The Judgement of the Flood by John A. Heraud. A New Edition. Revised and Re-Arranged |
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 | The Judgement of the Flood |  |
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BOOK THE EIGHTH. THE BOOK OF ENOCH
I. The Symbols
The Words of Enoch, which the Patriarch wrote,Ere he to heaven ascended visibly,
In letters taught by God, in love to man.
Whoso would Wisdom know, must learn her birth.
Never is Silence. Love with the Beloved
Still communes, in the Spirit uncreate:
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;
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;’
—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 born, fair progeny
Of intuition, Angel called, or Man;
Exhaustless Plenitude, and boundless Love,
Whose everlasting Blessedness delights
In the eternal Lovelike; of himself
The undecaying Wisdom, indistinct,
Inseparate from his essence; and in her
Creates, anew, perpetual Beauty's self,
Of her the Image, as herself of him,
Both in his Word summed up, the Word in them,
God all-in-all, and Man in his Idea,
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 all the sons of men on earth;
Hence one called Adonai, Heaven's Lord,
First Adam, he, and second; one, Lucifer,
Star of its morning, regent of its dawn,
To whom is given of Paradise the charge.
Still communes, in the Spirit uncreate:
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;
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;’
—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 born, fair progeny
Of intuition, Angel called, or Man;
Exhaustless Plenitude, and boundless Love,
Whose everlasting Blessedness delights
In the eternal Lovelike; of himself
The undecaying Wisdom, indistinct,
Inseparate from his essence; and in her
Creates, anew, perpetual Beauty's self,
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Both in his Word summed up, the Word in them,
God all-in-all, and Man in his Idea,
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 all the sons of men on earth;
Hence one called Adonai, Heaven's Lord,
First Adam, he, and second; one, Lucifer,
Star of its morning, regent of its dawn,
To whom is given of Paradise the charge.
Never is Silence. The Eternal Word
Bespeaks the Eternal Love for evermore.
‘As Thee I contemplate, so Man to me
Looks up, and by the Vision held, sees nought
Distinct, not even himself, and we but make
One age, one life, whereof each other flows.’
Hence are the Generations of the Heavens,
The Earths: such is the Principle unchanged,
Wherein subsists the changing Universe;
The Mystery wherein All lives, and moves,
And hath its being; One the Father—Love,
One Son, one Spirit, and the Wisdom one,
That springs from their communion, ever fair.
And thus revolve the Days in that One Day
Eternal, wherein He—the First, and Last—
Makes all the worlds, ere yet they roll in space,
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.
Bespeaks the Eternal Love for evermore.
‘As Thee I contemplate, so Man to me
Looks up, and by the Vision held, sees nought
Distinct, not even himself, and we but make
One age, one life, whereof each other flows.’
Hence are the Generations of the Heavens,
The Earths: such is the Principle unchanged,
Wherein subsists the changing Universe;
The Mystery wherein All lives, and moves,
And hath its being; One the Father—Love,
One Son, one Spirit, and the Wisdom one,
That springs from their communion, ever fair.
And thus revolve the Days in that One Day
Eternal, wherein He—the First, and Last—
Makes all the worlds, ere yet they roll in space,
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,
The sum of matter in the universe
Remains the same, each atom, force or power
Interdependent, needful to the whole;
No time could ever have been wanting one,
Else had at once entire Creation lapsed;
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
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,
Is God; the prior Whole of substance, God:
And the Idea which contains the whole,
The Principle, Beginning absolute,
Eternity. Yet further to explain
What thy inquiry would demand, learn this:
“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;
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
Quickens, initiates, and comprehends
All other Being. Ask you, what is that
Beginning? I reply—his self-beholding.
—Divine Intelligence, by an eterne
Self-contemplation, from his being throws
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, all the languages,
And modes of affirmation: whereupon
He looks for aye, whereto he 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.
