Messiah A Poem, in Twenty-Eight Books. By Joseph Cottle |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. | BOOK VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
 | Messiah |  |
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BOOK VI.
The Deluge.
Years roll along, the silent march of time
Unfolds strange scenes, and peoples every clime.
The world, so fair, once form'd for happiness,
Which God, the Common Father, form'd to bless,
Now violence o'erspreads. Remote, as near,
Hell's crimson banners, waving wide, appear!
Oppression, rapine, murder, lawless rage,
In hostile bands, more rancorous, still engage.
Injustice, drunk with blood, of giant form
Moves o'er the earth, more wasting than the storm.
Unfolds strange scenes, and peoples every clime.
The world, so fair, once form'd for happiness,
Which God, the Common Father, form'd to bless,
Now violence o'erspreads. Remote, as near,
Hell's crimson banners, waving wide, appear!
Oppression, rapine, murder, lawless rage,
In hostile bands, more rancorous, still engage.
Injustice, drunk with blood, of giant form
Moves o'er the earth, more wasting than the storm.
77
Messiah, tho' in love complete array'd,
Beholds the sight, and mourns that Man was made.
(The Sons of God, these are the titles vain
With which mankind their fellow worms profane,
Come down from their imagined eminence
And endless curses round the world dispense,
Their iron hearts unknown to penitence.)
He views, as boundless as the winter's snow,
Th' imperial empire, Satan rears below:
His watchful eye surveys the fetter strong
That binds the heart, perverted, still, to wrong,
And, long delaying, lifts at last the hand
Which sends destruction o'er a guilty land.
Beholds the sight, and mourns that Man was made.
(The Sons of God, these are the titles vain
With which mankind their fellow worms profane,
Come down from their imagined eminence
And endless curses round the world dispense,
Their iron hearts unknown to penitence.)
He views, as boundless as the winter's snow,
Th' imperial empire, Satan rears below:
His watchful eye surveys the fetter strong
That binds the heart, perverted, still, to wrong,
And, long delaying, lifts at last the hand
Which sends destruction o'er a guilty land.
Oh, spare! Supreme in pity, as in power,
Is there no spot beloved, no happy bower,
No temple, hope of Man's revolted climes,
Where worth retires to mourn o'er others crimes?
Is the whole race corrupted? Doth the stream
Of unmix'd evil flow, nor one redeem
The charge, so consummate in each offence,
Which brands the wide world with impenitence?
There is one dwelling, one abode divine,
On which the lingering sun delights to shine!
One altar, undefiled, still lifts its head
Where no strange fires unhallow'd incense spread;
There is one humble spot, one tent alone
Where God is worshipp'd, and his name is known!
Is there no spot beloved, no happy bower,
No temple, hope of Man's revolted climes,
Where worth retires to mourn o'er others crimes?
Is the whole race corrupted? Doth the stream
Of unmix'd evil flow, nor one redeem
The charge, so consummate in each offence,
Which brands the wide world with impenitence?
There is one dwelling, one abode divine,
On which the lingering sun delights to shine!
78
Where no strange fires unhallow'd incense spread;
There is one humble spot, one tent alone
Where God is worshipp'd, and his name is known!
Messiah, to the list'ning Angels round,
Thus spake. “Amid the mental night profound,
“This absence of all good, one heart remains,
“Still faithful, which hath spurn'd at Satan's chains!
“This witness earth may boast to stem the tide,
“Save whom, all hearts alike are turn'd aside!
“Their every thought is vain. From morn to night,
“They deeper plunge in evils infinite!
“I will destroy all flesh!” Thus having said,
To Noah's tent, an Angel fair! he sped.
Thus spake. “Amid the mental night profound,
“This absence of all good, one heart remains,
“Still faithful, which hath spurn'd at Satan's chains!
“This witness earth may boast to stem the tide,
“Save whom, all hearts alike are turn'd aside!
“Their every thought is vain. From morn to night,
“They deeper plunge in evils infinite!
“I will destroy all flesh!” Thus having said,
To Noah's tent, an Angel fair! he sped.
The Patriārch the day retiring saw,
And, round his altar, now, with solemn awe,
Children beside, in holy musings, stands;
Whilst, as the offering burns, his aged hands
He raises, and implores, chief good below!
The blessings which from God their fountain flow.
This service o'er, and, in the Almighty's name
Confiding, (shield and buckler, still the same!)
Beneath the tree he waits, that shades his door,
To mark the sun decline, and heaven adore.
Raising his eye, in the ecstatic trance,
He views an Angel! toward his tent advance!
Thus spake the Seraph Form.
And, round his altar, now, with solemn awe,
Children beside, in holy musings, stands;
Whilst, as the offering burns, his aged hands
He raises, and implores, chief good below!
The blessings which from God their fountain flow.
This service o'er, and, in the Almighty's name
Confiding, (shield and buckler, still the same!)
