
 
PHANUEL, AND SAMIASA. 321 
 
 Unspeakable, yet in mysterious sleep 
 By Amazarah uttered. And he cast, 
 How he the horrid purpose, she had sworn 
 To the infernal Powers, might best impede. 
 
 Wrath in his soul was kindled : ' Eule hath gone,' 450 
 Said he, ' from man ; dominion is no more. 
 All Ordinance hath vanished from all lands. 
 Because my sceptre ceased to sway the earth, 
 That I, her victor, had commanded once. ^ 
 I will resume authority, and make 455 
 
 Due compensation for whatever wrong 
 Was then by me committed ; will restore 
 The worship of the One, the Only-True ; , 
 
 And win obedience to the ancient ways.' 
 
 Then Phanuel stood before him — clad in light, 460 
 
 More pure than of the Sun — a frowning god. 
 
 ' Thou f ' said the Angel : ' thou hast even prepared 
 The heavens, and set thy compass on the deep ; 
 Their clouds established, and her fountains filled ; • 
 
 Secured the earth's foundations, and thereof 465 
 
 The measures hast appointed. Thereon thou 
 Hast stretched the line, and laid its corner stone. 
 'Ocean flows in the hollow of thy hand. 
 And the proud isles thou liftest easily. ■ 
 For is not Samiasa more than dust, 470 
 
 And his right arm can save him ? ' 
 
 Inly groaned 
 The fallen King. ' Then verily am I 
 A Shadow on the earth, and better 'tis 
 That I should die than live.' 
 
 ' All men are such,' 
 Beplied the Angel ; • all such doom awaits ; 475 
 
 And who art thou that thou shouldst save the earth, 
 And at the Judgements of thy Grod repine ? ' 
 
 Then Samiasa murmured : 
 
 ' Better 'twere, 
 
322 BTIDAEl. 
 
 No pardon were vouchsafed unto my sins. 
 
 If no atonement may be -wrought by me. 480 
 
 *Tis well that I be -wroth, even unto death.' 
 
 Hereat wept Phanuel. "With his flowing tears. 
 The heart of Samiasa melted too ; 
 And his majestic mien all tenderness 
 Became ; and, like a child, he listened now 485 
 
 The gracious Angel's words. 
 
 ' Thou tnowest not 
 ■ The heart of man ; what wickedness is there ; 
 And deemest of the race, and, in thy kind, 
 Even of thyself, more highly than should be. 
 Hence rightjy thou hast said, atonement ought 490 
 
 By thee be rendered ; but thou errest still. 
 Thou canst do nothing — but thou mayst endure. 
 Hence needs it thou be taught, what is in man, 
 What rank corruption ; and, by knowing this. 
 Humility know too. I grieve for thee 495 
 
 To think of thine extreme, and more should grieve 
 But that the end is motive to the means. 
 Care not for thy great Mother's Oath infem ; 
 Impediment awaits it from above. 
 
 And loth am I to say that chief by her, 500 
 
 In what thou now art ignorant, -will come 
 To thee the penal cleansing of thy soul, 
 So that no pride rise in thy heart again.' 
 
 Silent the monarch heard admonishment ; 
 And, -with a troubled brow, the G-enius kind 505 
 
 Bade him farewell awhile. 
 
 Soon o'er his mind 
 The gathering darkness Samiasa felt ; 
 And passively submitted, while on him 
 Came the once dreaded Change. The demon spell 
 Was in his soul again j and prostrate he, 510 
 
 A creature prone, sank down into the sands. 
 
 Phanuel meantime sought Hherem ; and him found 
 
JHAlfTJETi, AND SAMIASA. 323 
 
 "Within that Cainite Capitol, even in 
 The Temple of great Mammon, brooding ill- 
 Glad by his mean Azaradel withdrawn ^ 515 
 From Amazarah — with his absence pleased — 
 As fitting opportunity to put 
 That Oath in act, he had himself imposed 
 On the lost Queen in Hades. Glad his heart, 
 Her rival progeny should be to Hell 5^" 
 In sacrifice presented ; and, at once, 
 Her jealousy, and his, in blood assuaged. 
 
 But otherwise 'twas ordered — for on him 
 Now Phanuel with celestial vigour seized. 
 And bare into Dudael. For the rest, ^"^ 
 
 The Angel knew, that midst of her attempt 
 On wicked Amazarah flood would fall. 
 And stop her further crime. Need therefore none. 
 For Samiasa's aid : nor had availed, 
 
 Even if wantiag, for mistaken he ^^^ 
 
 In the doomed Objects of the unnatural pact. 
 As yet aware not of his Mother's guilt,. 
 Nor of the Offspring of the Incestuous Queen ; 
 But deemed her Yictim-Children were none else 
 Than his bad Brother, and unwelcome Self. 635 
 
 And Phanuel brought the Fiend, where lay the King 
 Upon Dudael's sands ; and there imposed 
 On Hherem his old doom ; that he might teach 
 To Samiasa, 'twas of privilege. 
 Freely bestowed by God, he had been Man. 540 
 
 Such office was the demon's, self abased, 
 Man's nature to the bestial to subdue, 
 And, by unutterable sympathy, 
 Partake humiliation so profound ; 
 
 A penal task. Albeit he had forgone 545 
 
 His own prerogatives, and was content 
 To bow his functions to the creeping thing, 
 That feeds on carrion, and on carcases : 
 
 t2 
 
324 DTIDAEL. 
 
 From such abasement as the monarch's soul 
 
 Was doomed to, yet, repugnant, he recoiled, 550 
 
 Astonished, and abhorrent. But the Power 
 
 Impelled him from above ; and he fell down, 
 
 And ate the dust : so deep his misery, 
 
 He might not even in anguish gnash his teeth ; 
 
 Much less give sorrow words. And so his soul 555 
 
 Consumed in silence ; punishment most meet, 
 
 Por him, degraded wiUingly. How keen, 
 
 Shrunk from his pride, and lapsed from such estate, 
 
 Were the affliction, and the agony 
 
 That seared the monarch's heart. How hot the fire 560 
 
 In which his will was tried, and purified. 
 
 — But patient he endured, and murmured not.-^ 
 
 Dudael round them in a circle spread. 
 And them enclasped within his mighty arms. 
 Who recked not of his doings. The Simoom, 565 
 
 That parches the red air with arid heat. 
 And poisons nature with his sulphurous breath, 
 Swept over them unheeded — though the blast 
 Did, like the wrath of the tornado, whirl. 
 Did, like the water-spout of ocean, whelm, 570 
 
 The pensive pilgrim, lonely amid the wild. 
 Or merchant, and his numerous company ; 
 A thousand corses withered by the storm. 
 Putrid, and swoln, and scorching on the sands. 
 — Surged to the clouds, they darkle, like a wood, 575 
 
 Within the heavy sky, the violet sun ; 
 And, flecked by his bright rays, seem shafts of fire, 
 Pillars of flame, and columns all a-blaze. 
 Or moving fortress armed with demon bands. 
 Three days the tempest glowed, the vision glared : 580 
 
 Them, prostrate, the hot gale might visit not; 
 Nor the dread pageant awe. The Sarsar sped 
 His ice bolts through the wide waste wilderness ; 
 And, from his black surcharged cloud aloft, 
 
SATAN, AND AZAZIEL. 325 
 
 Made desolation yet more desolate 585 
 
 With cold: whereto the cold within the land 
 
 Of Hades, or the frozen tracts of Hell, 
 
 Were comparable only ; so intense, 
 
 Extreme, and bitter : and it smote all things, 
 
 And in the heart of all things mortal burned ; 590 
 
 Tree, bole, and branches, with the writhen bolt 
 
 Of winter blasted, leafless, barkless, sapless, 
 
 Bare, and of life devoid. And herb, and weed 
 
 Withered ; and, in their headlong torrent, floods 
 
 Congealed, and stiffened to a stony sheet. 595 
 
 The wild steed stood aghast, whom rein had ne'er 
 
 Checked ; now, by more than human vigour curbed. 
 
 And, in the human veins, the vigourous blood 
 
 Was shackled ; and the rivers of the heart 
 
 Were as a sealed fountain ; and the veins, 600 
 
 Parched, became brittle, like to glass, and brake ; 
 
 Or hardened into marble. Over them 
 
 The ice-wind wrought its work : but, on the ground. 
 
 They clasped the bosom of maternal earth, 
 
 Unconscious ; and the spirit's misery 6Q5 
 
 Had made the flesh Lasensible to change. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Who walked upon the whirlwind that o'erwhelmed ? 
 Who sped the unerring arrows that destroyed ? 
 Satan rode on the whirlwind that o'erwhelmed ; 
 Azaziel sped the arrows that destroyed. 610 
 
 They came in their pavilions, tended thus 
 With their selected ministers : their tramp 
 £ang as of armies on a rocky pass, 
 Eeverberate- by the surrounding cliffs ; 
 'Their voices, as the roar of cataracts, 615 
 
 Hurled from a thousand hills enskied in heaven, 
 Eesounded, and astounded, with the noise 
 
326 BIfDAEIi. 
 
 And repercussion, all tliat neighbpurliood. 
 Of nature's desolation, and of man's. 
 
 Descending from his secret place of storms, 620 
 
 Issued to sight the Majesty of Hell. 
 His foot clanged resonant on the trembling ground. 
 And his dilating presence royally 
 Spread o'er the wUds, and stretched into the clouds. 
 Grloomed o'er his brow the infernal diadem, 625 
 
 Like a black crag projected o'er a cliff. 
 White as the surge, the barrier of the main ; 
 And, like a blasted orb once oTer-bright, 
 His eye, a min, burned ; and on his cheek. 
 Immortal Beauty hideously shone : 630 
 
 A wreck as of a noble Ship long tost, 
 Stanced, where it rived', amid the calmed sea. 
 Sublime though desolate, and beautiful 
 Though loveless ; for her sails the winds about 
 Woo idly, and play round her keel the waves, 635 
 
 Eecoiling, as in wonder, evermore. 
 Of her the mariner shall fable, how. 
 When withered by the seasons utterly, 
 She yet at night walks o'er the waters wide. 
 With all her bravery flaunting to the stars, 640 
 
 Weft of the wave, the Spectre of a ship, 
 And on her deck the Spirits of the crew ; 
 While haunted ocean, in the shadowy gleams 
 Of the pale moon, looks ghostly, and aghast. 
 — Nor seemed less dreamy now the desart drear, 645 
 
 Than that old forest of the after-world. 
 Wherein the goblin guard, with impious pomp, 
 Held festival, whence awed fled all, save one : 
 He, through the fiery city high as heaven, 
 Passed bravely, unhurt ; anon, by pity stayed, . . 650 
 
 For lo, each tree possessing sense, and speech, • 
 
 The wounded rind forth gushed with human blood ; 
 ?ut, from the pleasant isle redeemed at length, 
 
SATAN, AND AZAZIEIi. 327 
 
 TJnmoved by souncl, or sight, or amorous wile 
 Of her, love-lorn, whose palace had been erst G55 
 
 His o'er-Bweet prison, thence the Appointed chased 
 Phantasm, and shape, and unessential flame. 
 
 But now no mortal virtue might dissolve 
 The terrours here : not visionary these ; 
 But real, and substantial as the being 660 
 
 Of the immortal spirit, in the mind 
 Of unobscurable humanity. 
 Tet less to them they hover round about, 
 Than is a dream, forgotten ere the dawn. 
 To him whose quiet conscience sleeps serene. 665 
 
 Then Satan, with a mighty voice, which shook 
 The wilderness, to Hherem cried aloud : 
 ' Sleeper, what dreamst, in sleep profound as death, 
 Albeit not death — for spirit cannot die ? 
 Of universal scorn, that, from the courts 670 
 
 Of hell, thee followed with disdainful hiss. 
 O'er Chaos, on thy way abrupt, and wild. 
 Precipitate, confounded, and debased ; 
 From the dimensions of spiritual life 
 Dwarfed wilfully, the demon of the brute ? 675 
 
 The brute hath sense, and oft, half reasoning. 
 Is of much understanding capable ; 
 The worm owns feeling, and the insect worlds. 
 That are as of the dust with which they blend, 
 And seem but as its atoms most minute, 680 
 
 Have motion, life, are sensible to pain 
 And pleasure animal, though lowest kind. 
 And least degree. But thou art less than these : 
 A grain of sand is as a god tothee. 
 
