lA-M 
 

 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 i^ajt ©oji^rij^t !fij, 
 
 Shelf .GJ._5N ^ 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 
 1 
 
THE NEW CHRIST I AI 
 
 BY X^ 
 
 JASPER BIJ-COWDIN 
 
 O (Tft 
 
 (?a 
 
 •^HE 
 
 \^i^-^S^- 
 
 BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 J. P.. COWDIN, No. l6 THIRD STREET. 
 
 1884. 
 
6 14-^1 
 
 COPYKIGHT, 1SS4, 
 
 I5v Jasper B. Cowdin. 
 All rights reserved. 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Invocation. — From the scene of the Siivior's crucifixion, Satim 
 hurries to liis capital city in the infernal regions, where 
 he assembles the Powers of the Deep. After alluding to 
 Christ's prophecy in Regard to His resurrection, Satan 
 secures himself from all blame in case of defeat, by repeat- 
 ing his objections to the crime, and the opinion he had 
 formed of the Savior's design ; he then proposes to disguise 
 himself as an angel of light, and ascend the heights of 
 Heaven : if possible, to learn more of Christ and his move- 
 ments. His associates approve; whereupon, assuming a 
 more radiant aspect, he starts on his flight to Mount Sion. 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 /^TERNAL Spirit ! whose mysterious hand 
 
 ^-^ Fashioned a world, and from the opening gloom 
 
 Led forth immortal Man 1 — who, when he lost 
 
 Thy image, lost not Thy redeeming grace — 
 
 While from ten thousand times ten thousand tongues 
 
 And harps angelic on the sea of glass, 
 
 Earth's continents and farthest isles remote, 
 
 The song of praise rolls up before Thy throne, 
 
 How can my harp lie silent and refrain 
 
 From eagerness to join the sweUing hymn ? 
 
 Come, then, bright Muse ! whose holy feet have kit 
 Footprints in Paradise ! and with thy flowers 
 Of fancy, plucked from those delightful banks, 
 A garland weave for Truth — fair Truth alone 
 Sole object of the strain, and sacred kept. 
 Unclouded by the veil of poesy. 
 
 Now had the sun behind Judea's hills 
 Departed, and the Angel of the Night 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 Stretched forth her wing, inviting to repose, 
 When from his blood-stained cross the Son of God, 
 Helpless in death, was borne by willing arms 
 And tenderly laid within the silent gr-ave. 
 
 Three worlds had witnessed on Mount Calvary 
 The Beam from Heaven put out, our only Light ! 
 Whose glory thus dimmed, the sun refused to shine : 
 The countless twinkling multitudes of Heaven 
 Swept down in clouds to view the tragic scene; 
 While quite as numberless, the hosts of Hell, 
 Called forth by Satan, swarmed around the Mount 
 To watch his sufferings (him they dared not mock, 
 Aware of his divinity, lest wrath 
 Terrific burst) ; and last, through ignorance bold, 
 Mankind, a few except, reviled his death. 
 
 But all was over now : and the pale stars 
 Looked down with kindly love on sinful man, 
 Just as they did on that serenest night 
 When God called Abraham forth to number them. 
 His covenant had not failed — the Promise came ! 
 Unchanging God ! no power could change Thy plans. 
 
 The moment Jesus died, the angel watch 
 Retired, with softer lays ; but in their hearts 
 
BOOK 1. 
 
 Expectant joy already conquered death. 
 
 The noisy brood of demons to their prison 
 
 Departed in confusion, like a band 
 
 Of lawless soldiers bent on sacrilege. 
 
 These to their Hell : the human fiends to their' 
 
 A restless pillow and a guilty dread. 
 
 All except Satan : on the Mount alone 
 Stood the dread angel in perplexed thought, 
 When all around was still ; and to himself, 
 As to a friend, he in deep muse thus spake : 
 
 " Did not the sun his radiance turn aside 
 From such a scene, as better in darkness hid ? 
 The solid temple in Jerusalem 
 •Shook, and the costly veil was rent in twain 
 By unseen fingers ; rocks, disparting, yawned 
 As by a shock of earthquake, and the graves 
 Of many saints were opened. Hence I fear 
 The pillars of my kingdom have been shaken 
 By more than mortal foe ! What kind of man 
 Was this, and is he vanquished e'en in death ? 
 Deep in my heart Suspicion builds her nest 
 To hatch a myriad brood of anxious fears. 
 Yea, now my sharpest cunning must avail 
 To pierce this secret, alLelse left undone." 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 So saying, he prepared for hasty flight 
 His spreading wings : rose from the tragic Mount, 
 And like a sable whirlwind swept away, 
 Bound for the gates of death. Those iron bars 
 No more are closed ; but at his dark approach 
 Yawn wider, who first oped them to our woe. 
 Far down the abysses, horrible and vast, 
 Where mildewed rocks dripped poison and the air 
 Was foul from pestilential fogs and clouds. 
 The darting spirit found his devious way. 
 A s'traighter flight impelled him o'er the sands 
 Of a broad desert, vacant of all life. 
 Too desolate and barren for the foot 
 Of even such a spirit. This he crossed : 
 And now the waters of the Stygian lake 
 Lay dark and motionless before his eye. 
 He rested for a moment on the strand, 
 Then poised his wings afresh and faster flew 
 Across the dead expanse. The opposite shore 
 Loomed into view. Thereon a mountain st.jod, 
 Upheaving rolls of smoke and lurid flames, 
 Whose flickering light, reaching far down the coast, 
 Revealed the sombre regions of the dead 
 In all their startling horrors. On the mount 
 Satan triumphant stood : a kind of pride, 
 
bOOK 1. \ 
 
 Bom of despair, lighting his spectral face, 
 
 As in the dusky vale beyond he saw 
 
 His capital city, Pandemonium, 
 
 Studded with twinkling jets. The fallen host 
 
 Beheld their chief descend the mountain-side ; 
 
 And with gay pageantry and noisy pomp 
 
 Attended, was the Great Apostate led 
 
 Before his stately palace. With thick clouds 
 
 Encompassed, and though wrapped in sheets of flame, 
 
 Above them all the central dome rose high 
 
 In majesty, as if defying Heaven. 
 