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To mark the sun decline, and heaven adore.
Raising his eye, in the ecstatic trance,
He views an Angel! toward his tent advance!
Thus spake the Seraph Form.
“'Mid evil days,
“I hear thy morning prayer, thy evening praise.
“My spirit shall not always strive with man!
“I come, the Garner of the World, to fan!
“Tho' long enduring, and to anger slow,
“There is an hour when love shall cease to flow:
“That hour is come! Behold, in dread array,
“I wake, in wrath, to scatter round dismay.
“The winds of heaven, conflicting, loud shall sound!
“The waters of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The rains augment th' unutterable roar,
“While deluged earth shall sink to rise no more!
“Thou hast found favour! Thou and thine secure,
“(Amid degenerate man, the only pure)
“Shall yet survive, while vengeance round is hurl'd,
“And sing deliverance o'er a fallen world.
“Arise! Prepare the Ark! Around, proclaim—
“Repentance! Haply some may own their shame,
“And turn again, contrition in their eye,
“With grief o'erwhelm'd, to seek my clemency.
“Preacher of Righteousness! Go forth and strive!
“All who regard thy voice shall yet survive,
“But if they scorn thy words, thy threats despise,
“Their sun of joy shall set, no more to rise!”
Noah look'd up the reverence deep to pay,
When, lo! the Angel Form had past away!
“I hear thy morning prayer, thy evening praise.
“My spirit shall not always strive with man!
“I come, the Garner of the World, to fan!
“Tho' long enduring, and to anger slow,
“There is an hour when love shall cease to flow:
“That hour is come! Behold, in dread array,
“I wake, in wrath, to scatter round dismay.
“The winds of heaven, conflicting, loud shall sound!
“The waters of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The rains augment th' unutterable roar,
“While deluged earth shall sink to rise no more!
“Thou hast found favour! Thou and thine secure,
“(Amid degenerate man, the only pure)
“Shall yet survive, while vengeance round is hurl'd,
“And sing deliverance o'er a fallen world.
“Arise! Prepare the Ark! Around, proclaim—
“Repentance! Haply some may own their shame,
“And turn again, contrition in their eye,
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“Preacher of Righteousness! Go forth and strive!
“All who regard thy voice shall yet survive,
“But if they scorn thy words, thy threats despise,
“Their sun of joy shall set, no more to rise!”
Noah look'd up the reverence deep to pay,
When, lo! the Angel Form had past away!
Amid a thousand kings of high renown,
Whose faintest breath was law, and fate their frown.
One, 'bove the rest, the King of Spoils! arose,
Fear'd, scorn'd of all, whose very friends were foes.
His heralds, who, th' imperious mandate, bore,
None ever hail'd, none saw but to deplore!
Blood track'd his path, while vengeance stalk'd before.
A Son arose, more fiend-like than the Sire,
Who, in the whirl, th' intemperate gust of ire,
(Scorning, of heaven, or earth, controul, or fear)
Plung'd in his father's heart the murderous spear!
Whose faintest breath was law, and fate their frown.
One, 'bove the rest, the King of Spoils! arose,
Fear'd, scorn'd of all, whose very friends were foes.
His heralds, who, th' imperious mandate, bore,
None ever hail'd, none saw but to deplore!
Blood track'd his path, while vengeance stalk'd before.
A Son arose, more fiend-like than the Sire,
Who, in the whirl, th' intemperate gust of ire,
(Scorning, of heaven, or earth, controul, or fear)
Plung'd in his father's heart the murderous spear!
The Parricide the summons sends around
For all earth's mightiest kings, in war renown'd,
Upon th' appointed hour, to speed their way
Homage, to some New God, and Great, to pay!
For all earth's mightiest kings, in war renown'd,
Upon th' appointed hour, to speed their way
Homage, to some New God, and Great, to pay!
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The tidings spread, and, at th' appointed hour,
The world's supremest names for pomp and power,
Assemble round their Prince to bend the knee,
Adoring, to the Strange Divinity.
The morn is come, ten-thousand chariots proud,
Bearing their lords, to rear the altar, crowd.
The waving plumes, the trappings gold-o'ercast,
The cornet's flourish, and the trumpet's blast;
The diamond-sparkling crest, the proud display
Of gorgeous banners, in august array;
The multitude of gazers, crowding still
The distant tower, the dim-discover'd hill,
All join, to swell the pomp, when, first, the eye
Might see the smoke to Moloch mount the sky!
The world's supremest names for pomp and power,
Assemble round their Prince to bend the knee,
Adoring, to the Strange Divinity.
The morn is come, ten-thousand chariots proud,
Bearing their lords, to rear the altar, crowd.