 And thou to be the god unto the man 685 
 
 Who late was as a god unto mankind ? 
 Astonishment invests me like a robe 
 Of poison, shrivels my angelic veins, 
 Consumes my blood, and licks it up like fire. 
 
328 BUDAEL. 
 
 Awake, thou sleeper of the sleep of death, 690 
 
 All hut aunihilation. . Wilt not wake ? 
 Then slumber on eternally — sleep on ; 
 Inanimate of bestial, as befits.' 
 
 Thus, half in ire, and half in bitter seom, 
 The Archfiend raged ; and felt, in sooth, his blood, 695 
 Lapped in his reins as with a fiery tongue, 
 Celestial ichor with infernal flame. 
 For him within the consubstantial hell 
 Burned ; and, perchance, to desperate act had wrought. 
 Pain unendurable to mitigate, 709 
 
 But that Azaziel, the destroying One, 
 Swept by, borne in his icy chariot ; whence 
 Alighted now, he rested on his scythe 
 Magnificent, wherewith he moweth down 
 "Whole armies, front to front, in radiant rank 705 
 
 Opposed . . proud, brave, and ardent ; prodigal 
 Of active energy, and breathing life, 
 Seeking for fame in gore-aecursfed deeds. 
 In death, and dust for immortality. 
 
 Of old, on plains celestial, he was bred 710 
 
 To sports heroic, and in valourous play 
 Had joyaunce, and delight. He loved to list 
 The trump of battle braze the ardent air. 
 And gird him with divinest panoply, 
 On mountain, or ia mead. And, in the vale 715 
 
 Of slumber, he had visions of bright fame, 
 And glory without end ; and held it eath. 
 To soar above the Heavens infinite. 
 Or into central Hades, a.nd beneath 
 
 The unfathomable to descend, so he 720 
 
 Might lead bright Honour captive, or redeem 
 From durance far remote, obscure, and old. 
 And, haunted by the shadow of such dreams. 
 He ranged heaven's champain, a chivalric youth. 
 
SATAW, AND AZAZIEL. 329 
 
 In quest ambitious of great enterprise, 725 
 
 To tourney witli his equals, and prevailed. 
 They wrestled in the strife of sacred lore. 
 And where their weapons wounded there they healed, 
 For sin was not, and pain no spirit knew, 
 Till Lucifer aspired, ere long o'erthrown. 730 
 
 Exiled from heaven, he made wild work in hell, 
 And desolation marked his whereabout, 
 And aught of Order his transmuting spear 
 To chaos turned, to dissolution waste. 
 His front was scarred with thunder ; and, above, 735 
 
 His battered helmet loured with lurid gleam. 
 As in the pregnant bosom of a cloud 
 Broods lightning, ripe for birth. His bloodshot eye 
 Gleamed mockery ; his features were enlarged. 
 As if a rock could smUe that had no heart, 740 
 
 "With unangelic fulgour ; and his words 
 Smote keenly cold the spirit they discoursed. 
 ' Prince of dark Powers, proud Autocrat of Air ; 
 
 let there not be told, within the realms 
 
 Of ether, or the gates of the abyss, 745 
 
 Of strange amazement thus disparaging 
 
 The majesty of unadoring hell. 
 
 Say, why is not thy bosom mailed as mine. 
 
 Thy soul as stem, thy heart as pitiless ? 
 
 Think on the day when thy bold voice declared 750 
 
 The race of angels free. Did I not go 
 
 To that great battle, as a festival, 
 
 For which I was athirst ? Drunk with delight, 
 
 1 svept destroying on. This lance erewhile 
 
 That quickened where it vanquished, now dissolved 755 
 
 Each substance to its elements, approved 
 
 How mutable, and chased from form to form. 
 
 Annihilate I could not, though I would. 
 
 But I might change, and dissipate, and scathe. 
 
 Earth feels my tread, and quakes. Fear, and Decay, 760 
 
330 DTJDAEL. 
 
 ramine, and Death, Storm, "War, and Pestilence, 
 
 Confess my presence, as of him they serve, 
 
 Obey my mastery, worship me as god. 
 
 And do my bidding whatsoe'er I will. 
 
 Change daunts not me, nor ruin makes afraid.' 765 
 
 To whom thus Satan, gradually awaked. 
 Sadly rephed. ' Change I can contemplate, 
 
 Angel, unamazed ; such change as thou 
 Canst pleased behold, or gloriously produce. 
 
 Can Spirit be less privileged than that, 770 
 
 Which, in despite of efforts such as thine, 
 
 Subsists, in every change, and is in all, 
 
 By its own properties, identified ? 
 
 Here lost I seem in wonder, like a man 
 
 Grazing upon a corse amazedly, — 775 
 
 He sees the attributes of body there, 
 
 But all the appertenance of spirit gone ; 
 
 Tet, by the strange exception unconvinced. 
 
 That what has been can ever cease to be. 
 
 Of what once reasoned — willed — what here remains ? 780 
 
 Insensible, inert, inanimate. 
 
 Of what had motion, and was sensitive, 
 
 Perplexes reason ; wisdom fails me here. 
 
 Can He, who claims Creatour to have been. 
 
 Deprive the rational of faculty ? 785 
 
 Why not of being ? and annihilate 
 
 Essence spiritual, as it seems he can. 
 
 That by which only it may be discerned P 
 
 This, Angel, is a work thou canst not do, 
 
 Nor canst reverse. Thou canst not waken him.* 790 
 
 ,' Let Him who lulled him to so sound a sleep. 
 Do that :' replied the War-Piend truculent ; 
 ' If that He did the work, or can undo. 
 
 1 rather argue for His impotence, 
 
 Than His omnipotence, which not consists 795 
 
 With liberty. Ton spirit had his wUl, 
 
SATAN, Alfl) AZAZIEL. 331 
 
 "Whicli him disposing to the lowest life, 
 
 He gravitated even unto this ; 
 
 •The Tyrant him restrained not, if he could. 
 
 All things are'free, as in the realties 800 
 
 Of Spirit, so iji Nature ; who, to change 
 
 So prone, so free, is ever bom anew, 
 
 And propagated, and for ever teems 
 
 Herself with births ; torn with perpetual throes, 
 
 Big with mischance, and procreant of caprice. 805 
 
 What power restrains the Avalanche i' He sweeps 
 
 Terribly from the hills ; and, with his foot. 
 
 Slays, and entombs, a snowy monument. 
 
 The Glacier, on his unobstructed way, 
 
 Goeth precipitate, an icy scythe, 810 
 
 And moweth more than armies in his march. 
 
 Who lets the Earthquake, when she minds to heave 
 
 Cities from their foundations ? On the shore. 
 
 The Whirlwind, and Tornado have their wiU ; 
 
 And, on the sea, the Tempests do their work ; 815 
 
 Ajid poor Humanity endures the wreck. 
 
 The Waves sport freely in the eye of Heaven ; 
 
 Who checks the Winds ? they blow even as they list. 
 
 For Liberty is the sole law that moves 
 
 The indefatigable Universe. 820 
 
 Lo, we are free ; and may be what we wUl : 
 
 We win be gods, and shall be ; nay, we are ; 
 
 Or if not yet, and we have much to win, 
 
 'Tis but because 't is easier far to fall 
 
 Than to ascend, as once we proved too well. 825 
 
 We are conquered, but our wills remain as free ; 
 
 And Patience, well opposed, may outwear Power. 
 
 Meantime, we hurl defiance at His throne. 
 
 And thrive on hate. — My charmed spear could once 
 
 Eevive what seemed as dead : that spell has now 830 
 
 Departed, nor would I desire it back ; 
 
 It went even with my wish, and at mv wUl. 
 
332 ■ DUDAEL. 
 
 But it may operate mutation yet, 
 
 Or in that corse, or spirit like a corse, 
 
 And re-establish in thy heart contempt 835 
 
 Of Power defied, and, not Almighty, scorned.' 
 
 He, thus blaspheming, smote them with his lance, 
 That straight returned eflFectless to his hand. 
 Whereat enraged, he but the more blasphemed. 
 But Satan from that unapparent thing, 84© 
 
 (As hard for mind angelic to conceive. 
 As matter void of form, unqualified. 
 For human intellect, however wise,) 
 Averted his sad eye; and thus his mate 
 Admonished. ' Fury of infirmity 845 
 
 Eeports ; Leader of Hosts, and Lord of War. 
 Beseems it us, whether He be, or not 
 Omnipotent, and may annihilate 
 Substance with attribute, yet to retain 
 Consistency, Eternity's sole law ; 850 
 
 And change not in our hate, though he destroy. 
 And I have practised with the minds of power, 
 "Whence strife shall grow, that shall repair defeat. 
 Lately experienced from the sacred hill, 
 Of Paradise, and, with more sure result, 85$ 
 
 Make earth our own, and give thy hands to do 
 "What fits them most, and best thy heart afiects.' 
 
 END or ELETENTH BOOS. 
 
BOOK THE TWELFTH. 
 
 I. 
 
 CoMMTTsmfG thus, much truth and falsehood mixed « 
 
 In their discourse, they heard the hunter's voice, 
 
 The hunter's voice within the wilderness — 
 
 A solitary shout, a lone halloo. 
 
 Well answered by the twain, who recognized 5 
 
 Azaradel, the brother of the king. 
 
 Usurper of his vacant throne, and worse, 
 
 The couch paternal, an incestuous man. 
 
 Arrived where now they stood, the audacious heir 
 
 Of premature perdition, mate of fiends, 10 
 
 Paused, . . not in wonder, but as having found 
 
 "Who to his cry responded. Pair of form 
 
 As Belial, and attempering arrogance 
 
 "With much lascivious grace ; his presence bore 
 
 No stern rebuke, but pleasing dignity 15 
 
 Sate throned in comely pride : yetj couched beneath 
 
 That princely semblance, slunk a cruel heart. 
 
 An iron crown was girt around his brows. 
 
 And with his liquid, and voluptuous mien. 
 
 Made contrast strange ; a merry eye was his, 20 
 
 A mellow cheek, a nostrU dissolute, 
 
 A melting lip, yet curled as in contempt 
 
 Sportively. Like a morning iris arched 
 
 O'er the deep music of a cataract. 
 
 The imperial purple glowed about his limbs. 25 
 
 Lofty of stature, and of port erect ; 
 
 A giant, or a demigod, he stood : 
 
 Like a fair hill, fit for an angel's choice, 
 
334i THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 When lie from some connnanding eminence, 
 
 "Would tell his heavenly errand — now a throne 30 
 
 Whence demons uttered the decrees of hell. 
 
 In pride of heart, and strength of sorcery ; 
 Despite the'Simoom's, and the Sarsar's rage ; 
 He dared, through the wild desart, to pursue 
 Behemoth. With a courtly train, he went 35 
 
 Forth from the Cainite palace ; and aroused 
 Earth's biggest bom from his enormous lair. 
 Chief of the ways of G-od, compact of might 
 And hugeness . . sinewy, strong, and valourous. 
 The stormy perils daunted even him ; 40 
 
 But man, the fiercer savage urged him out. 
 And braved the sulphurous whirlwind, and the cold : 
 Not long ; — part, smitten prostrate by the blast. 
 Lay on the sands unburied, and the rest 
 Were frozen into monumental ice. 4iJ 
 
 But him his spells, and mother's magic skill. 
 And the protection of the fiends, preserved ; 
 Although astounded, and well nigh destroyed, 
 In the convulsion of the elements. 
 
 Subsided then, each dissipated sense 50 
 
 Eestored ; — his shout for help was recognized 
 Even by the twain whom he encountered now. 
 
 O'er whom they hovered soon he understood, 
 And his bad heart dilated. ' What, thus low ? 
 Thus with the dust confounded, thou, whose soul 55 
 
 Aspired beyond the visible confine, 
 Ethereal — after whom were cities named — 
 And to whose folly men bowed down the knee 
 In greater folly ? Adon, yet they say. 
 Our father, did resent thy growing pride, 60 
 
 And smote thee thus : howbeit, I maintain, 
 'Twas from afiiection to his younger son ; 
 Though he despise both thee, and him alike.' 
 
 Thus he, in pleasant vein. To whom ji'eplied 
 
AZAEATEIi. 335 
 
 Azaziel. ' Sweeter than an infant's prayer, 65 
 
 The scorner's depthless voice and hollow gloze. 
 
 What reckst thou of things hallowed ? fleshly-wise, 
 
 Thou lovest to enjoy substantial bliss, 
 
 No shadowy dream, like what fair Armon's sons 
 
 Would fain withal their souls imparadise. 70 
 
 Scorn they these carnal joys ? Once more we'll prove. 
 