 Ascending to his throne, at once the King 
 Of Darkness sped his messengers in haste, 
 To summon from all quarters of his kingdom 
 The Powers of the Deep ; and they on wings 
 As swift and dread as tempest-clouds at sea, 
 Gathered at Pandemonium, by the sound 
 Of echoing trumpet guided, sign of war. 
 These round their champion closed , beside what else 
 Of lesser note could gain the council hall : 
 Messengers, city-idlers, spirits from the Earth — 
 A Babel of words and brush of settling wings. 
 Subsiding to a hum — then silence reigned ; 
 Which Satan perceiving, he as promptly rose. 
 And with heroic gesture thus began : 
 
BOOK L 19 
 
 " Powers of Hell ! obedient to my call 
 Ye from the four winds of the Deep appear 
 At solemn synod — where I trust my words 
 Will find acceptance. Marvelous things occur 
 To urge this haste, and claim our earnest thought ; 
 For our great Enemy, who late hath walked 
 Judea, and repentance preached to men, 
 Is crucified and buried. Yet he said, 
 •After three days I rise again.' Ye saw 
 How all his other sayings came to pass, 
 And know my vote was to prevent his death 
 By all means possible, hearing this speech ; 
 But ye opposed, and clamored for his end. 
 Against my better judgment I inclined 
 The heart of Judas to betray his chief, 
 Conforming to your wishes : so that blame, 
 In case of our defeat, falls not on me. 
 Though man, he was — God ; nor do I judge by death 
 Him vanquished : but by that mysterious means 
 Perchance he works new mischief in our state. 
 
 " Hear, then, what I propose : Myself will climb 
 To where Mount Sion overlooks the vale 
 Oi Paradise: and there, commanding view 
 Of what transpires, and listening what is said, 
 
e>-^ 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 May gain some sudden knowledge of much use 
 In this our war of cunning, not of might ; 
 And, though the hidden purpose of his death 
 He may not suffer us to know, our hearts 
 Will be exempt from some uncertainty. 
 The angels will not pierce my deep disguise ; 
 And he that allowed me to escape my cell 
 And venture forth to taint his new-made world, 
 Will hardly deign to cast me from those heights 
 
 Satan ended, yet the stillness was prolonged : 
 The doomed immortals sat lost in dismay 
 Before his bold design. As, ere the storm, 
 A death-like silence broods o'er nature's face : 
 The leaves are still, the air devoid of life, 
 Till with a sudden start the earth and sky 
 Are shaken by the tempest — so from these, 
 Awhile confounded, burst approving shouts. 
 
 And now behold a miracle of power 
 Wrought by the Dragon — he to whom is given 
 Power and great glory in the Earth and Hell : 
 An angel form, with garments white as light, 
 Appeared before the throne, his spiry wings 
 Poised lightly, and prepared for instant flight. 
 
BOOK I. 
 
 At once the council, terror-struck, fell back 
 
 Before this dreadful messenger of wrath 
 
 Sent by Almighty God (such their belieQ ; 
 
 But Satan, rising from his throne, called forth 
 
 Beelzebub, and gave his last. commands : 
 
 On him conferred the present cares of state 
 
 (Since none with stronger wisdom could support 
 
 His government, and push the wily Scheme): 
 
 Then without more delay, but prouder steps. 
 
 Approached his bright delusion. Watched by all. 
 
 He gave no sign : but as a drop of water, 
 
 If it but touch a kindred drop, will spring 
 
 To eager union — so the King of Hell, 
 
 Reaching the phantom, by his spirit-powder 
 
 He entered it quick as the lightning's flash ; 
 
 And thence infusing life to all its parts, 
 
 Like a swift dart into the frowning sky 
 
 He sped, and left the host wondering below. 
 
 Instant the swarming multitude of spirits 
 
 Took wing, with thunderous shouts ; but vainlv strove 
 
 To see him well attended on his way. 
 
 For he on sweeping pinions borne aloft, 
 
 Soon disappeared within the closing gloom. 
 
 r(E- 
 
 {^&- 
 
BOOK II. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Satan, throned on Mount Sion, beholds the glory of God and 
 the celestial multitude.— The music of Heaven draws from 
 him tears ; his various emotions described,— The heavenlv 
 Eden.— Israfel is first recognized, amused with his harp.— 
 The Prophetic Sanhedrim.— The Army of the Redeemed : 
 Satan, for the first time, hears their song; the angels 
 marvel and listen.— Elijah's chariot.— Satan discovers, in 
 the Orb of God, a vacant throne. — The ascension of Christ: 
 the angels celebrate it in a hymn of triumph. 
 
BOOK 11. 
 
 npHE sun, the moon and stars beneath his feet 
 
 Twinkled like particles of dust that cross 
 The pathway of the sunlight ; yet unchecked, 
 The bright-robed Angel on his way aloft 
 Paused not, but added swiftness to his wings 
 And vigor, as his spirit rose with hope : 
 Till through the boundless blue his eye discerned 
 Far off the Mount of God, whose top was clothed 
 In soft white light. Majestic, silent, grand ! 
 How awful seemed the Mount, how much like God 
 Washing its hallowed feet and murmuring lovv, 
 The River of Life, a broad and bright expanse 
 Of dancing water, happy as a child, 
 Flowed onward to dispense its blessings rare ; 
 While from the opposite shore the mystic strain 
 Of Heaven's music floated o'er the waves. 
 
 High on that glittering mountain peak the Kin.u 
 Of Darkness rested from his daring flight, 
 Folded his snow-white wings, and made his seat 
 The highest pinnacle : from thence with ease 
 Commanding view of utmost Paradise. 
 
BOOK 11. 
 
 How dared he thus wander on holy soil, 
 
 Presumptuous ? But twice before he came 
 
 (A bold accuser) with the sons of God 
 
 When they appeared before the sovran throne. 
 
 Shame and defeat he suffered ; now once more 
 
 Allowed, with feet unsanctified, to touch 
 
 The sacred Mount, that God might bring before him 
 
 The panorama of bis coming doom. 
 