The waving plumes, the trappings gold-o'ercast,
The cornet's flourish, and the trumpet's blast;
The diamond-sparkling crest, the proud display
Of gorgeous banners, in august array;
The multitude of gazers, crowding still
The distant tower, the dim-discover'd hill,
All join, to swell the pomp, when, first, the eye
Might see the smoke to Moloch mount the sky!
The Altar now is rear'd! The fire is near!
The wood is piled! The idol priests appear!
Earth's proudest monarchs bend in awful state,
And, for the bursting flame, impatient wait!
Fearless of man, in faith, in virtue strong,
Majestic as a spirit, from the throng
A hoary Sire drew near, and dauntless spake.
“Stop the rash deed! From dreams, from death a wake!
“There is one God alone! Behold his car!
“Yon flaming sun that darts his beams afar,
“In whom you live and move and whose you are!”
Grasping his spear, th' infuriate Parricide,
With eye of fire, toward Noah rush'd and cried,
“Presumptuous Man! while hosts the requiem raise,
“Thou shalt, the first, on yon proud altar blaze!”
He said, amid the burst of Moloch's name,
And urged the patient victim, to the flame—
Just rising, which ten-thousand shouts proclaim.
That moment, from the heavens, with crashing sound,
The lightning blasts the altar to the ground!
The smoke expires! And, 'mid untold dismay,
The whirlwind bears the Patriarch away!
The wood is piled! The idol priests appear!
Earth's proudest monarchs bend in awful state,
And, for the bursting flame, impatient wait!
Fearless of man, in faith, in virtue strong,
Majestic as a spirit, from the throng
A hoary Sire drew near, and dauntless spake.
“Stop the rash deed! From dreams, from death a wake!
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“Yon flaming sun that darts his beams afar,
“In whom you live and move and whose you are!”
Grasping his spear, th' infuriate Parricide,
With eye of fire, toward Noah rush'd and cried,
“Presumptuous Man! while hosts the requiem raise,
“Thou shalt, the first, on yon proud altar blaze!”
He said, amid the burst of Moloch's name,
And urged the patient victim, to the flame—
Just rising, which ten-thousand shouts proclaim.
That moment, from the heavens, with crashing sound,
The lightning blasts the altar to the ground!
The smoke expires! And, 'mid untold dismay,
The whirlwind bears the Patriarch away!
Messiah's voice still sounds in Noah's ear,
“Prepare the Ark!” Stranger to mortal fear,
Whilst scoffing gazers, on his footsteps, crowd,
Daring Jehovah's might, with spirit proud,
He fells the Gopher Trees, that round him rise;
Obedient to the warning from the skies,
With patient toil he marks his work arise.
The hundredth year is past, and still in vain
The Patriarch preaches truth, still mourns the chain
With which the powers of darkness bind mankind,
To wisdom's voice and beauty, deaf and blind.
“Prepare the Ark!” Stranger to mortal fear,
Whilst scoffing gazers, on his footsteps, crowd,
Daring Jehovah's might, with spirit proud,
He fells the Gopher Trees, that round him rise;
Obedient to the warning from the skies,
With patient toil he marks his work arise.
The hundredth year is past, and still in vain
The Patriarch preaches truth, still mourns the chain
83
To wisdom's voice and beauty, deaf and blind.
The day is come. The Ark complete appears,
Mourning o'er man, Noah the summons hears,
“Go forth and warn th' impenitent, and cry—
“Flee from the wrath to come!” With streaming eye
He heard the voice, and, offering up the prayer,
Exclaim'd, “Oh! God! a world of sinners spare!”
The Angel spake, “My patience now is o'er!
“Men, prone to evil, trespass more and more!
“Judgment must wake! To sinners haste and cry,
“The day of wrath is come! Distress is nigh!
“Unutterable anguish! Ruin wide!
“Destruction, that moves on with giant stride!
“Turn to the God that made you, and repent!
“Or, in seven days the wrathful firmament
“Shall pour its stores of fury, raging round!
“The fountains of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The tempests deluge earth! the floods arise!
“Th' imperious winds, conflicting, shake the skies!
“The thunders, heaven's distemper'd concave rend!
“And every living thing to death descend!”
Noah, obedient, bow'd his reverend head,
And as he bow'd—the Angel Spirit fled!
Mourning o'er man, Noah the summons hears,
“Go forth and warn th' impenitent, and cry—
“Flee from the wrath to come!” With streaming eye
He heard the voice, and, offering up the prayer,
Exclaim'd, “Oh! God! a world of sinners spare!”
The Angel spake, “My patience now is o'er!
“Men, prone to evil, trespass more and more!
“Judgment must wake! To sinners haste and cry,
“The day of wrath is come! Distress is nigh!
“Unutterable anguish! Ruin wide!
“Destruction, that moves on with giant stride!
“Turn to the God that made you, and repent!
“Or, in seven days the wrathful firmament
“Shall pour its stores of fury, raging round!
“The fountains of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The tempests deluge earth! the floods arise!