The sum of matter in the universe
Remains the same, each atom, force or power
Interdependent, needful to the whole;
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Else had at once entire Creation lapsed;
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
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,
Is God; the prior Whole of substance, God:
And the Idea which contains the whole,
The Principle, Beginning absolute,
Eternity. Yet further to explain
What thy inquiry would demand, learn this:
“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;
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
Quickens, initiates, and comprehends
All other Being. Ask you, what is that
Beginning? I reply—his self-beholding.
—Divine Intelligence, by an eterne
Self-contemplation, from his being throws
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, all the languages,
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He looks for aye, whereto he 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.
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 dearness of his memory
Is very tender; how intense the love
Wherewith on it we dwell. ‘Yet 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.
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,
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,
They mingle minds, and feelings in the tale.
O that a record might be found, which, like
The stars, might shine unaltered; like a moon,
Reflect the shadow of each absent sun.’
—Then on the Altar built by Seth I looked;
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,
Spake to them all. Next, meditating deep,
Thus I rehearsed the meaning of the same,
My evening task, for better memory.
Chewing the cud of thoughts abstruse as these,
Thoughts of our Father, Adam, thronged my mind.
And, ah, the dearness of his memory
Is very tender; how intense the love
Wherewith on it we dwell. ‘Yet 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.
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,
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,
They mingle minds, and feelings in the tale.
O that a record might be found, which, like
The stars, might shine unaltered; like a moon,
Reflect the shadow of each absent sun.’
—Then on the Altar built by Seth I looked;
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,
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Thus I rehearsed the meaning of the same,
My evening task, for better memory.
From Eden's wild, the Word of God brought Man,
Whom he had formed of dust, and into whom
Had breathed the breath of lives; and planted him,
Eastward of Eden, in a Paradise
Prepared for his reception. From the ground
Grew every tree, was pleasant to the sight,
And good for food:—also, the Tree of Lives,
Within the Garden's midst; and, near, the Tree
Of Knowledge, bearing fruit of good and ill.
From Eden, too, there went a River forth,
To water it. The new-made Man was placed,
To dress and keep his fair inheritance.
Of all the garden he might freely 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,
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
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
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 with terrour, smitten on the earth;
Alone; and felt me Man. Nought else I felt,
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,
Were present in the selfsame consciousness,
As if to prove me being; these I named,
In marvel at their number, then as one
Resumed, and called them all myself. But, soon,
I yearned for Otherness; and, as I yearned,
An Image of Myself 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,
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;
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?
Till on a day they were revealed in glory,
For all whereon we looked became as water,
Wherein we might behold ourselves reflected.
There stood Two like Ourselves, more radiant they;
Female, and male: Divine humanities;
The Eternal Word, the Wisdom Infinite.
Brief while, they stayed; for then the sunset came,
Twilight, and darkness; prayer, and sleep, and dreams.’
Whom he had formed of dust, and into whom
Had breathed the breath of lives; and planted him,
Eastward of Eden, in a Paradise
Prepared for his reception. From the ground
Grew every tree, was pleasant to the sight,
And good for food:—also, the Tree of Lives,
Within the Garden's midst; and, near, the Tree
Of Knowledge, bearing fruit of good and ill.
From Eden, too, there went a River forth,
To water it. The new-made Man was placed,
To dress and keep his fair inheritance.
Of all the garden he might freely 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,
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
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
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 with terrour, smitten on the earth;
Alone; and felt me Man. Nought else I felt,
224
Seemed only part of me: nor felt apart;
For all seemed felt at once. Each power, each act,
Law, principle, idea, thought, and thing,
Were present in the selfsame consciousness,
As if to prove me being; these I named,
In marvel at their number, then as one
Resumed, and called them all myself. But, soon,
I yearned for Otherness; and, as I yearned,
An Image of Myself 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,
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;
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?
Till on a day they were revealed in glory,
For all whereon we looked became as water,
Wherein we might behold ourselves reflected.
There stood Two like Ourselves, more radiant they;
Female, and male: Divine humanities;
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—
And he found voice, and to the Woman spake,
Of that same Tree of Knowledge. She replied,
‘We may not eat of it, or even touch,
Lest we should die.’ ‘Ye shall not surely die.’