 Their sense refined not free from pain, like his, 
 
 — (It pleases thee, I see it in thine eye,) — 
 
 On whom no temporal, or eternal thing 
 
 Hath power of change, immaculate in death.' 75 
 
 Then did Azaradel rejoice, and say — 
 ' 'Tis bravely thought, 'twere braver far to do. 
 My soul upon the present I expend : 
 For fools who mortify the fleshly mind, 
 Be that reversional eternity. - 80 
 
 And hath it Samiasa come to this ? 
 Less than the dust thou scomedst ? less than he 
 Thou tauntedst with his altogether clay ?' 
 
 But now with graver brow whereon sate pride. 
 Its proper throne, Satan the levity 85 
 
 Of their slight parle rebuked. 
 
 ' Such style of speech 
 Suits not the politic, and wary mind. 
 This present pleasure that thou prizest so, 
 Thou of our grace enjoyest ; as even now 
 Thy safety in the storm of hot, and cold. 90 
 
 Bat lo, no tyrants, we no service ask . 
 TJnpleasing ; such only as gives rein to mirth 
 Or ere the doing. We have filled thy sense 
 Topfull of joyaunce, nor from thee withheld 
 High Amazarah, proudly beautiful — 95 
 
 how thou lovedst her as sons seld love 
 
 The mother of their manhood : How she loves 
 Thee as seld mothers love the sons they bore." 
 
 1 mark thy swimming eye, thy purpled cheek 
 
§36 THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 I see — I feel thy beating heart. 'Tis great 100 
 
 To conquer nature, to be freed from law.' 
 
 Then- thus Azaradel • . ' High Lord of Hell, 
 I've worshipt at thy feet, thy slave for this. 
 How love the lawless impulse did resist, 
 Whereto it yielded yet . . the strife . . the strife, 105 
 
 Which it o'ercame, yet never reconciled, 
 Endless excitement evermore renewed. 
 But now another boon' — 
 
 More had he said. 
 While the incestuous man voluptuous sighed, 
 And at infernal feet lascivious sank, 110 
 
 O'ercome with fancy. But his speech had done 
 What to Azaziel's spear so late had proved 
 Impracticable. Horrour of the crime, 
 Wherewith the very dust was animate, 
 Thrilled Bamiasa, and a miracle 115 
 
 Performed, even by a power of wickedness 'i 
 
 Subtler than magic. Swifter than at touch 
 Of spell-rod, or a charming verse ; the King 
 Arose, and o'er his prostrate brother stood 
 Terribly eminent. Was never yet 120 
 
 His visage marred as now ; a thunderstroke 
 Had not so much disfigured that sublime 
 Forehead, whereon of old sate thought enthroned, 
 And yet in ruin there was visible ; 
 
 Though shaded o'er with horrour dark as Hell : 125 
 
 Not totally obscured . . and thus he spake. 
 While with new fear the incestuous bit the ground. 
 
 ' What, she, whose beauty was so terrible, 
 Whose courage wooed her merited reward 
 Of ample realm, and huge metropolis ; 130 
 
 Ay, for surpassing bravery, merited 
 Power, and aU adoration, like a god ? 
 What, she, whose speech was like a spell of power. 
 And spake a country, and a capitol, 
 
AZABADEIi. 
 
 337 
 
 Into immortal life, . . whose lip was scorn, 135 
 
 Whose eye was lightning, and the index of 
 
 A spirit like the lightning, but more quick 
 
 To dare, and execute ? She, who could call 
 
 G-hosts from the grave, and spirits from the sky. 
 
 As with the thunder's voice ? She, to succumb 140 
 
 From all this greatness, condescend to mix 
 
 With that which owed her duty . . gratitude 
 
 For life bestowed, and nourished, and preserved, 
 
 Out of her substance P Adon ; my sire ; 
 
 If that thou be'st a god, make it appear. 145 
 
 Vengeance on the unfilial. None but he ? 
 
 Oh, I did check the deep contempt I felt. 
 
 Because he was my brother, for the stuff 
 
 Whereof he was compact. He, Aden's son ? 
 
 Child of a fiend, thou progeny of Hell, 150 
 
 I'll tread upon thee as, with iron foot. 
 
 Death treads on the cold forehead of the fallen. 
 
 He is no son of thine — wherefore restrain 
 
 My fury ? — Adon ; he is no son of thine. 
 
 — No, no. I shall grow proud to have performed 155 
 
 A deed so great, and merit deeper doom. 
 
 'Tis for the righteous hand, and humble heart, 
 
 To recompense His vengeance, who repays. 
 
 I bow me to thy will, oh, Grod of gods.' 
 
 So saying, his strength did fail him, and he sank 160 
 Into the sands, and like to them became ; 
 Deepest abasement, and pride's mortal wound. 
 
 When from amaze recovered, after long 
 And deadly silence, Satan thus pursued 
 His wily purpose — 
 
 ' Eise, and heed not, King, 165 
 
 The maniac words now hushed ; unless thou wouldst 
 Be like their utterer, a corse — save when 
 We touch him into mimic life for sport— 
 
338 THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 Awake. Arise.' 
 
 So by their help he rose. 
 ' This was no work of yours.' 
 
 ' No ; for we make 170 
 
 No such wiad-instruments, vessels, else void, 
 Of inspiration. "We make Souls indeed. 
 That have both wiU, and purpose of their own, 
 And take some credit for. the work they do ; 
 Obstinate Spirits, to resist, and dare, 175 
 
 Like thee, whom in their pleasure we protect. 
 Thou seest His power, and ours thou knowst — on us 
 Thy joys depend. Prepare to yield them now ; 
 Or league with us.' 
 
 • Te are my gods : — and now. 
 Give Hear unto, my boon. Maternal charms 180 
 
 Of Amazarah, most majestioal 
 Of women, wisest, and most amorous, 
 Please me no more. In Mammon's temple lies 
 Edna, awaiting visit of the G-od, 
 
 Shrined in my person, not with love, but hate — 1 85. 
 
 Now prosper my attempt, when I descend, 
 Mid deep of night, in aU my deity. 
 On the expectant virgin.' 
 
 ' This we know. — 
 Now learn from us, that all thine ample realm 
 Is in revolt, and wiU. confess no right 190 
 
 Hereditary, honour, or command, 
 Nor regal power ; and they have risen wild 
 'Gainst Amazarah, and her Sorceries, 
 And him who would be Monarch. Hear us now. 
 Who would subvert Authority, though bad, 195 
 
 Best serves our aims — 'twas for that end we warred 
 Against the Eternal. "With the people, league 
 'Gainst Amazarah ; so thou best mayst curb 
 Her jealousy of Edna, and secure 
 Thy new-made joys in peace.' 
 
AZABADEL. 
 
 339 
 
 'Te couBsel well.' 200 
 
 ' Then we are tbine . . thy refuge, and thy rock.' 
 
 So grimly pleased, Azaziel smiled. 
 
 'Behold 
 A pattern of our power.' 
 
 Therewith he shrilled 
 A subtle sound that pierced the wilderness. 
 Not long unanswered. Hark, a silver neigh 205 
 
 Articulates the desart of the air, 
 And thrills the quaking echoes with sweet sounds. 
 All wanton as a mare in merry May, 
 A Steed milk -coloured, sudden at his feet, 
 Kneels in soft duty, beautiful of shape, 210 
 
 And fiery keen of eye, albeit suppressed. 
 
 ' Mount,' said the Demon to the demonised, 
 ' For she will bear thee well, the desart-bom, 
 Thorough the desart, whose wild perils else 
 Thou yet wouldst scape not.' 
 
 At the word, he sprang 215 
 Upon that strange steed's back, and swift away — 
 Afar — until the extreme Dudael's bounds 
 He reached ; dismounting thence, he sped bis way 
 Now safe, and she into the wild returned. 
 
 And Man hath lost his Sabbath-warning now ; 220 
 
 For when the Angel of Eepentance came 
 Upon the next, he found the King abased, 
 Past wakening, now more than ever lapsed 
 In last humility — extreme, intense, 
 
 Not to be broken, a deep slumber, as 22-3 
 
 Of death, but deadlier. Then the Seraph wept 
 Angelic tears, and said ; — 
 
 ' From midst the heavens 
 I called ; when in thy pride, thou walkedst forth 
 Among the multitudes, a human god : 
 Called from amidst the heavens audibly. 230 
 
 z 2 
 
340 THE JTTDGEMENT. 
 
 Alas ; how art thou fallen, Lucifer : 
 
 Son of the Morning, how thou fallen art. 
 
 Tet, surely Gf-od speaks through me. Thou hast now 
 
 Of thine abasement found the deepest deep ; 
 
 More hope, then, bitter suffering shall have end, 235 
 
 And such repentance perfect be anon. 
 
 And thou arise more glorious from thy shame. 
 
 And as thy fall thine exaltation be. 
 
 — But not on earth. On thee the Flood shall fall, 
 
 But thou shalt know it not ; and all thy frame 240 
 
 Be buried in the Deluge-soU, but thou 
 
 Shalt feel it not, and herein shalt be blest — 
 
 O Samiasa ; wisest Man of men.' 
 
 So spake the pitying Seraph, bathed in floods 
 Of sorrow ; sorrow that excels all joy, 245 
 
 In joy. Who feel not, never can be blest ; 
 But the susceptible, albeit to pain. 
 In love, and pity so watched Phanuel there. 
 And guarded him the livelong Sabbath through ; 
 And there till Deluge fell, and while it stormed, 250 
 
 Lay Samiasa in that death of death ; 
 The quick soul buried in a sepulchre 
 Of torpid dust, which mutability 
 Changed not, supported by supernal Power 
 Divine. The Seasons did their work — Day, Kight 255 
 Past o'er, — the Simoom's, and the Sarsar's rage 
 Altern destroyed, unheeded yet by him, 
 The spirit's grief absorbing fleshly pain. 
 
 II. 
 
 Nor was the Flood delayed. Defended still 
 From popular tumult in a cloudy shrine, 260 
 
 Noah abode, and ready made the Ark, 
 He, and his Sons. 
 
 At length, from Adam's Vale, 
 
THE AKK. 341 
 
 Elihu came — ' Thus saith the Eternal'— (thus 
 
 Elihu spake) — ' thus saith to Noah now, 
 
 Even by me. Come thou, and all thy house 265 
 
 Into the Ark, for righteous thee have I 
 
 Before me in this generation seen. 
 
 Of every clean beast take thou unto thee 
 
 By sevens, male, and female ; and of beasts 
 
 That are not clean by tvro, these likewise male, 270 
 
 And female ; to keep seed alive upon 
 
 The face of all the earth. For yet seven days, 
 
 And it I'll cause to rain upon the earth : 
 
 Days forty, and nights forty, shall it rain; 
 
 And every living substance I have made 275 
 
 WiU I destroy from off the face of earth.' 
 
 He said ; and Noah followed then his steps 
 Into the Vale of Adam; where yet Ham 
 • Abode, with the creation animal. 
 
 Anon, forth of that wilderness they came, 280 
 
 With the inferiour creatures, toward the Ark : 
 The fierce, and gentle, and the wild, and tame, 
 "With the carnivorous, and those that feed 
 ' On herbs, and grasses, both of birds, and beasts. 
 Insects, and reptiles. First, the Quadrupeds 285 
 
 Came in procession : all that nurture well 
 Their offspring at the breast, resembling thus, 
 In structure, and in organs, humankind. 
 The furred, and maned preceded. Lords of all, 
 The Lion yellow-maned, ma,jestic brute, 290 
 
 Noble of gesture, regal in his gait. 
 Came, with the queenly Lioness, ahead 
 Of the innumerable throng, in pairs — 
 Conscious of great occasion, proudly shewn. 
 The lynx-like Caracal, but without spots, 295 
 
 More fierce, and savage both of mien, and mind ; 
 Carnivorous, but weak, and following slow 
 The Lion, on the fragments ever he 
 
342 THE JTJDGEJIEITT. 
 
 Of his right-royal banquet safely preys : 
 
 The Panther aad the Jaguar, beautiful 300 
 
 And mighty: the ferocious Ocelot: 
 
 The Eace Feline, sagacious — fiercest, wildest 
 
 Of all the fierce, and wild — passed, with their prey 
 
 At peace, in teriderest fellowship, and love. 
 
 — Nor was the Mouse, mean creature, yet full oft 305 
 
 Grraced with- no little elegance of shape. 
 