 At once the great vvhite throne burst on his view 
 With overpowering splendor — but his eyes, 
 Long used to darkness, could not bear the glorv 
 Of him that sat thereon. Yet, blinded thus, 
 He saw the bright illimitable host 
 Of seraphim go whirling on their way 
 Around the throne, bathed in its falling beams : 
 And as with fingers light tbey swept their harps. 
 The dear, familiar song of long ago. 
 Wafted by dreamy winds across the waves, 
 Fell on his pensive ear. That far off song 
 With such unearthly sweetness filled his soul, 
 That, overcome, he slowly bowed his head 
 And melted into tears ! From Memory's halls 
 Forth came a long procession of sweet thoughts 
 And dearest recollections ; but tbeir voices 
 
BOOK II. 31 
 
 Chanted of days forever gone, no more 
 
 To soothe his soul. But yesterday it seemed 
 
 Since he in radiant majesty sat throned 
 
 Among those jewelled spirits, hovering round 
 
 His high pavilion, crowning him with flowers. 
 
 But yesterday it seemed — and yet how vast 
 
 The widening gulf between I how full of black 
 
 And threatening terrors, horrid consternation. 
 
 Misery, pain, remorse 1 Never till then 
 
 Had he perceived the wretchedness and loss 
 
 Of his estate, how vain his puny wars. 
 
 "A place of rest to lay my fevered head 
 
 How welcome ! (thus he sighed) my soul is driven 
 
 i)y whirlwinds of tempestuous wrath ; and hope, 
 
 Her light extinguished, hath left me forlorn 
 
 To founder in the deep ! If Death, my son, 
 
 Could quench his dart within my surging spirit, 
 
 (Gladly I would exchange, for that great calm. 
 
 The cares of empire and my steadfast hate." 
 
 Again, prone on the holy Mount, he fell 
 
 In anguish deep and shed most bitter drops, 
 
 Forgetful of his mission to search out 
 
 The secrets of the sky — till haughty Pride 
 
 (Foe of tbe Spirit, keeping human hearts 
 
 From worshipping Jehovah) checked his grief. 
 
'^TS 
 
BOOK IL 
 
 Now the sweet song inducing him to tears 
 Arose to a sublimer strain, till all 
 The vast recesses of the imperial arch 
 Shook with triumphant music 1 Bolt upright 
 The listening Outcast reared, and held his breath 
 As the wild inspiration seized his soul ; 
 But as the sacred aathem higher rose 
 And grander still, a moment he forgot 
 His lost condition— spread his mighty wings 
 For eager flight, and would have passed the gulf : 
 But that almighty Will, ^vhich overrules 
 And gives a bound to evil, interfered. 
 In feverish impatience, then, he rent 
 His gaudy robes : vexation and despair 
 Pressed on him with such fierceness, that he sank 
 Exhausted from the conflict. 
 
 Now 'twas past. 
 And sullen resignation to his fate 
 Subdued his soul to calmness. First he fixed 
 His thoughts upun the exploit for which he can.e 
 'ihus far frum Hell's dark valley-then upraised 
 His eyes, observant of the wonders round. 
 
 As the bright orb of day forever shines 
 In the pure sky, and pours his radiance down 
 
BOOK II. 35 
 
 4 
 
 Wide o'er the smiling earth — so the great throne 
 
 Oi God, enshrouded in eternal glorv, 
 
 Forming an orb of light, sheds holy beams 
 
 On all beneath. Blessed are they that feel 
 
 Its constant influence breathing on their souls I 
 
 Gathered in mid-air moves a countless throng 
 
 Of starry seraphim ; while far below 
 
 Lie spread the sweet hills and blooming vales of Heaven. 
 
 There wander happy spirits seeking blest 
 
 Retirement in the mystic groves, and pluck 
 
 Immortal fruit ; or lie on twilight banks 
 
 In quiet meditation, where the stream 
 
 Pours out its dreamy music o'er the rocks. 
 
 What various scenes were witnessed from the M<Mint 
 By the improper tenant there enthroned. 
 Celestial Muse ! thy memory best can tell. 
 
 Within a bower of overshadowing leaves, 
 His sylvan temple, dedicate to song. 
 Sat Israfel, who has the sweetest voice 
 KM all the angels, liim the King of Hell 
 First recognized — with head and eyes upcast: 
 His bright companions, pensive in that hour. 
 Around him, and attentive to his harp, 
 As though well pleased. How oft in happier days 
 
no Ok' I J. 37 
 
 Had Satan, sitting at his feet, been charmed 
 With many a wild romance angelical, 
 Or dim i)oetic legend of the skies ! 
 
 Like piled-iip banks of snow-white clouds, at rest 
 Above the setting sun, suffused with gold, 
 Far off upon the plain arose to view 
 A group of thrones, and they that sat thereon 
 Prophets of old, whose flaming tongues had once 
 Foretold a coming Saviour. Abraham there, 
 Presiding in magnificence, shone forth 
 Far brighter than the morning star ; his wings. 
 Spread wide in silent grandeur, hovered o'er 
 The awful synod, whose calm, dreamful eyes 
 Were upward gazing with a soft delight 
 On his resplendent beams. Like incense rising 
 From off an altar, from that sacred throng 
 The rolling hymn ascended, blent with strains 
 Of low, impressive music, up to God. 
 Long time was Satan's gaze intently fixed 
 Upon their saintly faces, lit with love : 
 The starlight on his forehead once as bright. 
 Now gone forever ! Ah, can he forget. 
 Though scenes of new beauty draw his eyes away ? 
 
 Far distant, in a valley dim, he saw^ 
 Unnumbered armies of celestial spirits, 
 
BOOK JI. 
 
 Clad in white robes and palms within their hands, 
 
 Watched o'er by Moses with most tender love. 
 
 In meekness at their head he wandered forth, 
 
 And led them, as a shepherd doth his flock, 
 
 Through pastures green and by the shadyside, 
 
 Where springs of joy ineffable o'erHow. 
 