“Th' imperious winds, conflicting, shake the skies!
“The thunders, heaven's distemper'd concave rend!
“And every living thing to death descend!”
84
And as he bow'd—the Angel Spirit fled!
The Parricidial King, from distant lands,
Had now, in pomp, return'd, with reeking hands,
Leaving whole regions, in the hour of dread,
Wasted, with dearth and barrenness o'erspread.
A hundred kings, who drag their clanking chains,
Confess that one o'er earth, unrivall'd reigns,
And, following in his train, 'mid shame and scorn,
Conflicting, mourn the day that they were born!
The mighty King, exulting in his sway,
Proclaims, in solemn state, the festal day,
Which dooms his scepter'd captives, offering high!
To perish on the pile, which, to the sky,
Was rais'd to Ashtaroth!
Had now, in pomp, return'd, with reeking hands,
Leaving whole regions, in the hour of dread,
Wasted, with dearth and barrenness o'erspread.
A hundred kings, who drag their clanking chains,
Confess that one o'er earth, unrivall'd reigns,
And, following in his train, 'mid shame and scorn,
Conflicting, mourn the day that they were born!
The mighty King, exulting in his sway,
Proclaims, in solemn state, the festal day,
Which dooms his scepter'd captives, offering high!
To perish on the pile, which, to the sky,
Was rais'd to Ashtaroth!
The day arrives!
The wretched captives wait to yield their lives!
And now the bald and impious priests advance,
With music, and the soul-seducing dance,
Whilst gazers, countless as the stars, await,
To see their Prince his vengeance consummate!
The wretched captives wait to yield their lives!
And now the bald and impious priests advance,
With music, and the soul-seducing dance,
Whilst gazers, countless as the stars, await,
To see their Prince his vengeance consummate!
85
Noah, amid the busy scene, draws nigh,
With look of more than mortal majesty!
And whilst mysterious thoughts their spirits fill
The frantic ranks, at his approach, are still,
And, open to their king, their joyance gone,
The path thro' which he dauntless passes on!
Before the wondering King, behold him, cry—
“The day of wrath is come! Distress is nigh!
“Unutterable anguish! Ruin wide!
“Destruction that moves on with giant stride!
“Turn to the God that made you, and repent,
“Or, in seven days, the wrathful firmament
“Shall pour its stores of fury, raging round!
“The fountains of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The tempests deluge earth! The floods arise!
“Th' imperious winds, conflicting, shake the skies!
“The thunders, heaven's distemper'd concave, rend!
“And every living thing to death descend!”
With look of more than mortal majesty!
And whilst mysterious thoughts their spirits fill
The frantic ranks, at his approach, are still,
And, open to their king, their joyance gone,
The path thro' which he dauntless passes on!
Before the wondering King, behold him, cry—
“The day of wrath is come! Distress is nigh!
“Unutterable anguish! Ruin wide!
“Destruction that moves on with giant stride!
“Turn to the God that made you, and repent,
“Or, in seven days, the wrathful firmament
“Shall pour its stores of fury, raging round!
“The fountains of the deep shall burst their bound!
“The tempests deluge earth! The floods arise!
“Th' imperious winds, conflicting, shake the skies!
“The thunders, heaven's distemper'd concave, rend!
“And every living thing to death descend!”
“And who art thou?” th' indignant King exclaims,
“And who the Lord, thy daring breath proclaims?
“Unnumber'd Gods thro' earth dominion own,
“Yet two, I stoop to dread; to these alone
“I yield obedience, as might well beseem,
“Moloch and Ashtaroth, of power supreme!
“Hence! To the King of Heaven bend thou thy knee!
“I scorn thy threats! alike thy God and thee!”
“And who the Lord, thy daring breath proclaims?
“Unnumber'd Gods thro' earth dominion own,
“Yet two, I stoop to dread; to these alone
“I yield obedience, as might well beseem,
86
“Hence! To the King of Heaven bend thou thy knee!
“I scorn thy threats! alike thy God and thee!”
The Patriarch, his eye with sorrow blind,
Look'd to the earth, and mourn'd for human kind:
Charging his spirit with the prophet's zeal,
He turn'd and spake. “Yours is the heart of steel!
“I bring the warning voice, from wrath to fly!
“I bid you live, but you would rather die!
“Behold! before yon shadowy moon shall wane,
“The heaven's shall pour their fearful floods of rain!
“Your Maker, pity, from his heart, efface,
“And whelm, in ruin wide, Man's impious race!”
Thus saying, as relax'd his brow severe,
Smiting his breast, he turn'd, and dropt the tear!
Look'd to the earth, and mourn'd for human kind:
Charging his spirit with the prophet's zeal,
He turn'd and spake. “Yours is the heart of steel!
“I bring the warning voice, from wrath to fly!
“I bid you live, but you would rather die!