 And striped colour, absent ; noxious though 
 
 To housewife, and to husbandman provoked — 
 
 The cautious Mouse, freebooter mild, yet loathed. 
 
 Though not unamiable ; such the force 310 
 
 Of honest prejudice, no beauty atones 
 
 For depredation ; none the robber loves. 
 
 The Eats too; black or brown, both bold, and fierce, 
 
 The granary, barn, and storehouse to assail^ 
 
 Unnatural, that on each other prey, 315 
 
 Cains of the inferior creatures ; and next came 
 
 The fox-like Jackalls, hunting in their pack, 
 
 Full crying for the chase, a howl so loud. 
 
 The forest nobles rouse them at the noise. 
 
 And waken at the signal, apt to seize 320 
 
 The timid creatures flying from the yell. 
 
 Then came the Eace Canine : the Wolf-Dog first ; 
 An intellectual race, docile, and true ; 
 And that Hare-Indian named, a slender sort. 
 But graceful, and, with light foot, capable 325 
 
 To run unsinking o'er the crusted snow. 
 In chase of Moose, or Eeindeer ; with the friend 
 Of northern hunters, bold, and patient still. 
 Ill every nation is the Dog the friend 
 
 Of Man, and numberless of breeds as he ; 330 
 
 The Bull-Dog, and the Mastiff, and the kind 
 Who faithful watch their absent masters' wives 
 Left in their mountain-home, to strangers fierce, 
 luimical. The generous graceful Horse — 
 
THE ABE. 
 
 843 
 
 The Abb, poetic brute, and dignified 335 
 
 With great associations, patient, still, 
 
 And humble ; free of spirit yet, and dull 
 
 Then only when enslaved ; and tractable 
 
 In servitude, then only obstinate 
 
 When man's a tyrant, cruel, and severe : 340 
 
 The stripM Zebra, wild, and beautiful, 
 
 With sldn most glossy smooth, with white, and brown. 
 
 Varied the male, with black the female streaked : 
 
 The Musk-Deer, and the PaUow, and that One 
 
 Since found in Ind, the Axis, on the banks 345 
 
 Of G-anges numerous : tender-eyed Gazelle, 
 
 Elastic Deer, light-bounding on the hills : 
 
 All these, and more, came trooping of the race 
 
 Clothed with soft hair, in meet abundance given, 
 
 Accordiug to the clime, separate in most, 350 
 
 In some united into prickly spiaes ; 
 
 — Witness the snake-fed Urchin, that even here 
 
 Into a pointed circle self-involved. 
 
 Is girt with spinous armour for defence ; 
 
 And the quiU-armed uneasy Porcupine, 355 
 
 Hystrix, and the Arboreal, loving spring. 
 
 With the fasciculated, fretful all ; 
 
 Kaising its spires irate, and stamping earth, 
 
 In its defensive armour swelling big ; — 
 
 But flattened on the Manis into sharp 360 
 
 And pointed. scales, and to a shelly coat 
 
 Upon the Armadillo, strong of claw. 
 
 Nor are the bearded, and the whiskered tribe 
 Here wanting, bristly race. The Ape, and Goat — 
 The bearded Goat came with the beardless Sheep, 365 
 
 Unhorned, and homed, clad or with wool or hair, 
 A various race, and gentle ; with the Lamb, 
 Sacred for worship, innocent as love. 
 Or hope in infancy, and without spot. 
 Meek creature, blameless martyr, man to save — 370 
 
344 THE JUDOEMEIfT. 
 
 The Buffalo, and Bison, larger Ox, 
 
 Of forehead broad, and high, with withers huge. 
 
 Shaggy with hair, a black and woolly mane. 
 
 Short-horned, brief-tailed, short-legged and muscular — 
 
 The "Wild Ox, and the Zebu, and the Tak, 375 
 
 The Musk Ox, race comute, and ruminant, 
 
 Dew-lapped, robust, yet elegant of form — 
 
 The Aurochs, and the Ami. Mild the Cow, <• 
 
 Domestic, useful, yielding of her milk 
 
 For hiunan needs. Man's burthens bears full oft 380 
 
 The serviceable Ox, and for man's food 
 
 Treads out the com ; ungrateful he who seeks 
 
 The brute to muzzle, to such labour tasked. 
 
 — Callous of breast, and knee, the timid Hares 
 
 Come leaping ; and the Camels, desart-bom, 385 
 
 And in the desart faithful friends of man : 
 
 As long he. travels o'er the unbounded waste. 
 
 His water-cruise, and scrip half spent, and gone ; 
 
 His burthen-bearers through the lonely wilds ; 
 
 — O grief; though by the pang of thirst constrained, 390 
 
 To slay the loved companion of such toils. 
 
 For the refreshing stream by nature kept 
 
 In wallet at the stomach provident. — 
 
 And Llamas ruminant, yet with the hoof 
 
 TJnparted, like the Camel, and, like him, 395 
 
 Provided against thirst with water-pouch. 
 
 Also unhomed, long necked, and small of head. 
 
 Mobile of upper lip, and straightly backed ; 
 
 A rampant race, for precipices formed 
 
 To scale, and to descend, wild, bright of eye. 400 
 
 The Otter, found by river, and by lake ; 
 
 A skilful fisher, for the finny spoil 
 
 Avid, and fierce, and nourished by such food ; 
 
 Or by the sea, a bright, and beauteous thing, 
 
 Of polished black, or silvery white of hue ; 405 
 
 Parental love its passion, pining oft 
 
THE ABE. 345 
 
 To death for loss of offspring, on the spot 
 
 "Whence it was taken dying. Small the tribe ' 
 
 With it came on. But larger followed now : 
 
 The tusked Hippopotamus, uncouth 410 
 
 And heavy — slow on land, but, in the flood. 
 
 Bold, active, skilful to attack, and sink 
 
 Boats on the river, perilous to man ; 
 
 But not the Deluge might his race survive, 
 
 Save in the pair that enter now the Ark : 415 
 
 The Sea-Horse, living both on sea, and land, 
 
 On icy island, and iu ocean cave ; 
 
 And Seal, inhabitant of caves, and coasts 
 
 By the sea side — a roamer of the deep ; 
 
 Tet them had Deluge utterly destroyed, 420 
 
 If not protected thus from its dread swoop. 
 
 In fellowship, and friendship with their Prey, 
 Walked the Devourers the smooth plain along. 
 And up the sacred hill, into the Ark, 
 Appointed for their rescue by high Heaven. 425 
 
 Then followed the Oviparous broods, egg-sprung — 
 Solicitude parental needed not : 
 Of life tenacious — cold, and stem, and harsh, 
 Of blood, and face and voice, yet mild of deed, 
 And disposition ; dwellers by the sea, 430 
 
 Or in it, rivers, and their banks — the marsh — 
 The pool — the lovers of the wet, and moist ; 
 The Tortoise, Lizard, and the Crocodile. 
 Nor fierce, nor cruel, see the Crocodile, 
 With mouth beyond his ears, enormous gasp, 435 
 
 Dreadful with lipless teeth, with fiery eyes. 
 Like to the burnished eyelids of the morn. 
 As if in rage lit up, beneath a brow 
 Wrinkled in frowns for ever, terrible ; 
 Proud of his scales which close him as a seal, 440 
 
 So near together, air scarce intervenes ; 
 Sporting along the deep, beneath him boil 
 
346 THE JTTDGEMENT. 
 
 The waves like to a cauldron, and the sea 
 
 Froths as with unguents, while his glowing path 
 
 Makes hoary the great waters, wrought with foam. 445 
 
 Tet need it was that from the Deluge storm 
 
 He should be rescued, though devoid of fear, 
 
 Created to look down exalted things, 
 
 And hold high rule — a monarch over aU. 
 
 Children of Pride, who misesteem of God. 450 
 
 A sympathetic race, by hunger wrought 
 
 Only to fury ; now he glides, in peace, 
 
 To refuge from such storm as even he 
 
 Might not escape. With him the Lizard race 
 
 Came on, both emerald, and of golden hue ; 455 
 
 The changeable Chamelion — ^nor decliaed 
 
 To join the train the pleasing Basilisk, 
 
 Or Little King, whose agitated crest. 
 
 And crown erect, speak satisfaction, while, 
 
 With motion light, he glances, and reflects 460 
 
 Light various coloured from his polished scales. 
 
 The Serpent tribe succeed. Nor feet, nor wings. 
 To them belong ; yet nimble as a shaft 
 Shot from a hunter's bow, they move along 
 TJpt)n the summits of the highest trees, 465 
 
 And round their trunks, and branches as they come, 
 Twisting, and then untwisting flexibly, 
 In rapid sportiveness : of every size 
 And thickness, but all scaled; yet in the head 
 A vulnerable race : elastic, strong, 470 
 
 And brilliant both of frame, and hue. Here are 
 The Serpent of the Sea ; the Viper, green. 
 And yellow ; with the Boa, and the Snake ; 
 The Insects, and the Worms. The winged Flies, 
 Graudy of hues, and varied in their forms, 475 
 
 Swarm in the sunlight, and, as of themselves, 
 Do make a radiant atmosphere of flowers, 
 111 noiseless motion, the soul's images ; 
 
THE AEK. 347 
 
 Ants, Bees, and Beetles, Spiders, "Wasps, and Gnats, 
 
 Not mean, though small, in will as free as gods : 480 
 
 Some luminous with light of life, brief tribe. 
 
 In the shut Ark lit up their faery lamps. 
 
 Stars of its night, and made it like a heaven, 
 
 Beautiful Insects, living but to shine. 484 
 
 The Sloths were there, tree-climbers. Those not saved. 
 Were glad at first to hear the tempest storm. 
 And quickened with new life. The winds might blow, 
 The strong trees bow ; the branches did but wave. 
 And meet to form a pathway for their march : 
 Till the wild rain subdued them, and o'ertopped 490 
 
 The forests, and the mountains. Saved in vain 
 The Megatherium, and the Mastodon — 
 And huger tribes, yet by the Flood o'erthrown ; 
 Hence found in barren tracts, in sand, and ice. 
 The traveller to the Frozen Ocean bent, 495 
 
 Shall pass o'er mountains high, through valleys deep. 
 Guided by tiny brooks, and arid plains. 
 Where not a shrub appears ; last to the gulf 
 Shall come, and in the crystal mass detect 
 Carcase of Walrus — and soon after trace 500 
 
 The giant Mammoth through the melting ice ; 
 Til], at the length, the plane of its support. 
 Inclining, let it fall, by its own weight, 
 Upon a bank of sand — for ages lost, 
 
 Discovered only then, perhaps there laid 505 
 
 Embedded since the Deluge which I sing. 
 
 Then came the Birds that fly, perch, walk, or swim : 
 For each hath on the globe its proper site. 
 Highest in air the Birds of Prey upsoar. 
 On trees the Insessorial station hold, 510 
 
 Midway 'twixt air, and earth ; on earth itself 
 The Gallinaceous tribes nest, feed, and walk. 
 Their wings for flight unsuited ; fens among 
 
348 THE. JUDGEMENT. 
 
 And marslies, haunt the Waders ; and on brook 
 
 And lake and river float the Swimmer race : 515 
 
 AH these are here ; for even the ocean brood 
 
 Plood would destroy, and shipwreck of a world. 
 
 AU these, according to their several kinds. 
 
 Their classes, orders, and their families. 
 
 The Condor, and the Vulture Californ, 520 
 
 Both large of bulk ; one caruncled of beak, 
 And void of comb, but both with ruff of down, 
 Temale, and male, about the neck ornate. 
 Dwellers in air upon the peak of snow ; 
 Nor from such height descending save brought down 525 
 By hunger; when vdth beak, and talons they 
 Subdue their victim, next to banquet fall, 
 Till gorged, their wings avaU not for the flight. 
 Then on them comes the hunter, and with ease. 
 Surprising with the lasso, them secures. 530 
 
 The Caracarra, darkly beautiful, 
 And dignified of walk ; inhabitant 
 Of tree, and bush, and preying upon all ; 
 Also the Vulturine, of attitude 
 
 Erect, like eagles, in their prime of pride. 535 
 
 — The gorgeous Harpy, short of wing, robust 
 Of leg, and strong of beak, and talons curved, 
 To prey on larger kinds, a crested bird, 
 Imperial but ferocious, sternly wild. 
 
