University of Virginia Library

“So Moses, little dreaming what ear heard.
Now, knowing the deep wisdom of that man;
And how, at times, by heavenly ministers,
Through dreams, nay, waking visions, secret things
Had been revealed to him,—some such, erelong,
Methought might come, of that great wonderment
Instructing him. In what profoundest night,
From eye of angel might I wrap me, then;
So that, myself unseen, all might I see,
All hear,—the thought perplexed me,—of new power
Within me risen, unconscious,—and I paused,
Dubious to stay, or go: for, not far off,
The coming of some heavenly thing I felt,
And his keen vision dreaded. But, behold!
While thus I stood,—thicker and thicker still
Heaping around me darkness,—suddenly,
Shining in heaven's full splendor he came in,
And stood before me! Well that Spirit ye know,
Zophiel, the sunbeam-eyed,—keen-sighted most
Of all God's spies; yet, with deep-volumed night
So had I girded me, that even he
The blackness pierced not. With the outstretched hand
Might he have touched me; yet he stood, and looked,
And saw me not! In all the glory of heaven
To Moses he appeared; so that to earth,
Covering his eyes, as blinded, fell the man,
And motionless lay, as dead. But, by the hand,
Zophiel upraised him, and thus spake. His words
Mark, and remember. ‘Servant of God,’ he said,
‘Be thy heart strong: look on me; hear my words.
Chosen of Heaven art thou; and mighty things
For Israel wilt thou do. But, after thee,
In due time, will arise one greater far;
Born of a woman,—yet the Son of God;
Messiah to be named; through whom shall be
Redemption universal to man's race.
From tribe of Levi, hath it been ordained,
Shall come the virgin mother of that Son:
Yea, even from these shall spring,—the maid and youth
Before thee standing,—so with upright heart,
Pure from all sin, in sight of God they live,
And pure they die. But, sinning, will they fall,
And Heaven's high favor forfeit! Look thou, then,
Heedfully on them. Dangerous is their path,
And narrow. One false step—and they are lost!’
Thus having spoken, over that fair twain,—
Unconscious of his presence,—with spread hands,
As blessing them, he bent; then heavenward flew:
And I, as quickly, to our leader hied,
Those wondrous things to tell. Now know ye all.”