 As the great host advanced with mighty shouts 
 
 And harpings, a new song was heard in Heaven — 
 
 The Song of the Redeemed ! Wondering sat 
 
 The spirit from He'l, and bent his listening ear 
 
 To catch the notes, now dying faint away, 
 
 Now svveeping full and clear adown the wind. 
 
 Nor less the seraphic minions wondering heard 
 
 The hallowed strain : they, ceasing from their flight, 
 
 Lo(jked on each other with a vague surmise ; 
 
 Then, circling in descent, their sparkling i^^X. 
 
 Alighted on the crystal mountain tops. 
 
 From thence benignly did they view the host 
 
 Of human spirits, by the atoning blood 
 
 Of Jesus sealed ; till their aspiring love 
 
 Burned upward with such force that, drawn aloft. 
 
 They spread their far-reaching wings and whirled away. 
 
 Wrapt in ecstatic joy ! The envious eye 
 
 Of Satan marked their flight : thence roving wide 
 
 .>9 
 
BOOK 11. 
 
 Beneath the throne, a sight sn])limc he met. 
 
 Like some bright comet speeding on its way 
 Through the eternal space, and shapes its path 
 Among the crossing multitudes of stars — 
 So now appeared, far on the outer verge 
 Of Heaven's arch, Elijah's chariot 
 And fiery steeds. The prophet on his car 
 Triumphant sat, and by his eager side 
 Adam, the first of humankind. A cloud 
 Of cherubs flew before with trumpets raised, 
 The vvhirlvvind followed gayly. Rumbling sounds 
 Like distant thuuder jarred along the skies, 
 As they with headlong fury swept away 
 In quest of new-born w<jrlds. O boundless longinu 
 Of the deep spirit to explore at will 
 The never-ending realms I Infinity 
 Alone will satisfy the human soul. 
 
 From his exalted mountain seat once more 
 The King of Darkness raised his eyes, and strove 
 To pierce the blinding glory of that Orb 
 Within whose burning center is ensphered 
 The triple throne. Twice he essayed the task 
 And failed ; the tnird time penetrated keen 
 
BOOK' II. 
 
 Its awful depths — instantly withdrew his eyes I 
 
 But in that glance he saw enough to shake 
 
 His soul with terror — for lo I the second throne 
 
 Was vacant of its Lord — a part of Godhead gone 
 
 The sudden revelation so surprised 
 
 The impure angel, that an icy shaft 
 
 Of horror chilled his heart ; a heavy dread 
 
 (3f coming wrath appalled him ; but he strove 
 
 To roll the burden off by watching close 
 
 The changing panorama spread below. 
 
 As oft, before a tempest, Nature seems 
 Uneasv, and her ocean- waters fret 
 In choppy waves, impatient at the pause — 
 So now the busy angel host appeared 
 In expectation of some great event 
 Just on the eve of happening. Two and fro 
 In quick excitement glaced the twinkling spirits, 
 Happy in their thoughts. This deep impressed 
 The spirit from Hell ; and as with narrow eye 
 He watched their evolutions, filled with doubt. 
 Two angels from before the throne of God 
 Descended to the Earth on rapid wing. 
 Scarce had they disappeared, ere from a group 
 Of seraphim that circled near the top 
 
BOOK II. 
 
 Of a white peak, ruse one, a brighter spirit 
 Thau were the rest, and neared the flashing Orb : 
 Whom Satan recognized as Gabriel 
 Less by his trumpet than his noble daring. 
 
 As the gay skylark, of ambitious flight. 
 In upw'ard springing, with excess of rapture 
 Flutters and sings — so Gabriel, nearly lost 
 To sight u'ithin the radiance of the Orb, 
 Exulting, poured his song. With sudden wheel 
 He dropped obliquely from that dizzy height, 
 Earthward his graceful couEse. As by the verge 
 Of Heaven he passed, a choral hymn arose 
 From vast assembled voices, like the sound 
 Of ocean when it thunders on the strand : 
 
 " Alleluia ! worthy is the Lamb, 
 That brought salvation to the Earth and dipped 
 His vesture in blood, to come with Heaven's clouds 
 And sit down at the right hand of our God 
 In flames of glory!" 
 
 Thus they their pcean sung : 
 A better Christiad than the feeble voice 
 From Earth can lift — and golden silence dawned : 
 Whose daybreak to the sight of angels brought 
 
HOOK II. 47 
 
 The- bright schechinah, like a pillar of cloud. 
 Suddenly built between the Karth and f leaven — 
 A royal stairway for the I'rince of Peace 
 Returning to his Father! Never the sun 
 Hroke through a storm-cloud to illume the Earth 
 With such a smiling radiance, as that shaft 
 Of sacred light, proceeding from the throne, 
 Made all things with supernal glory shine. 
 
 Expectancy in Satan rose so high, 
 That, like a frail bark on the tempest- wave 
 Exalted beyond itself, he, breathless, stood : 
 Till from the deep abyss on hurried wing 
 Rose Gabriel, and his lifted trumpet blew — 
 The mighty blast echoed far o'er the plains 
 Of Paradise, and every kingdom awed 
 To silence in that holy clime. The songs 
 Of Heaven ceased, all harjjs were cast aside, 
 And the assembled millions reverent stood 
 To witness Christ ascending from the Earth. 
 
 The seven lamps that burn before the throne 
 Now beamed with greater brightness, and the hue 
 Of the white pillar of light grew more intense. 
 Till through that shaft angelic eyes beheld 
 The glorious vision of the Son of Man 
 Coming with clouds, who in their rolling folds 
 Rose, dreadfully serene, with upstxetched hands, 
 And steadfast eyes fixed on the eternal throne. 
 
BOOK II. 49 
 
 Oh 1 such uneartlily sweetness in that look 
 
 Was manifest, such depth of love divine, 
 
 The awful mystery of atoning grace, 
 
 God reconciled to Man, and both at peace, 
 
 The angels could no more endure the sight, 
 
 But turned— and by their silence sliowed their love. 
 