 Boldly destructive, fearing not or man, 540 
 
 Or beast ; but rare, else with tremendous power 
 'Twould rule alone — even as it loves to live, 
 Par in the solitary depth, and gloom 
 Of thickest forests, perched on tree aloft, 
 In voiceless, and in motionless repose — 545 
 
 Sans rival, or sans subject, species sole. 
 
 The Owl — the snowy Owl — nocturnal bird, 
 Untufted, small of ear, and large of eye ; 
 Hairy of leg even to the very claw ; 
 
THE AKK. 349 
 
 Of plumage soft, close, thick ; meet armour warm 550 
 
 For arctic region, burying even the beak 
 
 Within the feathery disks : the Eagle-Owl, 
 
 Plumed of head, with beak, and back, and leg, 
 
 Covered with plumage, sable-fawn of hue ; 
 
 Singular bird, and lover of the dark, 555 
 
 By day in dusk, and solitary place 
 
 Eetires he, waiting twilight, silent perched, 
 
 In all the unconscious gravity of sleep, 
 
 The type of Wisdom. Him thus sadly set 
 
 The smaller birds attack, in hate, or sport, 560 
 
 With wanton insult : teazed, but not awaked. 
 
 About his dusk retreat the dreaming Owl 
 
 ShufBies from spot to spot, or standing fixed. 
 
 His plumage ruffles, changes attitude. 
 
 Grotesque display : meanwhile his opening eyes, 565 
 
 And shutting, mirth provoke ; yet then his beak, 
 
 Hissing, or clattering, would premonish well 
 
 Of wrath reserved for sunset, when, with eye 
 
 And ear capacious to detect slight sound 
 
 Of rustling leaf, or herbage, he wings forth 570 
 
 On the poor bird retiring to its nest, 
 
 Or tiny creature to its burrow bound. 
 
 Stern, and terrific, in the wilderness. 
 
 His sudden shout by moonlight, to the lone 
 
 Traveller benighted there, from slumber roused, 575 
 
 Startled with screams, suppressed, and suffocate. 
 
 Of humbler grade the Barn-Owl, friend of man, 
 
 Defence of cornfield, and of granary 
 
 From rodent swarms : but now in mutual peace 
 
 With their small prey. And these, even with the Fowl 580 
 
 The farmer would protect, come on in groups 
 
 Associate, nor unaccompanied 
 
 With household feelings to the poet dear. 
 
 The Linnet, and the Pinch ; and chief, that One 
 Gorgeous of lengthened tail, and bright of hue : 585 
 
350 THE JITBOEMKNT. 
 
 The Starling, Hombill, and the Humming-Bird : 
 
 The Blackbird, and the Crows, with bill prolonged ; 
 
 The Toucan, broad as well — a feathered sylph ; 
 
 The Cockatoos, with rose crest falling back. 
 
 Or sulphur upward curved, of plumage white ; 590 
 
 And the Macaws, all hues : the Parrot tribe 
 
 Magnificent, Bird-Monkies, but with voice 
 
 Human sometimes, in mockery of speech : 
 
 The Meleagris beautifully wild. 
 
 Increasing in its splendour vrith its years— 595 
 
 Strutting it came, obstreperous in pomp. 
 
 Of self-importance full. The gorgeous Fowl, 
 
 Whose plumage in a tropic sun presents 
 
 An orb of many colours, and his cregt 
 
 A jewellery tiara, blue, and green, 600 
 
 Crowning the gracefullest of crowned heads : 
 
 The Bird of Gold, with long and arched tail. 
 
 Varied with scarlet, white, and dusky brown, 
 
 A princely bird : the Silver Pheasant, too, 
 
 A hardier race, though elegant of form, 605 
 
 And hue, and attitude ; also the kind 
 
 With ring-encircled neck. With them came on 
 
 The Crested Partridge, the Ealoul, and &rous. 
 
 With Tinamous, and Prancolins, and Quails, 
 
 A graceful brood, and various. There too were 010 
 
 The Plaintive Turtles, of Love's Queen loved Birds — 
 
 Aye-coupled, ever-wooing, ever-wed ; 
 
 Heard in the season of that pleasant time. 
 
 When the birds sing, and flowers appear on earth, 
 
 And puts the fig-tree, forth her verdant figs, 615 
 
 And with the tender grape the vines are fragrant, 
 
 The winter past, the rain all gone, and over : 
 
 The Pigeon, bearer of the word of man. 
 
 Epistolary, through the air afar, 
 
 And specially renowned for all who love 620 
 
 The story of the Deluge, as 'twas sung 
 
THE AEK. 
 
 351: 
 
 Ey Musah, the great poet, skilled in lore 
 
 Of Mitzraim, leader thence of Israel 
 
 Through Sea, and Cloud unto the promised land. 
 
 Thrice Noah sent the Pigeon from the Ark 625 
 
 He enters now ; the second time she found 
 
 Best for her sole ; but to the Patriarch brought 
 
 The branch of olive back — then Noah knew 
 
 The waters were abated from the earth ; 
 
 Hence seven days after, when he let her free, 630 
 
 No more returned, she made the air her home. 
 
 The scarlet Ibis, mythologic bird, 
 And sacred, with its slender long-arched bill 
 And scaled legs, and plumage brilliant, walked. 
 Inviting worship by its stateliness : 635 
 
 The Anser, whose migrations shall invade 
 The silent desolation of the pole. 
 Countries unknown, by icy barriers shut 
 Prom humaa vision ; with the queenly Swan, 
 Pure white, and sable both, and tame, and wild ; 640 
 
 And Cereopsis, and the humbler Duck, 
 Yet beautiful full oft, with hues of green. 
 And violet, and brown, with ornament 
 Of crescent, and of undulating lines. 
 Embellished on the neck, and breasts, and cheeks. 645 
 
 Birds of all climes — both of the East, and "West — 
 Of England, native land. Birds of the air 
 I breathe ; sweet are ye, and I raise, like you. 
 Both mom, and even, hallelujahs high, 
 That ye found rescue once, and were restored 650 
 
 To hymn the Highest, in the ear of man. 
 Singing your guileless loves, from death redeemed. 
 Dear birds of England, of her woods, and groves. 
 Her fields, and running rivers, hUls, and vales. 
 Streamlets, and brooks. The Blackbird, largest kind, 655 
 Of all thy Birds of Song, my native land ; 
 Whose notes are out before the leaves, and woo 
 
352 ' THE JTJDaEMENT, 
 
 His partner to embraces, ere the frost 
 
 Has melted from the fields, and boast his young 
 
 Even in the March-wind's eye. The Song-thrush next, 660 
 
 No summer bird alone, he winter charms : 
 
 The Missel-Bird, the Eed-wing, and that One 
 
 "WTio builds on heaths : the Starling, hardy tribe ; 
 
 The docile Bullfinch ; both of human words 
 
 Articulant : the G-oldfinch, gay of hue ; 665 
 
 The lavish Chaffinch, and the Greenfinch strong : 
 
 The Linnet sweet, and curious in his lay ; 
 
 The Twite, a sojourner, all mirth, and glee ; 
 
 The Sky-Lark, who builds deepest, highest soars. 
 
 And sings as he upward flies ; the "Wood-Lark, too, 670 
 
 The rival of the Nightingale ; and thou, 
 
 Nightingale, wert there, whom, as a type 
 Of my sage theme, these epic numbers oft 
 Have honourably mentioned. Thou wert, too, 
 
 Saved in the Ark, and, with the Wood-Lark, triedst 675 
 
 Thy skill ; while Noah listened, and his Sons, 
 
 And Chavah, and her Daughters, to the strife. 
 
 Also were there sweet birds of humbler type : 
 
 The Titlark, finely feathered, and the free 
 
 Kedbreast, familiar, shrill of melody ; 680 
 
 The Eedpole, winter race, and emigrant; 
 
 The small Eedstart, and shy ; the common Wren, 
 
 A tiny minstrel, high, and bold of song ; 
 
 The TeUow-Hammer, and the Eeed-Sparrow ; 
 
 And he who haunts the hedges :* and the Birdf 685 
 
 That comes in barley-seed-time, and departs 
 
 In Spring — ^brief visitant unto the land 
 
 1 love ; even like this song of mine, which now 
 The present for the past must quit again, 
 And England leave for Eden. 
 
 * The Hedge-Sparrow. ; j. 
 
 ^.. . t The Aberdivine, called in Sussex the Barley Bird. 
 
THE AHK. 
 
 353 
 
 Thus into 690 
 
 The Ark were entered Bird and Beast ; nor lacked 
 The Phoenix, bird of ages ; nor, I ween 
 That wondrous Hippogriff, whom antient fame 
 Spake near the sources of the ocean born, 
 Straight leaving earth for heaven, or dwelling on 695 
 
 The mount, he smote with his impatient foot. 
 That raised the Hippocrene ; thereafter he, 
 Bellerophon cast off, soared to the skies, 
 By Jove among the constellations placed. 
 WeU ween I the poetic animal 700 
 
 Stayed not behind, but in the mystic Ark, 
 Bare heavenly Fancies on his winged back. 
 Divinely moving to the sound of song ; 
 A sacred courser, taught there, and preserved 
 For such, among the future race of men, 705 
 
 As with ambitious soul would visit heaven. 
 And bring therefrom celestial airs to earth. 
 For human voices to repeat enrapt. 
 And while the heart of man was thus poured forth, _ 
 Spirit divine upon the Cherubim 710 
 
 Descended glorious, and his mind became 
 The chariot of its God. And so was sung, 
 Not uninspired, the harmony which kept 
 The kinds now reconciled in bands of love, 
 Link joined on link, throughout the wonderous chain 715 
 Of regular gradation, shading oft 
 Eesemblance into difference, multitudes. 
 And tribes of animals, diverse of shape. 
 But beauteous all to the instructed eye ; 
 Nor was forgotten that prophetic time, 720 
 
 When Eden's peace shall reign once more on earth, 
 And the meek Lamb with the fierce Wolf repose, 
 The Lion, and the Leopard, and the Kid; 
 — But still the dust shall be the Serpent's meat. 
 
 Straight from the wilderness, whence hand Divine 725 
 
 A Jl 
 
354 THE JUDGEMirffT. 
 
 Led Man to Eden, and along tlie Yale 
 
 Of Armon, and across tlie common plain, 
 
 Even to the Mount of Paradise, defiled 
 
 The Living Circle, infinite degrees — 
 
 Prom the most perfect of all animals, 730 
 
 The articulated, sensible of nerve, 
 
 Strong, persevering, swift, and diligent. 
 
 Docile, long-living, various in pursuit. 
 
 Sagacious for set ends, to such as are 
 
 But as self-moving plants, whose lowest groups 735 
 
 Pass to the vegetable kinds, immersed 
 
 In mass insentient. Hence, into itself 
 
 The living circle upward, aye returns : 
 
 White-blooded race compact of scattered parts. 
 
 Threaded with nerves together, gifted but 740 
 
 To taste — to touch — to see ; and the clothed tribes 
 
 That, having no distinction in the sense. 
 
 Breathe yet, and concentrate a nervous mass, 
 
 And circulate the blood ; the groups affine 
 
 Of vertebrated life, that bodily 745 
 
 Connects the inferiour Animal with Man. 
 
 Such was the long array : a throng so huge. 
 That, passing from yon Autre to the Ark, 
 Where they were safely stalled, from morn to eve, 
 Prom earliest mom to latest eve, seven days 750 
 
 They took in their progression. Such the time 
 Was granted, that the wicked might be warned, 
 Even on the eve of Judgement, if they would. 
 — And now the inferiour creatures all have passed 
 Into the place of refuge. But proud man 755 
 
 Seeks none in his repentance, doomed to die. 
 
 And thus within the Ark was furnished all ; 
 Not only ranged the race of animals. 
 According to their kinds, but Enoch's Book 
 Had Shem deposited, rightly preserved 760 
 
 For the instruction of the World restored ; 
 
THE ABE, 
 
 356 
 
 And Japhet of Ms art the workmanship 
 
 Contributed, for ornament, those forms 
 
 Prophetic, by his God-directed hand 
 
 Sculptured. — Sage Brouma, of the mystic line 765 
 
 Of Magog, who Japetan energy 
 
 Inherited, and over Asia 
 
 Carried successful arms, and over Ind 
 
 Diffused the arts ; of doctrine authour he 
 
 Braminical, and Scythian creeds, and rites 770 
 
 Of wise mythology o'er Egypt spread, 
 
 Phoenicia, Greece, and Asian continent ; 
 
 That group symbolic, too, which shewed the B;Oman, 
 
 Brave son of Japhet's race, victorious o'er 
 
 The servile seed of Canaan, realm of slaves ; 775 
 
 Their petty princes, from the earliest time, 
 
 The tributary vassals of the land 
 
 And monarchy of old Assyria, 
 
 Prom Asshur sprung, the second son of Shem. 
 