The Serpent answered—‘but shall be as gods,
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.
Than any living creature of the field—
And he found voice, and to the Woman spake,
Of that same Tree of Knowledge. She replied,
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Lest we should die.’ ‘Ye shall not surely die.’
The Serpent answered—‘but shall be as gods,
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.
Straight were their eyes enlightened, and they knew
That they were naked; sought themselves to clothe
With fig leaves sewed.
That they were naked; sought themselves to clothe
With fig leaves sewed.
'Twas in the cool of day,
When walked the Word of God in Paradise—
They heard his voice, and 'mong the garden trees
Concealed them from his presence. ‘Where art thou?’
Thus spake the Voice—and Man responded thus.
‘I heard thy voice; being naked, was afraid,
And hid myself.’ ‘Who told thee,’ spake the Voice,
‘That thou wert naked—hast thou broke the Law
And eaten of the Tree?’ The Man replied,
‘The Woman gave to me, and I did eat.’
The Woman said—‘The Serpent me beguiled.’
Then to the Serpent thus—‘For this thou art
Otherwise doomed than any creature else;
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.’
When walked the Word of God in Paradise—
They heard his voice, and 'mong the garden trees
Concealed them from his presence. ‘Where art thou?’
Thus spake the Voice—and Man responded thus.
‘I heard thy voice; being naked, was afraid,
And hid myself.’ ‘Who told thee,’ spake the Voice,
‘That thou wert naked—hast thou broke the Law
And eaten of the Tree?’ The Man replied,
‘The Woman gave to me, and I did eat.’
The Woman said—‘The Serpent me beguiled.’
Then to the Serpent thus—‘For this thou art
Otherwise doomed than any creature else;
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,
‘Thy travail, and conception multiply;
In sorrow shalt thou bring thy children forth;
Desire thy husband, and be swayed by him.’
‘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—
For thorns, and thistles shall grow up therein,
Though of the herb permitted thee to eat.
The sweating of thy brow shall earn thee bread,
Till to the ground, whence thou wert formed, restored—
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return.’
Because of thee, in sorrow to be reaped—
For thorns, and thistles shall grow up therein,
Though of the herb permitted thee to eat.
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Till to the ground, whence thou wert formed, restored—
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return.’
His doom thus heard; the Man his Wife addressed,
‘Thy name be Eve; Mother of all art thou.’
‘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—
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
Forth from this paradise, to till the ground
Whence he was taken.’
From the slain Lamb bereft the woolly skin,
And covered Adam, and his Wife withal—
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
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 Garden, templed in the flame,
A fiery pillar, turning on itself,
Irradiant, guarding thus the Tree of Lives.
Eve following; and placed his Cherubim
East of the Garden, templed in the flame,
A fiery pillar, turning on itself,
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
Of Eden. There I came. How gloriously
The fiery pillar, self-involved, revealed
Its glory, from the glory inshrining it,
Its tabernacle. Ever as it rose
Sublimer, in pyramid majesty,
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;
Yet thus I prayed to Him whose name is Love.
‘Creatour, thou hast made thy universe
A pattern of thy power, a mirrour gross
Of things divine, invisible. And all
Thy works are words: and every word of man
Embodies, in created thing, the thought
Thus only understood. Even as himself
Was in thine image made, and only there
Finds image of himself, in what of thee
Inferiour image is. And thou hast set
Thy Cherubim, the representatives
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
Reverberate thy holiness, and shake
The mercy-seat whereon thou sitst enthroned.
And human thought than lightning swifter, words
Impetuous as the thunder, ill reports
Aught foreign from the spirit whence they came.
Thine is that spirit, and its skill is thine;
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,
Albeit excursive, comprehends alone.’
My heart burned. Then forth issued I, to fall,
Adoring, in the presence of my God,
Before the Cherubim that guard the gate
Of Eden. There I came. How gloriously
The fiery pillar, self-involved, revealed
Its glory, from the glory inshrining it,
Its tabernacle. Ever as it rose
Sublimer, in pyramid majesty,
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;
Yet thus I prayed to Him whose name is Love.