 When Christ had risen to the pillar's height. 
 And entered the joy-irradiating Orb, 
 Such glory from it flooded over Heaven, 
 Innumerable white wings their pointed spires 
 On high upreared : thus covering from the excess 
 Of rapture visible, faces of wondrous light 1 . 
 Seraph and cherub in prostrate attitude 
 Fell forward on the jasper pave to worship 
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, crying, 
 
 " Alleluia 1 honor, and glory, and blessing, 
 Be with our God, the Spirit, and the Lamb, 
 Once dead, but now alive forevermore, 
 Amen, and holds the keys of Hell and death." 
 
 And again they said, "Alleluia !" As the deep 
 Roars sublime, or dreadful voice of thunder, 
 [arring the solid heavens on its way 
 Far down the arch — so came the jubilee ; 
 O'erflowing first the prophets, whelming all 
 
BOO A' II. 
 
 The redeemed ot Christ, and ocean-like swept on. 
 Till the far kingdoms of the starry plain 
 Took up the song, and faintly vvafted back 
 The sound of "Alleluia." Long that hymn 
 Will be remembered, not by God alone 
 And his resplendent myriads, but by Satan, 
 The darkest mind in all the universe, 
 Wlio on his mountain trembled at the strain. 
 
 What then transpired in the bright flashing (Jrb 
 No eye in Heaven beheld : communion sweet. 
 Beyond all grasping of created mind, 
 Doubtless the cause of the dilated Sphere. 
 
 Awful seclusion of the adored Three ! 
 Deliberate Trinity ■ can thought for Man 
 Intrude to thy recess ? Yet from the Orb 
 Came Jesus, in his countenance such beams 
 Of holy love, as far transcends the power 
 Of utterance. Most benignly he advanced 
 Among the archangels, who, majestic poised 
 Around his kingly presence, offered love 
 And greetings manifold. With hastening steps 
 He then descended to the blissful plains. 
 And mingled with the j(jy-crowned human host. 
 
 There Moses, in the solemn forms of Heaven. 
 With all the angels round, gave up his charge. 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 A trumpet giving: the signal, the angels gather about Messiah's 
 chariot, and conduct him forth, on his way to prepare u 
 place for his redeemed people. — They halt at the scene of 
 Heaven's rebellion. — Christ destroys the throne of Satan, 
 and converts the desolate battle-field into a beautiful 
 garden. — The city of New Jerusalem rises therein, illu- 
 minated by the Orb. — The angels enter its gates with 
 great rejoicing. — Some of its beauties described. — The 
 judgment-throne appears, with Christ glorified thereon, — 
 The crowns for the saints are woven, the jewels placed 
 within them, and put away till the resurrection morn : one 
 fairer than the rest.— The departure from the city, whosi 
 glories are guarded against evil spirits, and reserved till 
 Christ shall have put all things under his feet. 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 OoON from a lofty mountain peak was heard 
 The sound of a great trumpet, and a voice 
 Proclaimed in Heaven, saying, " Go ye forth. 
 Armies and legions of the living God, 
 Attendant on Immanuel ; for he builds 
 A radiant City, where his saints, redeemed. 
 May dwell with him and reign forevermore." 
 
 No mortal tongue could number forth the powtr.< 
 And kingdoms vast which, at the summons heard. 
 Around the King of Glory drew with shouts 
 That shook Heaven's base, and in procession bright 
 Led fcjrth the great Redeemer. Calmly throned 
 Within his blazing chariot, and robed 
 With omnipotence, he moved in all his strength 
 Majestic, to the sound of trumpets blown. 
 And many voices glorifying God. 
 
 Far on the right-hand verge of Heaven a plain 
 Lay wild and desolate, where yet the marks 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 Remained of that tremendous battle, fought 
 
 When the defeated Angel and his host 
 
 Were headlong hurled from Heaven. Golden whee],> 
 
 Of chariots, broken spears, and armor crushed, 
 
 Were scattered wide along the waste ; a throne 
 
 Stood in the center, black and lightning-scarred. 
 
 There Satan, in the pre-demonic age. 
 
 Had swayed the scepter o'er a realm of spirits ; 
 
 But since his fall was left for angel eyes 
 
 To view, and learn discretion from the sight. 
 
 The long procession, glittering, thither marched : 
 But, ere they reached it. King Immanuel paused, 
 His followers halting also to await 
 His blest commands. Then from his chariot seat 
 Slowly he rose : and, lifting up his eyes 
 To the unclouded (^rb, these words benign 
 Tronounced : 
 
 " O Father I for this happy hour 
 I thank thee, to whom praise is due ; thou knowest 
 I have obeyed thee alway, and thy will 
 Hath been my joy. Now glorify thy Son ; 
 And let these spirits of our peaceful state 
 Behold thy judgment on the works of Hell." 
 
 At once a Voice came from the burning Orb : 
 " Thou art my well-belovtd Son ; in thee 
 
 57 
 
BOOK III. 59 
 
 My wishes all I find fulfilled ; do thou 
 
 As seeineth best, for thee have I sent fcnth." 
 
 Then Jesus, turning to the concourse, spake 
 With kindly voice, but full of warning grave : 
 " Fear God, and give glory to him ; for, lo, 
 The hour of his judgment is come. Your eyes 
 Behold the desolation of the wicked ; 
 But from henceforth no more shall Satan's throne 
 Be seen among you. I am come to destroy 
 His habitation, and in place thereof 
 A City raise, where my exalted saints 
 In one long reign of bliss with me shall dwell." 
 
 He said ; and stretched on high his mighty arm. 
 Dark clouds obeyed, and gathered o'er the plain 
 Their massed blackness — from their bosom sent 
 The triple dart, whose crimson terrors flying 
 Against the throne, a crash was heard in Heaven. 
 So hnid, it spread amazement through the host : 
 And the vast fabric disappeared from sight 
 In hideous confusion — so a ship 
 Will founder in the night, when whirlwinds sweep 
 The angry sea, and flash the blinding flames. 
 
 Rushing at once came from the new-made void 
 Volumes of pitchy smoke, as from a furnace. 
 Extending far, and clothing all the sky 
 
Q^ 
 
BOOK III. f.r 
 
 In somber pall. Around Messiah's car 
 
 The angels gathered close : and, as thev stood 
 
 O'ercome with awe, but mindful of his care 
 
 And watchful goodness, high above their heads 
 
 In the dark heaven appeared a Cross of blood ; 
 
 And from its center shone a silver Star, 
 
 Which, widening, dispersed a glory round ; 
 
 And from the glory came a whiter shaft, 
 
 Descending through the darkness. As it grew 
 
 With fast increasing splendor o'er the void. 
 