 In later ages, fled the Canaanite 780 
 
 From Joshua's conquering arms ; the remnant left. 
 
 Expelled by David, were in Africa 
 
 Eound of the she-wolf's foundlings, vanquished soon. 
 
 And to their sway subdued. There, too, was he, 
 
 Great Alexander, Victor of the East, 785 
 
 Who made encroachment on the lines of Shem — 
 
 By Aristotle taught, the sage on whom 
 
 Thy mantle, Plato, fell, but worn reversed. 
 
 Tet peaceful meaning had the oracle, 
 
 No less than warlike, by its prophecy 790 
 
 Of Japhet's dwelling in the tents of Shem. 
 
 This Portugal, this England, Holland, France 
 
 May witness ; Japhet's race, part settled now 
 
 In Ind, and bringing there to realms once dark 
 
 The light of Truth. And Commerce vouches, too, 795 
 
 The passage by the Cape to orient climes. 
 
 And by thy straits, Magellan. Crowning all 
 
 A A 2 
 
356 THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 The figure of Messiah, central form, 
 
 Gave meaning to the statues, and the Ark 
 
 Made radiant with the glory of his brow. 800 
 
 But all were heautiful, and when released 
 
 i'rom that their place of refuge, and beheld 
 
 By the new world, with admiration smote 
 
 Hearts, who their purpose understood but ill. 
 
 And bent to worship blind religious zeal, 805 
 
 That soon to mere idolatry declined. 
 
 — So in abuse corrupt the best of things, 
 
 Their origin forgotten ; and, abased. 
 
 Conduce to foreign ends, and evil aims. 
 
 III. 
 
 Thus Noah's work was done. "Wearied with toil, 810 
 At the down-going of the seventh eve. 
 Deep sleep fell upon Noah, as he lay 
 "Within a tent, preserving duteous watch 
 About the appointed Ark. Even as grew 
 The Prophet's frame insentient, all the more 815 
 
 His inner sight was opened, and his soul 
 Had vision of high heaven. 'Twas noon of night ; 
 The Sun was absent, but the Moon shone out 
 And ay the world of Stars. From orb to orb, 
 Was singing heard in answering echo-hymns. 820 
 
 One to another, in his hearing, called 
 The Watchers, to make ready ; for the Thrones 
 "Were planted, and their witness in the court 
 "Was summoned, to be rendered when the Judge, 
 Antient of Days, should sit. Straightway the floor 825 
 Divided in the midst, and Noah's eye 
 Pierced upward ; or his liberated soul 
 Soared thither. Tip he soared, and soared untU 
 He saw celestial palace opened wide, 
 Both walled, and paved with crystal stones, on ground 830 
 
noah's vision. 337 
 
 Of crystal, and the roof flashed sparkling down ; 
 
 And, in a sky of water, floated there 
 
 Seraphic ardours, and about the walls 
 
 Burned flame, and blazed its portal all with fire : 
 
 Alternate heat of fire, and cold of ice 835 
 
 Amazed with fear who entered. On, and on. 
 
 Trembling with terrour, the winged Patriarch sped, 
 
 And to more spacious habitation still 
 
 Arrived ; with tongues of fire surrounded ; each 
 
 Vocal, like storms so loud, with words of zeal, 840 
 
 In praise, and prayer : a glorious place, and vast, 
 
 Majestic, and magnificent, and bright, • 
 
 Excelling all report of magnitude 
 
 And splendour : fiery floor, and wall, and roof; 
 
 Lightning, and star-light interpenetrant, 845 
 
 With ceiling, and with pavement all ablaze. 
 
 — He dazzled looked, and saw a great white Throne, 
 
 And Him who sat thereon ; Antient of Days, 
 
 In garment white as snow, and of his head 
 
 The hair was purest white. So was his Throne, 850 
 
 The fiery flame white in its purity ; 
 
 A living throne by Cherubim up-borne. 
 
 Wheeling self-moved in orbs of burning fire : 
 
 And from before him issued fiery streams. 
 
 And from beneath the efiulgent Throne of Life, 855 
 
 Rivers of flame impetuous gushed, and foamed, 
 
 And from too near approach warned off, and kept. 
 
 With voice of hymn, and anthem, song, and psalm, 
 
 The thousand thousands ministering to him. 
 
 Tea, myriads of myriads stood there, 860 
 
 In the full presence of his Majesty, 
 
 With veils upon their faces, for the light 
 
 More mighty than the sun, more white than snow. 
 
 And Noah saw two Books — two sealed Books, 
 And they were opened ; and another Book — 865 
 
358 THE JTJD&EMENT. 
 
 The Book of Life. The Dead, both small and great, 
 In terrour watched their opening ; for the Sea 
 Grave up her dead ; and Death, and Hades both 
 Delivered up their dead — and all were there. 
 
 So sate the Judge, for grand assize prepared ; 870 
 
 And, at his side, was One to minister, 
 Whom, but for the great glory of his face. 
 That dazzled even prophetic dreamer's eye, 
 Noah had deemed Elihu's very self; 
 
 But now in doubt, for even the Lord of Doom, 875 
 
 Antient of Days, himself like semblance cast 
 From the brigit radiance ; but it came in rays, 
 And those so keen, no sight could scrutiny 
 Aspect of person whence such emanate. 
 And bring report of likeness sure. Nought sure 880 
 
 "Was there and then, but that great Doom approached. 
 Nay, was then sitting ; and the midst One was 
 The Angel of the Judgement. On his left. 
 Stood the strong form of Death, a seraph armed. 
 With brow severe — the form of Death, and Time ; 885 
 
 Not like the Spectre on the Pale Horse, seen 
 By Japhet in his vision, but more like 
 The Archangel who foretold the coming Doom 
 To Noah, from the rainbow, standing on 
 The earth, and on the sea. He gazed again, 890 
 
 And even from him Elihu's countenance. 
 Only less gracious, sterner, and in frowns. 
 Looked out. In front of the mysterious Three, 
 (Like those who once partook of Noah's board. 
 Travellers, and guests, yet glorious now as gods,) 895 
 
 The Accusers — Satan, and Azaziel — stood. 
 
 Then said the Antient One. ' I have looked on earth : 
 Mesh wholly Tiath its way corrupted there ; 
 And now the End of all before me comes, 
 
noah's visioif. 859 
 
 Tet fit that each Accuser first be heard, 900 
 
 And "Witnesses, that Mercy may find hope 
 Of palliation, rescue, and redeem.' 
 
 Hereat rose Satan : and, behold, to him 
 A EoU came flying, a huge Yolume ; swift 
 It came, and darkened where it flew. Soon seized, 905 
 The Fiend unfolded, and displayed its breadth. 
 And length — and then exclaimed, 
 
 ' Behold— behold— 
 The Book of Curses. On this side, and that, 
 Writ are transgressions manifold. All crimes 
 By all have been committed on the earth : 910 
 
 Even at his hearth whom thou hast favoured so, 
 Sin, well thou knowest, is found. In every house. 
 This Eoll should enter, and remain, and burn ; 
 That were the fitting end — a flood of fire, 
 Utterly to consume, and not of water, 915 
 
 Only to cleanse, and that but outwardly — 
 The Doom of Eire, let it come on the World.' 
 
 This said, from midst the Throne a "Voice commanded, 
 To give the KoU of Accusation up ; 
 
 Eight willingly obeyed. Azaziel next 920 
 
 Was loud in menace. 
 
 ' Wherefore Fire alone ? 
 Why not Annihilation ? Why should Fire 
 Be ? Let the Elements dissolve — for all 
 Is evil — Wherefore Nothing not ?' 
 
 'To be,' 
 It was replied, ' is good ; and not to be 925 
 
 Nor good, nor evil. What I make is good. 
 Where are the Witnesses ?' 
 
 Then slow approached, 
 By Michael, and by Phanuel, on each side 
 Sapported, the decrepit, withered form 
 Of melancholy Earth. In tears she came, 930 
 
 Before the Judge, and wept — ^and only wept — 
 
360 THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 Words found no way — tears only — only tears. 
 
 So she retired ; those twain first having said : 
 
 ' Our words are written in the Opened Books, 
 
 Whence judged are all the dead, according to 935 
 
 The things which there are written, and the works 
 
 That tliey have done. Well-speed the Book of Life.' 
 
 Then followed all the Planets, and the Stars, 
 With the bright Moon herself; and testified 
 Of worship — and the Night also came on ; 940 
 
 She, too, had votaries, but no worshippers, 
 Atheists, who doubted of her being even, 
 Whose badge they wore, and, haply, of their own. 
 Then came the Orb of Ocean, like a wheel 
 Instinct with life, cherubic ; and his globe, ' 945 
 
 Else watery pure, was dotted o'er with blood — 
 Blood shed in war unrighteous, robbery. 
 And murther, and the trade in human flesh. 
 To slavery forced or sold, no terms premised 
 Of mutual good, protection, or what else 950 
 
 Eor service should be rendered. Next appeared 
 The Heavens, and the full Air ; for they had heard 
 Wails, sighs, and curses sore. The hired Man 
 Had toiled but for the wind, and with the east 
 His belly had been filled ; and 'mong the poor 955 
 
 The Labourer was numbered. Wife, and child 
 Sobbed loud, and loud in execration shrieked ; 
 Whence the sad Airs had borne, upon their wings, 
 Their lamentations to the ear of God : 
 For aU are Angels, and can sympathize 960 
 
 With human sorrow ; sacred Messengers ; 
 Appointed Ministers of will divine ; 
 Spirits, both felt, and feeling. And the Seas, 
 And Heavens have potent Spirits ; and the Moon, 
 The Stars, and Clouds ; Thunder, and Lightning, too ; 965 
 And Angels dwell in Frost, and rule in Hail ; 
 Snow hath a Spirit, solitary he, 
 
noah's yisioN. 361 
 
 And vapourouB ; Mist, also, gorgeous still, 
 
 Summer or winter, or by day or night — 
 
 The glittering Dews, and the baptizing Eain. 970 
 
 These rose before the Judge, and with them rose 
 The Spirit of the Deep ; and witness bore. 
 That he into his bosom had received 
 Methuselah, descending through the earth, 
 By earthquake ; and, according to his charge, 975 
 
 Had broken up the Fountains of the Abyss, 
 And one revealed to air, upboiling thus. 
 And visible, impatient to expect 
 Heaven's Windows opening, and their Spirits thence 
 Co-operant descending. Nature next, 980 
 
 Complained of outrage, not in groves, and glens, 
 But violation in the heart, and flesh 
 Of reprobated man ; and after her 
 Came Hherem, and reported sensual crimes. 
 Akin to brute, and worse. Dim Hades last, 985 
 
 And Hell, presented from their storehouse. Wrongs, 
 And ghosts of Misery, and shades of GuUt, 
 Madness, and Apathy, and Fear, and Wo ; 
 And worst the evil Tongue, and evil Heart ; 
 Malice, and Envy, and licentious Thoughts ; 990 
 
 And passions. Love and Lust, Horrour and Hope ; 
 Fancy, and Understanding ; Eeason, too, 
 Gone wild in speculation, and in act 
 Lost in the sense ; and Sense itself; and Sin 
 And Death — a multitude of phantasies 995 
 
 Thronging : and Plagues substantial — Famine real, 
 Spiritual Famine, hunger of the soul, 
 And of the heart, and Thirst — eternal Thirst : 
 And Will perverse, Perdition, and blind Hate, 
 Anarchy, Chaos, and the Second Death. 1000 
 
 There was the world's first martyr, Abel ; nor 
 Was absent Cain, his brother. Him had Grod 
 Repentance granted, blest him to become 
 
362 THE JUDGfEMENT. 
 
 The Father of a People, and to found 
 
 Arts, anda city, polities, and arms ; 1005 
 
 Defective, yet the best imperfect man, 
 
 Heroic though, and virtuous, might achieve. 
 