‘Creatour, thou hast made thy universe
227
Of things divine, invisible. And all
Thy works are words: and every word of man
Embodies, in created thing, the thought
Thus only understood. Even as himself
Was in thine image made, and only there
Finds image of himself, in what of thee
Inferiour image is. And thou hast set
Thy Cherubim, the representatives
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
Reverberate thy holiness, and shake
The mercy-seat whereon thou sitst enthroned.
And human thought than lightning swifter, words
Impetuous as the thunder, ill reports
Aught foreign from the spirit whence they came.
Thine is that spirit, and its skill is thine;
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,
Albeit excursive, comprehends alone.’
Thus prayed I, and was silent. From the Cone,
The Living Spirit audibly pronounced
My name. I lifted up my eyes, and lo,
Michael before me stood; his glory veiled,
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,
Which God shall teach thee rightly to peruse.’
'Tis of the Six Days' Work, and Seventh's rest.
What there thou findst transcribe; and add thereto,
What thou hast learned of Providence, and God.’
The Living Spirit audibly pronounced
My name. I lifted up my eyes, and lo,
Michael before me stood; his glory veiled,
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,
Which God shall teach thee rightly to peruse.’
'Tis of the Six Days' Work, and Seventh's rest.
228
What thou hast learned of Providence, and God.’
With grateful heart, I took the precious gift;
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.
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. The Tablet
This is the Record which the Tablet bore,
Of Wisdom to the Elohim listening,
Apt to reveal in song the mind of God.
Of Wisdom to the Elohim listening,
Apt to reveal in song the mind of God.
First, the Beginning is; wherein is hid
In Unity of Being, all that can
Be manifested in diversity,
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 Adonäi, image of the First:
Jehovah, One in All—the One in Three—
For 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,
Herself thus Three in One; and, one with Love,
(Receiving the fecundity divine,)
Teems with creations endless, brings them forth
In everlasting Order. Heaven, and Earth
Roll in her eyes, upon her bosom globe;
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;
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 in them, as her inhabit they;
In heaven as Wisdom known, Beauty on earth.
In Unity of Being, all that can
Be manifested in diversity,
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 Adonäi, image of the First:
Jehovah, One in All—the One in Three—
For 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,
Herself thus Three in One; and, one with Love,
(Receiving the fecundity divine,)
Teems with creations endless, brings them forth
In everlasting Order. Heaven, and Earth
Roll in her eyes, upon her bosom globe;
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;
229
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 in them, as her inhabit they;
In heaven as Wisdom known, Beauty on earth.
Nor place, nor state, alone; but Heaven, and Earth,
Intelligent, and loving, live to love,
For generation live, and procreant bliss—
Spirit with Nature plays in amorous sport;
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,
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
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,
Their cry she echoes, and the passionate moan
Doth pass 'tween Hell, and Earth, and Chaos fill.
‘Vain,’ Earth exclaims, ‘that I should children own,
Yet at my nipples they should never nest,
And my capacities of mother-love
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?’
Intelligent, and loving, live to love,
For generation live, and procreant bliss—
Spirit with Nature plays in amorous sport;
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,
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
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,
Their cry she echoes, and the passionate moan
Doth pass 'tween Hell, and Earth, and Chaos fill.
‘Vain,’ Earth exclaims, ‘that I should children own,
Yet at my nipples they should never nest,
And my capacities of mother-love
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—
‘Appeal not thou against the will of Heaven:
Both wise, and just is he;—but know, thy strong
Desire is as a spell within my heart:
Free me;—when he descends, it shall prevail.’
‘Appeal not thou against the will of Heaven:
230
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,
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
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
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,
Emerging from the deep, made Chaos glad,
And mighty Powers, Heaven's offspring, peopled Earth.
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
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
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,
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,
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
As most excelling; yet from gratitude,
Confess the youngest, who, by name of Time,
Governs both them, and all material powers.
Again speaks in thy heart, Eternity;
And gives to thee, and to thy Bride a Son,
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
As most excelling; yet from gratitude,
Confess the youngest, who, by name of Time,
Governs both them, and all material powers.