 Sweet sounds came from the Orb — as though the (rod 
 
 Who music made, himself had touched the threads 
 
 Of some unseen and never-dreampt-of harp. 
 
 Tuned to high themes, and strangely all unlike 
 
 Music of Earth, or Heaven, or march of worlds I 
 
 ....Fixed in deep muse, alone with his great thoughts. 
 
 And hymning to himself their meanings dark, 
 
 Which none, the highest in Heaven, were fit to share . 
 
 While angels wondered, to that prelude soft 
 An airy City, rising from the void. 
 Unfolded all her beauty like a flower. 
 And stood i-evealed. Whiter her palaces 
 Than purest marble, and her twinkling domes 
 More bright than sapphire of the rippled sea. 
 Softly illuminated by her God, 
 She needed not the light of sun or moon 
 To shine upon her streets ; she sat the Queen 
 Of Heaven, and New Jerusalem her name. 
 
BOOK in. 
 
 Stretching for leagues around, the rolhng hills 
 Of Heaven rose, their summits touched with silver ; 
 Which Saint John seeing, thought a sea of glass. 
 
 The waiting host, with sound of trumpets loud, 
 Of cymbal and theorbo, forward wheeled 
 Their winged steps before the imperial car. 
 And, entering through the high-arched gates of peai 
 Flew up the glittering streets. Admiring eyes 
 They turned on all the beauties of the scene, 
 For with no sparing hand had God disposed 
 His new creations. Round the Tree of Life, 
 Already blooming by the tranquil waters. 
 Gathered the bannered millions ; and from thence 
 Was offered up a solemn ode of praise 
 Tu the Great Architect whose bounteous hand 
 Had reared that lasting residence for Man. 
 Dispersing then, each took his chosen path 
 As fancy led, to inspect the glorious work ; 
 And at each unexpected beauty paused 
 In sweet surprise, and filled with happiest thought 
 
 The Cross above the City, on whose breast 
 The Star of David lay, had with its beams 
 Dispersed the transient darkness, and now light 
 Froi-n the great Orb of God fell clearly do^ 
 Upon the recovered plain. The City lay 
 Beneath its happy luster like a gem 
 
 iwn 
 
BOOK HI. 
 
 Sparkling intense, her myriad palaces 
 
 And lofty domes reflecting back His ])eams. 
 
 Serenely flowing, silent as a dream. 
 
 Transpicuous and clear, the Stream of Life 
 
 Wound through the City's midst and passed far rmt 
 
 Atween the verdant slopes. Its bosom smooth, 
 
 Unruffled as a mirror, caught the forms 
 
 Of fairy images along its banks. 
 
 And, softly inverted in the twilight tide. 
 
 They viewed their loveliness. On either side 
 
 The mystic River bloomed the Tree of Life ; 
 
 Nor wanted aught of blossom or of leaf 
 
 T(j magnify her beauty. Fair her fruit. 
 
 Delightful to the taste, and, noble thought ! 
 
 Her leaves were for the healing of the nations. 
 
 Not here was room denied for spacious vales 
 
 And solemn forest walks, amid whose aisles 
 
 Was heard the music of the white cascade 
 
 Soft-dashing o'er the steep ; and echoes strange 
 
 From sylvan grottoes hung with mossy fern. 
 
 At pleasing intervals a garden bright, 
 
 Lucent with jewels, to the Earth-tired soul 
 
 Whispered of Rest. The lily and white rose 
 
 There twined in loving friendship, and all flowers 
 
 Of spotless purity their incense gave 
 
 To the delightful winds. Cool fountains poured 
 
BOOK' 111. 
 
 Their lucid waters into crystal urns, 
 
 So delicately broidercd that it seemed 
 
 Their ruin e'en to touch them. Joyous birds 
 
 From spray to spray, in innocence of mirth, 
 
 Flew, busy with their sport ; or swayed aloft. 
 
 And poured their glad notes on the vernal air. 
 
 Immortal home ! yet these the least of all 
 
 Its joys : for Fellowship is the soul of Heaven. 
 
 The angels wandered through these blest retreats 
 In admiration pure ; but when they reached 
 The central Square, astonishment and awe 
 Checked suddenly their steps : for now, behold I 
 The impressive vision of a great white throne. 
 Whose slender spires were in the cloudless arch 
 Sublimely lost. Around it, all ablaze 
 With apostolic symbols, and expressing 
 The central fignre, though in less degree. 
 Twelve thrones, for Israel's judges, proudly stood. 
 
 After a thunder-storm, how oft we see. 
 Clear-cut and sharp against a violet sky. 
 Some great white mass of clouds, in dazzling light 
 Unfold its beauties, till the musing mind 
 Can fancy, that from plains of silver rise 
 The minarets of oriental cities ; 
 Or toppling mountains, half-way up whose heights 
 Dissolving castles fade before the eye. 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 So now appeared the vision of the throne, 
 Amid whose clouds one like the Son of Man 
 In peerless grandeur rose, his love-bright face 
 Tempered by shadows, lest the beholding throng 
 Should perish in his rising. From those clouds 
 The voice of Jesus came in well-loved words : 
 
 " Many of them that slumber in the dust 
 Shall waken, some to everlasting life, 
 Some to contempt and shame. They that be wise- 
 Will shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
 And they that turn many to righteousness. 
 As the stars forever and ever." 
 
 Then a spirit 
 From underneath the throne uttered his voice. 
 And summoned the angels to the pleasing task 
 Of weaving crowns for the redeemed to wear. 
 Gladly their toil began, and round them rose 
 Crowns of pure gold, wrought in exquisite lines 
 Of filigree, where oft the wearer's deeds 
 In bright succession glowed ; or, lacking deeds. 
 Compassion, quick to hide the fault, supplied 
 Emblems of beauty, such as delicate flowers, 
 Or trellised leaves, whose everlasting hues 
 Outvied the rainbow's soon-dissolving tints — 
 Such power of foresight on the angels came. 
 