 Then Cain bowed down his face before the Throne, 
 
 Unconscious yet of transit from the Deep — 
 
 If yet such was, whereof I cannot teU — 1010 
 
 Exclaiming thus — 
 
 ' And has my Lord come down 
 To Hades, seeking him he lost ? Thy face 
 To me is turned agaia, whom long I've ki}Own 
 The Reconciled, since to my carnal heart 
 That sign miraculous was once vouchsafed. 1015 
 
 I do confess my siu, and will repeat 
 Thy mercies in the hearing of the ear 
 Of the great congregation. Of old time 
 Thou broughtst to me thy Sister, and thy Bride, 
 Eternal Wisdom ; that, in hours of toU, 1020 
 
 I might with her be solaced, whose delights 
 Were with the sons of Adam. Often she 
 Met me when at my work, and from the ground 
 AUured my upward gaze, and taught me how 
 To sweeten labotir, by deriving thence 1025 
 
 Knowledge, and prescience, whether of the soU, 
 Or of the seasons, moving so my heart 
 To .piety, and worship of the heavens. 
 With Abel she disported too, and drew 
 The Veil from the Invisible for him ; 1030 
 
 Hence he had visions often wished by me. 
 Produce of leisure, such as I desired, 
 Tet wanted faith to win, mid earthly cares. 
 And habits firmly fixed. Yet ne'ertheless 
 Would thoughts grow on my mind, erroneous thoughts; 1035 
 Of God in anger, who had doomed the ground, 
 To task the sweat of man, and sacrifice 
 Demanded, knowing not the spotless Lamb 
 
noah's vision. 363 
 
 Was an accepted body ; purified 
 
 Of appetites, and lusts ; and consecrate 1040 
 
 To truth, in danger, and in death devote. 
 
 Then came to me a Form like to thy own, 
 
 Sterner, but beautiful ; a Fury, clad 
 
 In radiance of Angelic loveliness ; 
 
 And words of wisdom spake, and knowledge deep, 1045 
 
 And argument sublime, of all that Death 
 
 Should teach the soul. O fool, who then forgot 
 
 "With Life dwells Wisdom, with true Being, Truth ; 
 
 All else illusion, unsubstantial, vain. 
 
 How, then, he led me into Hades' realms, 1050 
 
 Avoiding yet this better Paradise, 
 
 And what he shewed me there of phantoms fond. 
 
 Brood of the idle brain,, thou knowest well ; 
 
 Nor would it profit to repeat at large 
 
 Void fancies — dreamy lies. Thus then, seduced 1055 
 
 From Wisdom in my anger, I returned ; 
 
 And, in the Fury wrath enslaved me to. 
 
 My brother smote — and perished. Hence from me 
 
 Men learned to slay the Brethren, (all are such,) 
 
 In duel, or in war ; tUl needs at length 1060 
 
 A flood of waters stay the flood of crime. 
 
 Meantime, old Wisdom parted from the world. 
 
 And here awaited thee, thy Sister-Bride ; 
 
 Whom late I found again, when. Angel-met, 
 
 I left my wearied flesh, as travelling home 1065 
 
 From Adam's burial in too deep despair. 
 
 And gained what ne'er I hoped — a home indeed.' 
 
 Whereto the Antient One. '• In three-fold wise, 
 And three-fold dispensation, hath the Age, 
 Now consummate, made manifest the Truth, 1070 
 
 Whereof I am the Life. Thus He who spumed 
 At prohibition, that he might approve 
 Knowledge of evil, was from Eden sent ; 
 And Cain, transgressing, was exiled to Naid ; 
 
364 THE JUDGEMEIfT. 
 
 And sons of Grod, betrayed by carnal love, 1075 
 
 Daughters of Men in marriage who conjoined, 
 
 Accumulating guilt, shall earth cast out 
 
 To Hades, first baptized within the waves 
 
 Of utter Deluge, where-above shall soar 
 
 The Ark, expectant of the World Eestored.' 1080 
 
 Only not there was Uriel. And it seemed 
 To Noah in his Yision, Satan rose, 
 And spake in taunting wise. ' Of man was I,' 
 He said, ' the "Watcher, and Ambition hurled 
 Me from my former place, my archial seat. 1085 
 
 Sure, He who rules the day may rather brood 
 High thoughts, conceiving like emprize, more like 
 To prosper. Be it given me to tempt 
 The Seraph, I would prove his faith perverse.' 
 
 Straight "Word returned to him, ' A lie is in 1090 
 
 Thy mouth, and be the Seraph's faith approved.' 
 
 So Satan on his mission passed away ; 
 And, in his place, came on a Spirit stern, 
 Over the seven celestial Cataracts 
 
 Prime Watcher. « The dread Angel of the Deep' — 1095 
 Exclaimed he — ' cries, for answer to my sphere ; 
 How long ? how long ?' Hereat the Souls of Men, 
 Complaining of oppression when on earth. 
 Took up the cry — ' How long ? Lord, how long ? 
 Speed justice, &od of gods, and King of kings. 1100 
 
 Avenge our blood, the blood that stiU is shed 
 Of righteous men — haste, Lord ; let judgement haste.' 
 
 Then rose the Antient One, who made the days, 
 The Eternal of the ages, terrible 
 
 In indignation, terrible in wrath. 1105 
 
 — ' Have I not sworn ? and cometh not even now 
 The Seraph of the hairy Star, whose course 
 The dispensation of the time completes. 
 Of Uriel now expected, with his Orb, 
 
noah's tision. S63 
 
 And the round Moon'a, in dread conjunction met, 1110 
 
 Whence Deluge shall descend ? Per he hath heard 
 
 The Almighty Oath whereby the heavens were hung, 
 
 Ere the worlds were that orb the eternal depth — 
 
 And the firm earth was founded on the flood, 
 
 And from the secret fountains of the hills, 1115 
 
 Eivers, from time's beginning to his end. 
 
 Issued in ceaseless motion, and flow on, 
 
 For ever and for ever. By its power, 
 
 The sea, and his deep bed, were formed ; and fixed 
 
 The limitary sands that should restrain 1120 
 
 His fury ; and therefrom the great abyss 
 
 Eeceived her strength, to teep her stated place. 
 
 Aye irremoveable. Thereby the Sun, 
 
 And Moon, and Stars are ordered, and obey 
 
 Unswerving high command ; also the Winds, 1125 
 
 The Thunders, and the Lightnings, Hail, and Frost, 
 
 Treasures of Dew, and Snow, and Eain, reserved 
 
 For Judgement, and for Mercy — by this Oath 
 
 Are they established, guided, and preserved. 
 
 — Have I not sworn ? hear, and record the Oath. 1130 
 
 Thus saith Jehovah ; I created Man, 
 
 And will destroy him from the face of earth, 
 
 Both Man, and Beast, and creeping things, and fowls 
 
 Of air, whom it repents me I have made ; 
 
 But in my eyes hath Noah favour found.' II 35 
 
 Hereat, into the circle sudden came 
 
 Cherubic Chariot, and received at once 
 
 The Throned One, and Wisdom his espoused, 
 
 Who at his feet had there been sitting ; — while 
 
 Hymn hymeneal rose, as they were borne, 1 140 
 
 Ascending from mid Hades to high Heaven, 
 
 Thus ; ' Holy ; holy ; holy ; Father ; Grod ; 
 
 Who gave to Adam Law. Hosanna ; Son 
 
 Divine ; who Truth to righteous Abel shewed ; 
 
 And Hallelujah to the Spirit sing, 1145 
 
366 THE JITDGEMENT. 
 
 "Who dwelt witli Seth, and unto Enosh tauglit 
 
 Jehovah's Name. Elohim holiest, 
 
 Who but Jehovah our Eloah is ? 
 
 Hath he not heard the Spirit, and the Bride ? 
 
 Thrice holy he — Eternal— Wise, and Good.' 1150 
 
 Then Noah woke. One hour it wanted yet 
 Of dawn ; yet up he rose, and called his Sons, 
 Eeady to make the Ark for coming doom. 
 
 IV. 
 
 How sweetly breathes the Angel of the Morn — 
 How beautiful the smile upon his face ; 1155 
 
 And as he whispers in the rising breeze, 
 What music in the mercy of his voice, 
 The dewy tones compassionate : the drops. 
 That hang the leaves, and grasses, are the tears 
 Wept from the eyes of Pity. LovelUy, 1160 
 
 To him who looks his last upon her face. 
 Beams the great mother ; and his heart is touched 
 With sympathies celestial — nay, divine. 
 Nor Earth less sympathizes, and her Sons, 
 Who in the sight of Heaven had found grace, 1165 
 
 Eeel in their souls her passion ; and come forth 
 To tend yon mystic Ark, that shall for her 
 Preserve a race alive ; while she, baptized, 
 Wash off corruption, dying to be born 
 Anew . . to her old glory, nay, to more, 1170 
 
 Eedeemed, so that no spot upon her orb 
 Should be that was not holy, capable 
 Of consecration, or even needing none. 
 — Noah with Chava, mid their duteous Sons, 
 Each with his Bride, stood at the guarded door 1175 
 
 Of the appointed Ark, and thence they gazed 
 Eor the last morn on the devoted Earth. 
 
THE CHEBTJBIM. 367 
 
 Then in the presence of the Cherubim, 
 Even on that Mount their Sacrifice they lay, 
 Accepted soon of that enkindling Cone, 1180 
 
 That fiery pUlar, templed wherein dwelt 
 The Image of the Majesty Divine ; 
 While on their faces the Noachidse 
 Adoring fell ; and thus the Patriarch prayed : 
 
 ' Grod of our Fathers ; God of Adam ; God 1185 
 
 Of Abel ; God of Seth, and Enosh ; hear. 
 Hear, God of Cainan, and Mahalaleel, 
 Of Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah. 
 O God of Lamech : listen to our prayer. 
 — "Wisdom of old with thee pronounced the Light, 1190 
 And Laws Eternal to the Worlds prescribed. 
 Thy making. Wilt thou mar what thou hast made, 
 And, o'er the fair face of thy Universe, 
 Bid Euiu pass in Deluge, like the Deep 
 Ere Order was ? Have Mercy yet on Earth : 1195 
 
 Mercy on Man who in her bosom dwells. 
 — But Doom is said, and none may refuge find 
 Save in the Ark, and only Eight Souls there, 
 Of all Mankind. There comfort thou our Souls, 
 God of Consolation : comfort us, 1200 
 
 For the destruction of our Brethren ; for 
 The peril which will threat us round about — 
 And for the doubts that may perplex our souls. 
 Save us, deliver us, from out the Flood, 
 And set our feet upon the ample round 1205 
 
 Of earth again. Save us, deliver us — 
 by the Sorrows of our Sire forgiven : 
 by the Blood of Abel : by the Truth 
 Of Seth ; and Enoch's Immortality. 
 
 We pray thee ; we intreat thee ; we implore. 1210 
 
 Us guard — us guide — and from the waters bring. 
 So that Creation perish not, for lack 
 Of Man to contemplate her countenance. 
 
368. THE jrDGEMENT. 
 
 And call upon the works of thy great hand. 
 
 The Sun, and Moon, and Stars, and Heaven, and Earth, 1215 
 
 And the wide Sea, to praise and magnify 
 
 Thy Wisdom, and thy Power, and thy Love.' 
 
 Such was the prayer of Noah, while the Pire 
 From the immediate Cherubim replied. 
 And kindled into flame the Sacrifice, 1220 
 
 That on that hiU, as on an Altar, lay ; 
 And when it was consumed, the Eight arose 
 Cheered, but yet felt a sadness in their joy. 
 
 Not without tears, the Patriarch's family 
 Gazed on the doomed "World. In Noah's breast, 1225 
 The venerable Chava hid her face, 
 In grief extreme ; and very sad it was 
 Eor thee, Ahama ; though with Japhet blest. 
 To leave so bright an orb : and, Leila ; thou 
 Wert sorrowful exceedingly ; nor thou, 1230 
 
 Ahola ; mightst restrain the gushing heart : 
 Loved earth, and her inhabitants, and those 
 So near,' and dear, friends, parents, kin beloved. 
 Brother, and sister, and the playmate blithe. 
 And generous acquaintance, all foredoomed. ' 1235 
 
 Nor were, be sure, Zateel, and Zerah far — 
 There partings were of such, for they had come 
 To take eternal farewells : for not all 
 Were evil, though not favoured so with grace, 
 As patrial Noah to regenerate 1240 
 
 The renovated world ; yet were they blest 
 With patience, and with resignation meek, 
 To meet the coming Judgement, and what doom 
 Might God appoint them. These, with ardent lips. 
 And feelings aU mysterious, and too deep, 1245 
 
 Stood by the place of refuge with the saved ; 
 Nor end had been to their embrace, but then 
 Elihu came, and, interposing aid, 
 
THE CHEEUBIM. 369 
 
 Soothed the afflicted, and the downcast raised : 
 
 Within his arms he brought the Tables erst 1250 
 
 To Enoch given, by him to Eden borne, 
 
 And from its gates so late promulged anew 
 
 With such eflfect. Them to the hands of Ham 
 
 Elihu did confide, with strict command, 
 
 Within that Ark securely to enshrine 1255 
 
 For preservation. These the Tables were 
 
 Of which tradition teUs, by Ham preserved 
 
 From deluge, and in Mitzraim since laid up 
 
 In temples, though concealed by hireling priests, 
 
 But not from Musah, skilled in Mitzraim's lore — 1260 
 
 To whom on Sinai they were renewed. 
 