“Behold! before yon shadowy moon shall wane,
“The heaven's shall pour their fearful floods of rain!
“Your Maker, pity, from his heart, efface,
“And whelm, in ruin wide, Man's impious race!”
Thus saying, as relax'd his brow severe,
Smiting his breast, he turn'd, and dropt the tear!
Lo! to the Parricide, while hosts surround,
Chanting the impious song, with garlands crown'd,
Th' Arch-Priest advances, and aloud began.
“Oh! King! Destruction must o'erwhelm that man!
“Noah! the Sorcerer! He, thro' mountains, sees,
“Searching unlawful things, and mysteries,
“Whose lowering soul, with serpent venom swells,
“And in his death, alone, our safety dwells!
“Aided by fiends, that o'er the storm preside,
“This fearful being, at his will, can ride,
“Now on the sun-beam, now the whirlwind stride!
“Spirits malign, with him have leagued, and he,
“Uncurs'd, unslain, will vanquish us and thee!
“Behold yon mighty Ark, of form unknown!
“This work from hellish powers proceeds alone!
“We tremble for ourselves, and for thy throne!”
Enraged, the King exclaim'd. “The guilty seize!
“We will thy fears allay! thy wrath appease!
“Thou, with deep-uttter'd curse, and potent charm,
“First, shalt assault, and him, of strength, disarm;
“Then, fear no sudden and up-bursting doom;
“The midnight torch shall in one hour consume
“Yon Ark, and be the Sorcerer's blazing tomb!”
Chanting the impious song, with garlands crown'd,
Th' Arch-Priest advances, and aloud began.
“Oh! King! Destruction must o'erwhelm that man!
“Noah! the Sorcerer! He, thro' mountains, sees,
“Searching unlawful things, and mysteries,
“Whose lowering soul, with serpent venom swells,
87
“Aided by fiends, that o'er the storm preside,
“This fearful being, at his will, can ride,
“Now on the sun-beam, now the whirlwind stride!
“Spirits malign, with him have leagued, and he,
“Uncurs'd, unslain, will vanquish us and thee!
“Behold yon mighty Ark, of form unknown!
“This work from hellish powers proceeds alone!
“We tremble for ourselves, and for thy throne!”
Enraged, the King exclaim'd. “The guilty seize!
“We will thy fears allay! thy wrath appease!
“Thou, with deep-uttter'd curse, and potent charm,
“First, shalt assault, and him, of strength, disarm;
“Then, fear no sudden and up-bursting doom;
“The midnight torch shall in one hour consume
“Yon Ark, and be the Sorcerer's blazing tomb!”
The Man of God, who harm to none hath done,
Watch'd, with still awe, the slow-declining sun.
Now, at the evening hour, that comfort brings,
Beside his hearth, he talk'd of heavenly things,
And, with his offspring round, look'd up, and cried,
“From righteousness, all flesh hath turn'd aside,
“Death hastens, but for us will Heaven provide.”
The impious Priest bursts in! With scowl austere!
He first upbraids, then threats, a concourse near,
And with a fury's wrath, and lion's power,
Bears him, to perish, in the midnight hour,
E'en in the Ark he rear'd! His sons, in rage,
Seize the first staff th' unequal war to wage!
The Mother, rising, in wild terror said,
(As from his tent, serene, her lord was led)
“Forbear, my Sons! You err! In patience wait!
“Deliverance yet may come, for God is great!”
Watch'd, with still awe, the slow-declining sun.
Now, at the evening hour, that comfort brings,
Beside his hearth, he talk'd of heavenly things,
And, with his offspring round, look'd up, and cried,
“From righteousness, all flesh hath turn'd aside,
“Death hastens, but for us will Heaven provide.”
88
He first upbraids, then threats, a concourse near,
And with a fury's wrath, and lion's power,
Bears him, to perish, in the midnight hour,
E'en in the Ark he rear'd! His sons, in rage,
Seize the first staff th' unequal war to wage!
The Mother, rising, in wild terror said,
(As from his tent, serene, her lord was led)
“Forbear, my Sons! You err! In patience wait!
“Deliverance yet may come, for God is great!”
The sun, in all his pomp, hath left the sky,
The evening shades advance, the hour is nigh!
A thousand torches, blazing thro' the air,
To Noah calm in faith, the tidings bear,
As in the Ark he stands devoted there!
He sees the distant blaze approaching! hears
Shout, following shout! Ah! now the host appears;
Still on they haste! He marks their threat'nings dread;
He looks to heaven, and all his fears are fled!
An earthquakerocks the ground! The King exclaim'd,
“These are the Sorcerer's arts, to rage enflamed!
“Press on! and, heedless of all powers that be,
“Waste! Slay! Confirm the high supremacy
“Of Gods, to whom we call, and bend the knee!”
The evening shades advance, the hour is nigh!
