University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—Part of a Forest.
Enter Jairah.
Jai.
Methought but now I marked the bright Unknown
Pass o'er this path—with measured steps and lone—
His neighbouring presence makes the seas of soul
Surely in boundless brightness smoothened roll!—
'Tis even so!—In chastened glory now,
See!—he approaches with benignant brow!—

Enter the Unknown Spirit.
Unknown Spirit.
Hail!—mortal!—Peace be with thee! fear thou not!
Nought evil comes near this now hallowed spot!—

Jai.
An evil power hath walk'd with me of late—
Thou know'st it!—thou know'st all!—thou good and great!
But none know thee!—Oh! tell me what thou art,
So from disquietudes shall cease this heart.

Unknown Spi.
I am of those who wish all good to man,
Ev'n now while suffering under brand and ban.
Enquire not further—let thus much suffice—
Nor curious be, nor scrupulously nice—
I am of those who, wishing mercy still
For humankind—but serve their Maker's will.
How did the Other speak with thee?—and say—
Did he much strive to win thee from the way!

Jai.
He spoke of horror still and hideous doom,
And far into my soul cast his dread gloom!
Threatenings and thunderings of despair he spoke,—
His neck is wounded sore by the awful yoke!—
And dost thou ne'er behold him, when abroad,
He chooseth thus at will—unchecked—his road?—

Unknown Spi.
Nay—I have seen him not since that great hour
When he succumbed before the Eternal Power,
That mightiest moment of his blank defeat—
When Dread with Dread seemed endlessly to meet—
That moment of tremendous wrath untold,
Whose terrors lips nor language could unfold!
That moment—Memory's self may ne'er rehearse!—
When Boundless Godhead—was the Universe!—
Since—deadened—stunned—by wonder's tranced excess—
Checked through the amazement's hushed unconsciousness,
Crushed down by the all-annihilating Awe,
Nor Spirits free nor fall'n—felt—heard—or saw!—
Whole systems writhed—flashed—and were not!—as flames
Sway'd by fierce winds—extinguished like spent aims—
Duration checked itself—the eternity—
Appeared to have surceased—as nought might be!
The Eternity—the Eternity—stood still!—
And nought survived but Him—the Word—the Will—
Space and the extension seemed collapsed—and all—
More than participating in that Fall!—
Then—as there was Beginning—sprang and rose
Mysteries of glory—speech might ne'er disclose!—
Aye!—as there was Beginning!—for new-born
Those myriads seemed—as 'twere creation's morn!—
Snatched from the jaws of that Obstruction's Death—
When the Infinite forgot all living breath!—
Caught from the depths of that Oblivion's Doom,
Which made the Illimitable yawn—one tomb!—
Still when arose quick thought and life again,
Resuming then their interrupted reign,
One thought—one Thought of God arose alone—
Still the Universe—was the Universe's Throne!—
There, the great Love,—th' Awe,—Hope—th' Amazement flowed—
Creation thrilled—One Consciousness of God!
Then burst the hosts and hierarchies of heaven,
(To whose armed hand the victory's might was given,)
Into the enraptured strength of joy's full strain,
The hallelujatick songs broke forth again!—
Wide waved the emblazoned banners of their pride,
The enzodiacked swords flashed, sheathless, at their side,
Since like effulgent zodiacks shivering beamed
Their glittering bauldricks—that far-flaming gleamed,
While at their shoulders shone transcendent things
Their golden Harps—their quivered War—their Wings!—
Such splendour round them shedding with such sway,
That suns were spots of darkness on their day!
As they and all their pride of glory's light—
Were—on the Shadow of the Bright of Bright!

[To be continued.]