BOOK III. 71 
 
 While loving fingers twined the fadeless wreaths 
 For poor earth-vveaiy heads, a hymn arose 
 From choral voices, blended with soft strains 
 Of heart-subduing music, pensive and low. 
 As when from some cathedral, on a calm 
 And moon-lit night, the solemn chant is heard 
 Low-sung within it : if a door be opened, 
 Sudden the swelling anthem gushes forth ; 
 Then, as the portal closes, dies away 
 In cadence faint — so from that sacred throng 
 Came broken echoes of their melody 
 Across the far-reaching gulf. The outcast King 
 Heard on his mountain snatches of the song. 
 
 (The various songs of Heaven discord none 
 Can make, though all at once their mingled notes 
 Ascend — so nicely doth each part accord 
 \Vith other, and are interwoven all 
 In one supernal, everlasting Hymn : 
 As the four Vi^ices of the sweet quartet, 
 Though diverse, fall harmonious on the ear.) 
 
 Fast as the crowns were woven, they were brought 
 And meekly laid at the Redeemer's feet ; 
 For none but his nail-scarred hand might number fortl; 
 The stars for each, and set them in their place. 
 All-wise and all-foreseeing, he discerned 
 The millions yet unborn, his dear-loved saints, 
 Destined to wear those circlets ; and a smile 
 
■C>-c 
 
BOOK III. : 
 
 Passed o'er his features when he drojjped a crown 
 Well filled with gems : but oh 1 what looks of pity 
 i\x\<S, tender sadness shaded o'er his face, 
 NVhene'er a crown fell from his generous hand 
 Without a single star to gild its front ! 
 
 At last the work was finished ; and with shouts 
 The crowns were gathered by unwearied hands 
 Into God's treasury, there to await 
 The final Day, and the last trumpet's sound ; 
 But (jne was gathered fairer than the rest, 
 A glorious wreath I and destined for that Head 
 Which once, in love for Man, a diadem 
 Endured of thorns. When the departing skies 
 Shall roll together, and the great white throne 
 Appear in Heaven, then his waking saints 
 With cries of victory shall ascend on high 
 To meet the Bridegroom ; crown him with that wreatl 
 And, while the City flashes every gem, 
 Rejoicing greatly, from his pierced hand 
 Receive their own, and enter to the feast. 
 
 Christ now descended to his car ; and all 
 The elated millions following in bright train, 
 Departed from the City. As they poured 
 Out from her twelve-fold gates, a guard was left 
 Within those shining portals, there to hinder 
 ICntrance of evil spirits, till the end 
 Of time, and resurrection of the dead. 
 
BOOK IV. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 utan discovers, at the left-hand of the Orb of God, a hike of 
 tire and brimstone.— The Beast and the False Prophet are 
 there foreshadowed : also the rejected Jews and heathen 
 nations.- The phantom Serpent.— Satan, becoming alarmed 
 at the scene, loses his seU-possession, and (iod decrees his 
 fall from the Mount.- His second descension into Hell 
 is witnessed by Heaven and Earth.-Michael, standin- 
 on the Mount with his company, addresses the Deity in a 
 psahn of praise. 
 
BOOK IV. 
 
 O ATAN from liis exalted mountain seat 
 
 Beheld these glories at the right-hand of (rod 
 In high absorbent mood ; he scarce relaxed 
 The steadfast vigil, till by saddened thoughts 
 His eyes were turned away. But by that chance 
 (Or providence, for God doth govern all). 
 His vision swept the left-hand of the Orb, 
 Where a great horror of darkness met his view. 
 
 A sable cloud above that region hung, 
 The pall of a dead world, whose solemn folds 
 Were whirled about by the careering winds 
 In dreadful warfare. 'Neath the sable cloud 
 Uneasy rolled a lake of fire, whose waves 
 Reached up and lapped the frowning sky. Benciitli 
 The red lake's broken foam, the shadowy round 
 Of a great valley stretched ; and Satan's eye, 
 Keen-searching far within its crimson depths. 
 Discovered, that along those buried plains 
 Dim cities lay, their minarets and towers 
 Swept over by the leaping spray of fire. 
 
BOO A' III. 7 
 
 As yet no evil spirit liacl set his foot 
 In that dark world ; it stood in readiness 
 For the lasL trumpet's all-awakening sound, 
 Calling Life and Death before the judgment-throne. 
 
 The wide-extended regions of the north 
 Were covered by the Beast whose clammy wings 
 Dripped with the blood of saints. Cathedrals rose 
 Within a skeleton Rome : and from their spires 
 vShone forth the sacred cross — as if to mock 
 The vanity of ceremonial rite 
 And pageant gay, where Mercy's pleading voice 
 Is drowned in her own blood. The loathesome Beast 
 Encircled with his tented wings all souls 
 Whose hope of Heaven rested on their works 
 Or empty forms. 
 
 The False Prophet on the east 
 His seat of empire held, where his proud mosques 
 And minarets, in oriental pomp, 
 Obscurely rose. He, like the Beast, had dipped 
 His sword in blood : and now forever here 
 Mahomet and his dusky followers 
 Must battle without hope the quenchless fires. 
 
BOOK IV. 8 1 
 
 In the far south the camp of Israel spread, , 
 
 Their naked and forsaken tents deprived 
 
 Of the bright hallowed cloud which led them forth. 
 
 In days of old, from the Egyptian's land. 
 
 A lofty temple from a city rose, 
 
 No more illuminated by the light 
 
 Of God's own presence, but instead thereof 
 
 Was hung with whirling pillars of smoke, and fire. 
 
 The burning plains and cities of the west 
 Were portioned to the heathen gods, and all 
 Who oil the Earth despised religion's cause. 
 Great Babylon the fallen there displayed 
 Her hideous idols ; and the gods of Greece 
 Were brought to oj^en shame. Dark Mexicj — 
 Not the least lightened of the misled host — 
 Reared uj) her ugly deities, and strove 
 With foolish vanities of every age 
 And nation, for the prize of cruelty. 
 The devils that deceived them also shared 
 A place of habitation in their midst ; 
 But nevermore to work deception, bound 
 In chains of torment lasting as their death. 
 The quaint pagodas of the Budhist tribes 
 Rose from a thousand cities ; and the sparks 
 Of the loud-roaring lake passed over them, 
 
/u)OA' /r. 
 