A thousand torches, blazing thro' the air,
To Noah calm in faith, the tidings bear,
As in the Ark he stands devoted there!
He sees the distant blaze approaching! hears
Shout, following shout! Ah! now the host appears;
Still on they haste! He marks their threat'nings dread;
He looks to heaven, and all his fears are fled!
An earthquakerocks the ground! The King exclaim'd,
“These are the Sorcerer's arts, to rage enflamed!
“Press on! and, heedless of all powers that be,
“Waste! Slay! Confirm the high supremacy
“Of Gods, to whom we call, and bend the knee!”
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Th' Arch-Priest alone advanced. Before he spake,
Waving his wand, the magic thread he brake,
Then scatter'd baneful herbs, and utter'd, slow,
Charms, and dread incantations, working woe.
When, thus he cried. “Spirits! that hither stray,
“Oh! hear the curse that warns you far away!
“Whether ye dwell amid the twilight grey,
“Or in the cloud of night, or by the side
“Of some vext cataract's loud-roaring tide,
“Amid huge mountain, or, in cavern rude,
“Or 'neath the ocean's deep, dark solitude,
“In water, or in fire, in earth, or air,
“I curse you! and again the curse declare!
“Our Ashtaroth shall crush your lofty tower!
“Moloch in vengeance drest, shall spurn your power,
“Remphan and Baal-peor you devour,
“And we will shout your downfall, ere an hour!”
(Signal for all, with demon-like acclaim,
Forward to rush, and clothe the sky in flame.)
He placed his blazing torch beneath the Ark!
Instant, a meteor, bursting thro' the dark,
Explodes, in pomp of glory, o'er his head!
Behold! The brand is quench'd! The Priest is dead!
'Mid terrible dismay, and frantic fear,
The heavens, to fury wrought, o'erwhelm the ear!
“Flee!” cried the King. “Perdition sweeps our land!”
Each cast the torch, distracted, from his hand,
And, thro' the night, whilst thunders now prevail,
And lightnings, seeks his home, with panic pale,
Never again the Righteous to assail!
Waving his wand, the magic thread he brake,
Then scatter'd baneful herbs, and utter'd, slow,
Charms, and dread incantations, working woe.
When, thus he cried. “Spirits! that hither stray,
“Oh! hear the curse that warns you far away!
“Whether ye dwell amid the twilight grey,
“Or in the cloud of night, or by the side
“Of some vext cataract's loud-roaring tide,
“Amid huge mountain, or, in cavern rude,
“Or 'neath the ocean's deep, dark solitude,
“In water, or in fire, in earth, or air,
“I curse you! and again the curse declare!
“Our Ashtaroth shall crush your lofty tower!
“Moloch in vengeance drest, shall spurn your power,
“Remphan and Baal-peor you devour,
“And we will shout your downfall, ere an hour!”
(Signal for all, with demon-like acclaim,
Forward to rush, and clothe the sky in flame.)
He placed his blazing torch beneath the Ark!
Instant, a meteor, bursting thro' the dark,
Explodes, in pomp of glory, o'er his head!
Behold! The brand is quench'd! The Priest is dead!
'Mid terrible dismay, and frantic fear,
90
“Flee!” cried the King. “Perdition sweeps our land!”
Each cast the torch, distracted, from his hand,
And, thro' the night, whilst thunders now prevail,
And lightnings, seeks his home, with panic pale,
Never again the Righteous to assail!
The Ark, completed by divine command,
Now sends its broad shade o'er the subject land;
And now the hour is come for faith to rise,
Clear as the noon, and stedfast as the skies.
Noah, his Sons, their Wives, their Children fair,
Approach the Ark, and kneeling pour the prayer,
Unaw'd by scoffers. With their God in view,
On Man, they think not, but their words pursue,
His smile imploring, which alone can cheer,
Amid the storm of death, fast drawing near!
Now sends its broad shade o'er the subject land;
And now the hour is come for faith to rise,
Clear as the noon, and stedfast as the skies.
Noah, his Sons, their Wives, their Children fair,
Approach the Ark, and kneeling pour the prayer,
Unaw'd by scoffers. With their God in view,
On Man, they think not, but their words pursue,
His smile imploring, which alone can cheer,
Amid the storm of death, fast drawing near!
He who hath given the raging sea its bound,
Who first, from nothing, call'd the world around,
Who fix'd wide nature's ordinance, refined,
Yet never made the law, himself, to bind
On some, of all that lives, exerts his power,
Unfailing, when, at the appointed hour,
Self, to preserve, extends mysteriously
O'er pairs, of every class, and each degree,
And, to this refuge, such, instinctive, flee,
Opprest with fear, and, by heaven's impulse, shewn,
That here protection is, and here alone.
At first, the creeping things toward Noah come,
And find within the Ark a quiet home!
The birds the same pervading law obey!