 Now slow, though unreluctant, went in faith 
 Into the Ark, sage Noah, and his Wife, 
 And Shem, and Ham, and Japhet, with their Brides ; 
 Then on them fast he shut sectire the door, 1265 
 
 And the world vanished from their veiled eyes. 
 
 As for the rest, they to the Cherubim, 
 All save Elihu, bowed adoring down. 
 He, to the hUl returned, transfigured stood, 
 Person divine', amidst the fiery cone, 1270 
 
 In glory inefiable by me — yet I, 
 (The Poet, gifted by the Spirit's Voice, 
 To summon from the vastiest Deep the Dead, 
 Those who aforetime disobedient were 
 In Noah's days, when Patience, heavenly throned, 1275 
 Delayed the doom that God had fain recalled, 
 Had Man permitted Mercy to prevail,) 
 Looked with my spiritual eye on Paradise, 
 Heard with my spiritual ear her harmonies, 
 And saw the great array of Cherubim : 1280 
 
 The cloudy column fast outflashing fire. 
 With the four-faced creatures pillared there, 
 As in a temple of the elemei;its, 
 Throned on the summit of the sacred hill, 
 
 B B 
 
370 THE JUDGEMENT. 
 
 And bickering, as witli lightning. And they spake, 1285 
 
 As with the voice of thunder, but in songs 
 
 And rythmic dialogues. Kerce was the fire, 
 
 And vehement the sound of their discourse. 
 
 Such cloud the body is wherein we live. 
 
 Such fire the spirit, which, enkindled right, 1290 
 
 Shall fain consume it, burning out thereby 
 
 Corruption, purging out the dross of sin. 
 
 Such cloud of smoke, as from a furnace sped — 
 
 Such flame, as of a burning lamp, — were seen 
 
 By Abram, when the sun declined, and him 1295 
 
 A horrour of great darkness fell around ; 
 
 Such Musah in the Holy Bush surprised — 
 
 Such, in a pillar both of cloud and fire. 
 
 With Israel in the Wilderness along. 
 
 Went night and day, and found, at last, abode 1300 
 
 Within the Holiest, the Grlory there. 
 
 There, overhovered by the Seraphim, 
 Elihu stood, between the Cherub twain, 
 And on the waiting and expectant Ark, 
 Looked down, and blessed it with uplifted hands. 1305 
 
 Next, and more inward, amid Myrtle groves, 
 Were Horses with their Eiders, in a vale, 
 A velvet bottom, mid the sacred hills 
 Of Eden ; whom erst Phanuel heard enquire 
 The Angel, touching earth, then sitting stUl : 1310 
 
 But now the storm was speeding, which that calm 
 So ominously threatened. Swift they came. 
 And went, the Cherub- steeds ; and went, and came. 
 And then stood stiU : and then away — away, 
 On errand strange ; and shouted choral hymns, 1315 
 
 And anthems, all too loud for mortal ear. 
 In dreadful quire : and then returned again, 
 And chaunted epode, terrible, and wUd. 
 And there were Chariots too, with harnessed Steeds 
 Of many colours ; red, and black, and bay, 1320 
 
THE CHEEUBIir. 
 
 371 
 
 Grisled, and white — the chariots of the Lord, 
 
 Spirits of Eire — his ready messengers, 
 
 Between the mountains, waiting for his voice, 
 
 To send them forth to the four ends of heaven ; 
 
 And there the Horses, too, that Japhet saw, 1325 
 
 In vision. He that bare the Crowned One, 
 
 Who had the bow, and went to conquer forth — 
 
 The "White Horse : He that bare the Sworded One, 
 
 Commissioned to take peace from earth away — 
 
 The Eed Horse : He that bare the Balancer, 1330 
 
 Who scanned the slanting scales with sceptic eye — 
 
 The Black Horse : He that bare the Name of Death, 
 
 Whom Hades followed. Famine and dread War, 
 
 And Beasts' to slaughter Man, and Pestilence — 
 
 The Pale Horse. 
 
 And the Vision frighted me — 1335 
 
 Prighted the more, since Satan I beheld 
 Fall from the sun, of Uriel thence cast down, 
 Defeated by his brightness ; while soft sounds 
 Sighed from beneath, above, and all around, 
 ' How art thou fallen, starry Lucifer.' 1840 
 
 Then seemed, as 'twere, the Future, yet unborn, 
 Eose from the germ ; expanding : — and, from far. 
 To the mid air, wherein, suspended, swam 
 The falling deity, up from the deep 
 
 Floated the form of an unbodied Man, 1345 
 
 Paul, the Apostle, rapt to the Third Heaven. 
 There, for awhile, delayed ; to look upon 
 That Majesty obscured, but not destroyed. 
 And thus the Saint addressed the Demon- Prince : 
 
 ' Satan, or Zeus ; Archangel of the Light, 1350 
 
 The fluid Light, whereof a part became 
 The firmamental Heavens — thy primal realm, 
 Whose cosmic ether filled unmeasured space ; 
 Knewst not, thou wert create, when Mystery, 
 (Whose Deep obscure thy Being's womb had been) 1355 
 
372 THE JTrDGEMENT. 
 
 Of Darkness older than thyself, remained, 
 
 Beyond thy limits, separate, distinct, 
 
 A barrier that no beam might penetrate ? 
 
 — That Darkness but Light absolute, intense, 
 
 "Whose glory blinded thine intelligence. 1360 
 
 Over the cycles of unfolding Time, 
 
 Thou thence didst hold dominion. Day was thine, 
 
 And so was Night, where wander all the earths, 
 
 Conglobed of luminous matter, swayed by thee, 
 
 God of the worlds, Usurper. But a secret, 1365 
 
 Wherewith still nature groaneth, big with travail. 
 
 Hath aye been uttered by Promethean souls. 
 
 Threatened but not revealed. Deliverance comes. 
 
 But not by thee, whom Fate thus overrules, 
 
 Down-faUing.' 
 
 Having spoken, upward sped 1370 
 
 The Saint upon his flight ; — and downward still 
 Satan descended, shadows hiding him, 
 Pegs, vapours. But at length were these dispelled : 
 And far beyond the myrtle-groves I saw, 
 Astonied, further in, just by the Tree 1375 
 
 Of Lives, — (a Templed Shade, wherein reposed 
 Enoch, awaiting yet translation thence. 
 To place more heavenly, to yet higher heaven ;) 
 A glorious tree, and fruitful ; at whose foot, 
 Eiver of Life, ran, eloquently sweet, 1380 
 
 A'spiritual stream, — seven Angels stand 
 With Trumpets, aU prepared for instant sound : 
 And an Archangel over them, with wings 
 Outspread, sublime, and with a golden voice 
 Of music, like melodious thunder-peals, 1385 
 
 Calling aloud, and not unechoed then 
 Nine-fold ; Wo — wo — wo. Straight the Trumpets blew 
 A blast so high, and deep, and' broad, and long. 
 Heaven shook, and the great Earth ; and all that Mount 
 Of Paradise was shaken. And forth rushed 1390 
 
THE CHEEUBIM. 373 
 
 Seven angry Ones, seraphic, terrible, 
 
 Like gods, with vials in their giant hands, 
 
 Brim-full of wrath — brim-full of wrath-^-and they 
 
 Soared up, and made toward earth, right by the way 
 
 Where the strong "Watchers of heaven's Cataracts 1395 
 
 High station held. — Straightway the Archangel stood 
 
 "Within the Eainbow, he whom Noah saw 
 
 In vision ; and his hand was lifted up 
 
 To swear — but terrour made me blind, and deaf. 
 
 The Veil for me was drawn awhUe, then closed. 1400 
 A calm broods on my soul, and on my mind. 
 As I return unto the common world, 
 Tet full of mystery to the sage, and saint ; 
 An Epos it, in mythic characters 
 
 Composed by hand divine, Creator pure ; 1405 
 
 "Whom with this hymn I worship — His own gift, 
 "With humble heart contrite, with holy fear — 
 Not unbaptized with water, nor with Fire. 
 
 END OF THE JTJBGEMElfT 01 THE rLOOD. 
 
PALINODE 
 
 Heabt ; be not downcast : cheerly, cheerly. 
 
 Some be there tbou hast loved too dearly, 
 
 Things that have won too much regard, 
 
 Trials that have been overhard ; 
 
 Shipwreck of hopes — thou Mariner 
 
 'In seas untried — thou trespasser 
 
 On alien shores — thou sorely tempted : 
 
 Thou dupe of Faith ; whiles, unexempted 
 
 Prom chance, and change, who fondly trusted 
 
 A world too old ; a weapon rusted ; 
 
 An icy globe with snow o'er-crusted. 
 
 That slips, and crunches as we roU it, 
 
 Uphill and downhill, with our feet 
 
 Taught, like a gymnast, to control it, 
 
 Tet — or betrayed, or indiscreet — 
 
 Still sliding from its surface found ; 
 
 TiU, fallen from off the treacherous round, 
 
 Sheer into space we gyrate ; while the skies 
 
 Laugh all about us, with their starry eyes. 
 
 II. 
 
 Tet cheer thee, Heart. Keep merry chime ; 
 Howe'er absurd, howe'er sublime, 
 
PALINOBE. 375 
 
 The strife, the struggle may appear, 
 Let saints applaud, or sinners jeer ; 
 Something is done that had not been, 
 But for thy action on the scene. 
 "What once has been must always be : 
 Throb on, then — while there's pulse in thee. 
 Thy strings be harp-strings — scatter free 
 Their music over land, and sea. 
 — Up to the Heavens, down to the Hells, 
 One Harmony the Chorus swells. 
 Wherein bears each his proper part : 
 Then be not downcast ; cheer thee, Heart. 
 
 Nought that is done in vain is done ; 
 Each mite a world, each world a sun ; 
 Nought so minute, but in its border 
 Besides an Everlasting Order, 
 A. System, an Intelligence 
 From centre to circumference ; 
 The tiniest as infinite 
 As the Titanic to the sight, 
 A universe of law, and truth, 
 StiU fresh as in its davra of youth, 
 FuU of beauty, full of power. 
 Creating both from hour to hour ; 
 Declaring each what all inherit, 
 The Strength of the Poetic Spirit : 
 Whence 'tis each planet to the other 
 Sings, and is sung to, like a brother ; 
 And star to star, like sister-friends, 
 A fond electric message sends, 
 So that the air, from pole to pole, 
 Is formed from Breathings of the Soul. 
 Then cheer thee, Heart. Thy music-chords 
 Let any breeze shape into words. 
 Sing, while thou Uvest ; if thou wouldst live. 
 
376 PALINODE. 
 
 Sing on ; respire what all things give. 
 That influence without which we die. 
 But having, live immortally. 
 
 III. 
 
 wonder-world of poet-song — 
 O harmony of right, and wrong — 
 What knows of you your Maker, ere 
 Te rise within his being's sphere ? 
 ^ Prescient that he can sing, ere he 
 Attempt what is his destiny, 
 He sends his Voice into the Void, 
 And hears its echo overjoyed. 
 A new creation well he knows 
 Withruthat utterance lives, and glows, 
 Child of his Love. Let Mm rejoice 
 In the fair Daughter of his Voice : 
 ^d blame him not, if he should deem 
 His Vision more than common dream, 
 Something even brighter than the gleam 
 That makes the face of nature shine 
 To infant orbs as if divine ; 
 Invested with a solemn trance, 
 Like that which bathes his countenance ; 
 And hath his eyes intensely fired 
 "With aU that proves the man inspired. 
 O wonder- world of poet song — 
 O harmony of right, and wrong — 
 O hidden Kosmos, builded in the brain, 
 Pire-guarded from approach profane. 
 
 1856. 
 
 END. 
 
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