 As when the angry billows of the sea 
 
 Dash up against a lighthouse tall and break 
 
 In spray aliove its top. Each temple's roof 
 
 Was hung with bells ; and they in discord strange. 
 
 Rung by the wind, sounded their dread alarms 
 
 Over the storm-swept waste. Ring on, wild bells 1 
 
 Your vain, inghjrious notes will ne'er be heard 
 
 Save by the spirits lost. Ye are to them 
 
 A solemn knell of death ; but never tones 
 
 Like those will reach the City blest of God. 
 
 These four divisions of the fallen host 
 Formed an enormous square ; and from its depth 
 The monster phantom of a Serpent rose, 
 Whose head majestic moved near the dark cloud, 
 7\nd whose keen -searching eye, full of unrest, 
 Found in that valley accurst no spot of peace. 
 His writhing coil attested endless pain 
 Cast on him from the lake — such place ordained 
 Eternal Justice as his prison dire. 
 
 Above the Serpent's head, with voice of thunder. 
 The sharp and glittering bayonets of the storm 
 Pierced the black-pillared clouds, and on their front 
 In forked letters wove the terrible word 
 Perdition. High in heaven it flamed, a sign 
 Of second death, and God's insulted law. 
 
^-^- 
 
 >-c 
 
BOOK IV. 8; 
 
 When Satan from his eminence l^eheld 
 This solemn scene, the consciousness of sin 
 And dread of coming judgment on his deeds 
 Rose up before him, Hke a tempest-cloud 
 Rushing above the sun and darkening all 
 Beneath it. Such a load of dull despair 
 Pressed on his soul, as would have crushed him quite. 
 Had he not sunnnoned all his courage firm 
 To withstand the growing weight. But, ah, how we;!k 
 Is spirit when at enmity with God ! 
 With all his strength he opposed the mightier Will 
 Which now decreed his fall ; until at last 
 The weight of condemnation on him pressed 
 With such enormous power, he yielded up 
 liis strength to Heaven, and gave a piercing cry 
 Of such unearthly bitterness, it rent , 
 The sacred air and dazed angelic choirs. 
 Perdition started back, and all her deeps 
 Echoed his wail of " Lost, forever lost ! " 
 
 The King of Darkness toppling from the Mount 
 All Heaven beheld ; and as with frightful speed 
 He'shot headlong far down the dread abyss. 
 The flaming bolts of wrath hurled after him 
 Played fast their lightnings round, and hurried on 
 
/iooA' /r. 87 
 
 His swift descent to Hell. The nations saw 
 His fall precipitate from the far Earth, 
 Conjecturing wide ; and with a guilty fear 
 The dwellers in Jerusalem, at night, 
 Beheld him as a comet stretched across 
 The western sky. Judea as a leaf 
 Trembled at naught, and started at the least 
 Faint whisper. In their superstitious dread 
 They heard already in the mountain tops 
 'I'he rush of many chariots ; trumpets blown 
 On all sides of their cities, threatening war ; 
 And, looking in each other's faces, read : 
 " His blood is on us, and our seed, for aye.'" 
 
 The vanquished Monarch crashing into Hell 
 Frightened that drear abode ; the dark angels fled 
 In diverse rout, expectant of more doom 
 (For Christ, ere he ascended, swept through Hell. 
 Led Death in chains, and laid their City waste) : 
 But tliat unerring Providence, which rules 
 Mysterious to our judgment, suffered not 
 The utter destruction of our greatest foe. 
 The Stygian lake received him with a hiss, 
 Where, stunned and motionless, l)ut not extinct. 
 He for a time was doomed to lie. .Vll Hell 
 Was horribly confounded, and no sound 
 Was heard through all the chambers of the deep. 
 
BOOK IV. 89 
 
 At once the warrior-angel Michael 
 Stood on Mount Sion with his company, 
 And to the symphony of their kindling harps 
 Exclaimed with loud voice : 
 
 " How awful are thy judgments. 
 Lord God Almighty 1 Thou that sittest throned, 
 And wrapped about with clouds that veil thy face, 
 Lest by its full light we perish ! Worlds upon world- 
 Like silver balls roll from thine outstretched palm 
 Into the boundless deep ; and thou dost mark 
 Them in their flight tremendous : and thine ear 
 Is bent, well pleased, and listens to their song. 
 Thou hearest the hum of voices and the march 
 Of growing millions on the wheeling spheres ; 
 Thou seest nations rise and fall and rise 
 In fast increasing power on the Earth : 
 Where still the clash and din of horrid war 
 Resounds— the war of Good against the Evil ; 
 The Good, how small an army ! and how vast 
 The legions of Apostasy ! But thou, 
 Unmoved upon thy bow-encircled throne, 
 Look'st down with dreadful calmness on the scene. 
 Expecting 1 As the ages roll away, 
 And justice, lingering, holds aloft her blade. 
 The swarms of Hell, grown bold and reckless, draw 
 
BOOK IV. «;i 
 
 Yet nearer thy throne, and hiss defiant threats, 
 Daring thy wrath I Simply the veil withdrawn 
 That shades thy face, the blind-struck demons ticc 
 In precipitate confusion and dismay. 
 High above all, unsearchable and dark, 
 The great eternal Purpo.se marches on 
 To victory, amid angelic songs." 
 
NOTE. 
 
 As the Ivric poems of the author (which were recited 
 >n several occasions) have been asked for in book form. 
 »ne of them will soon be published. 
 
 THE NEW CHRISTIAD. 
 
 Price $i.oo. 
 
 Will be mailed post-paid to any address on receipt ot 
 the above amount. Booksellers may obtain opies and 
 terms by addressing 
 
 I. B. COWDIN. 
 
 1 6 THIRD STREET, 
 
 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. 
 Eastern District. 
 
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