Harmless, the beasts advance, in long array,
(Transform'd their natures, as, when Eden smiled,
And call'd the wolf, the bear, her peaceful child.)
And now, whilst busy Angels watch around,
And Hell feels terror to her utmost bound,
Noah, his house, all faithful, enter in,
And close the door against a World of Sin!
Once more their eyes, in solemn awe they raise,
Noah, once more, the spirit's offering pays,
Whilst, 'mid the prayer, sweet incense! from without
Scorn lifts his voice, and rude blasphemers shout!
Who first, from nothing, call'd the world around,
Who fix'd wide nature's ordinance, refined,
Yet never made the law, himself, to bind
On some, of all that lives, exerts his power,
Unfailing, when, at the appointed hour,
91
O'er pairs, of every class, and each degree,
And, to this refuge, such, instinctive, flee,
Opprest with fear, and, by heaven's impulse, shewn,
That here protection is, and here alone.
At first, the creeping things toward Noah come,
And find within the Ark a quiet home!
The birds the same pervading law obey!
Harmless, the beasts advance, in long array,
(Transform'd their natures, as, when Eden smiled,
And call'd the wolf, the bear, her peaceful child.)
And now, whilst busy Angels watch around,
And Hell feels terror to her utmost bound,
Noah, his house, all faithful, enter in,
And close the door against a World of Sin!
Once more their eyes, in solemn awe they raise,
Noah, once more, the spirit's offering pays,
Whilst, 'mid the prayer, sweet incense! from without
Scorn lifts his voice, and rude blasphemers shout!
The hundred Kings have perish'd on the pile,
Whilst feasts succeed, with dance and orgies vile:
The Revellers, at death and danger, smile!
Ah! in the midst, is seen, an unknown light!
Red clouds arise! A silence, deep as night,
Reigns thro' heaven's canopy! while, far and near,
The birds, on wildest wing, betray their fear!
Now, the portentous pause hath ceas'd to reign!
The northern clouds burst on, in threat'ning train!
Heaven's flood-gates cast their torrents from the sky!
And loud is heard the wind's shrill harmony!
The wine of Ashtaroth no longer cheers,
Each leaves the banquet, thoughtful, each appears,
And, on the gathering storm, more dark, more dread,
Gazes, perplex'd, and, silent, shakes his head!
The eve comes on in ten-fold gloom array'd!
And, now, amid the heart-appalling shade,
Lightnings, in eminence of forked fire,
Burst furious on, and back to night retire!
Ah! what stupendous thunders shake the air!
And what fresh bursts of long-enduring glare!
Where is the firm, the proud disdainful brow!
Where is the lofty look, the boaster, now!
While the dread scenes the stoutest hearts appal,
In vain on Ashtaroth aloud they call!
Moloch their prayer regards not! Louder still,
Tempests, the air, with unseen terrors, fill!
The forests, crashing, yield at last their reign!
The storm-rent mountains, rolling to the plain,
Swell the vast uproar, whilst the earth below,
Trembling, augments the unimagin'd woe!
No voice is heard from man; aghast he stands,
Starting at every sound, with graspēd hands!
And waiting for the morn her beam to shed
Tho' fearing fiercer woes, and deeper dread!
What startling horrors now their breasts invade!
The morning comes, in darkness still array'd!
Night hath its bounds, but morn, so dim and drear,
Gives to the shuddering heart intenser fear!
Ah! now the struggling twilight, finds its way
Thro' warring mists that bar distracted day!
The monarch from his slave no pity shares,
'Tis Man that suffers, Man his burden bears!
All sympathy, disdainful, far is thrown,
Where each deliverance seeks for one alone!
Whilst feasts succeed, with dance and orgies vile:
The Revellers, at death and danger, smile!
Ah! in the midst, is seen, an unknown light!
92
Reigns thro' heaven's canopy! while, far and near,
The birds, on wildest wing, betray their fear!
Now, the portentous pause hath ceas'd to reign!
The northern clouds burst on, in threat'ning train!
Heaven's flood-gates cast their torrents from the sky!
And loud is heard the wind's shrill harmony!
The wine of Ashtaroth no longer cheers,
Each leaves the banquet, thoughtful, each appears,
And, on the gathering storm, more dark, more dread,
Gazes, perplex'd, and, silent, shakes his head!
The eve comes on in ten-fold gloom array'd!
And, now, amid the heart-appalling shade,
Lightnings, in eminence of forked fire,
Burst furious on, and back to night retire!
Ah! what stupendous thunders shake the air!
And what fresh bursts of long-enduring glare!
Where is the firm, the proud disdainful brow!
Where is the lofty look, the boaster, now!
While the dread scenes the stoutest hearts appal,
In vain on Ashtaroth aloud they call!
Moloch their prayer regards not! Louder still,
Tempests, the air, with unseen terrors, fill!
The forests, crashing, yield at last their reign!
93
Swell the vast uproar, whilst the earth below,
Trembling, augments the unimagin'd woe!
No voice is heard from man; aghast he stands,
Starting at every sound, with graspēd hands!
And waiting for the morn her beam to shed
Tho' fearing fiercer woes, and deeper dread!
What startling horrors now their breasts invade!
The morning comes, in darkness still array'd!
Night hath its bounds, but morn, so dim and drear,
Gives to the shuddering heart intenser fear!
Ah! now the struggling twilight, finds its way
Thro' warring mists that bar distracted day!
The monarch from his slave no pity shares,
'Tis Man that suffers, Man his burden bears!
All sympathy, disdainful, far is thrown,
Where each deliverance seeks for one alone!
The storm still waxes higher. Amid the sky,
Thunders still roll, and lightnings fiercer fly!
Torrents, augmenting, thro' the valleys pour!
The clouds, on deluged earth, exhaust their store!
The new-born rivers rise, and bear away
Spoils, heap'd on spoils, with a resistless sway!
The waters fast increase! Another night
Now spreads, opprest with terrors infinite!
Another morn arrives! The distant sea,
Bursts its weak bounds, and, from dominion free,
With lawless rage rolls on th' impetuous wave,
Sweeping whole nations to their watery grave!
Ah! now, too late, the lofty Sons of Earth,
Confounded, mourn the moment of their birth!
Hosts, to the hills, for safety vain, have fled,
Soul-agoniz'd, opprest with speechless dread!
Striving to gain the pinnacle on high,
With furious fear, or, with the ghastly eye,
Their spirits quench'd! despairing! refuge o'er!
Gazing on billows huge that round them roar.
Thunders still roll, and lightnings fiercer fly!
Torrents, augmenting, thro' the valleys pour!
The clouds, on deluged earth, exhaust their store!
The new-born rivers rise, and bear away
Spoils, heap'd on spoils, with a resistless sway!
94
Now spreads, opprest with terrors infinite!
Another morn arrives! The distant sea,
Bursts its weak bounds, and, from dominion free,
With lawless rage rolls on th' impetuous wave,
Sweeping whole nations to their watery grave!
Ah! now, too late, the lofty Sons of Earth,
Confounded, mourn the moment of their birth!
Hosts, to the hills, for safety vain, have fled,
Soul-agoniz'd, opprest with speechless dread!
Striving to gain the pinnacle on high,
With furious fear, or, with the ghastly eye,
Their spirits quench'd! despairing! refuge o'er!
Gazing on billows huge that round them roar.
Like isles, emerging from the troubled sea,
The mountains rise, stripp'd of their majesty,
Around whose base, and up whose craggy side,
Conflicting waves advance, with rapid stride!
The rains augment in fury, as in form,
And fiercer far, and blacker still the storm!
Ah! impious race! your scoffing day is past!
Vengeance, so long defied, arrives at last!
Earth casts you forth! Your very breath defiles,
Whilst Mercy, changed of nature, views and smiles!
The Patriarch's words, which late you heard to scorn,
Sound in your ear, and swell the pang forlorn!
Now you behold him, as the storms descend,
Safe in the Ark of Faith, with God his friend,
And to partake his refuge, in this hour,
Would barter, baubles vain! earth's pomp and power!
Too late the warning voice conviction brings,
Your outraged conscience, like the scorpion stings!
Too late you mourn o'er hell's destructive sway
While the last hope, long cherish'd, dies away!
Hold faster, still, the mountain's rugged side!
Climb higher, from the onward-rolling tide!
Force some more wretched being from his stand!
And lift, for safety brief, weak, murderous hand!
Fiercer the waves advance! Ah! now they sweep
The last of mortals to the raging deep!
The mountains rise, stripp'd of their majesty,
Around whose base, and up whose craggy side,
Conflicting waves advance, with rapid stride!
The rains augment in fury, as in form,
And fiercer far, and blacker still the storm!
Ah! impious race! your scoffing day is past!
Vengeance, so long defied, arrives at last!
Earth casts you forth! Your very breath defiles,
95
The Patriarch's words, which late you heard to scorn,
Sound in your ear, and swell the pang forlorn!
Now you behold him, as the storms descend,
Safe in the Ark of Faith, with God his friend,
And to partake his refuge, in this hour,
Would barter, baubles vain! earth's pomp and power!
Too late the warning voice conviction brings,
Your outraged conscience, like the scorpion stings!
Too late you mourn o'er hell's destructive sway
While the last hope, long cherish'd, dies away!
Hold faster, still, the mountain's rugged side!
Climb higher, from the onward-rolling tide!
Force some more wretched being from his stand!
And lift, for safety brief, weak, murderous hand!
Fiercer the waves advance! Ah! now they sweep
The last of mortals to the raging deep!
| Messiah | |