But gratitude by greater benefit
May be outbid; and Light on Darkness grow
Unto the perfect noon.
May be outbid; and Light on Darkness grow
Unto the perfect noon.
Mysterious Time,
As day the night, bright Lucifer usurps;
And the obscure Eternity, displaced
By the progressive Hours with radiant hair,
Retires to higher Heaven: So Wisdom wills;
So Love ordains.
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And the obscure Eternity, displaced
By the progressive Hours with radiant hair,
Retires to higher Heaven: So Wisdom wills;
So Love ordains.
The godship of the world
Thus Lucifer receives; and whom his light
Had franchised, they on him confer their gifts,
And hail him Prince of Air; the Lightning his,
And his the Thunder that succeeds the flash.
Thus Lucifer receives; and whom his light
Had franchised, they on him confer their gifts,
And hail him Prince of Air; the Lightning his,
And his the Thunder that succeeds the flash.
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.
—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
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;
And with his triumph thus One Æra crowns.
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.
—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
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;
And with his triumph thus One Æra crowns.
So Wisdom wills; so Love. This War eterne
Is still of Love. Where Wisdom, Order is.
—Still Love ordains that, 'midst this sum of powers,
Order, made manifest, distinction make,
'Twixt power, and power; and whatso is above,
From whatso is beneath; forenaming it,
(As still the visible firmament we name,)
Spirit celestial, or the expanse of air,
Or, in the plural, the Disposing Heavens.
—For know, the Spiritual Heavens as many seem,
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,
Affirmed should be for Powers manifold,
Or rather Omniform as All in All;
Seven spirits waiting on the Throne of one,
Yet omnipresent through the Universe.
Darkness, meanwhile, with Light, in loving strife,
Contests supremacy; till victor Light,
New triumph won, a Second Æra crowns.
Is still of Love. Where Wisdom, Order is.
—Still Love ordains that, 'midst this sum of powers,
Order, made manifest, distinction make,
'Twixt power, and power; and whatso is above,
From whatso is beneath; forenaming it,
(As still the visible firmament we name,)
Spirit celestial, or the expanse of air,
Or, in the plural, the Disposing Heavens.
—For know, the Spiritual Heavens as many seem,
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That in the One is Many, and in the Many
One only, with the All preceding both;
Hence Love decrees, that Order, simply one,
Affirmed should be for Powers manifold,
Or rather Omniform as All in All;
Seven spirits waiting on the Throne of one,
Yet omnipresent through the Universe.
Darkness, meanwhile, with Light, in loving strife,
Contests supremacy; till victor Light,
New triumph won, a Second Æra crowns.
So Love, so Wisdom wills. Let Order rule
The subject living forces, and assign
To these a rare, and those a denser form,
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 full, or in the germ;
Productive each of offspring, like itself,
Of solid, and of fluid each combined,
Proportional; organic. Ever Love
Looks on, and ever sees the work is good;
While on the shore of Darkness, like a flood
After long ebb, Light steals, and covering it,
New triumph won, the Third great Age completes.
The subject living forces, and assign
To these a rare, and those a denser form,
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 full, or in the germ;
Productive each of offspring, like itself,
Of solid, and of fluid each combined,
Proportional; organic. Ever Love
Looks on, and ever sees the work is good;
While on the shore of Darkness, like a flood
After long ebb, Light steals, and covering it,
New triumph won, the Third great Age completes.
So Love ordains, so Wisdom. Fit the Light
Should be constrained, and within spheres confined,
By All-disposing Order; in the Heavens
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,
Condense, and crystallize; and, circling round
The point of rest, with progress equable,
Of solid, liquid, and ethereal, form
Both Sun, and Moon, and Planetary orbs;
Bearers of Light.
Should be constrained, and within spheres confined,
By All-disposing Order; in the Heavens
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,
Condense, and crystallize; and, circling round
The point of rest, with progress equable,
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Both Sun, and Moon, and Planetary orbs;
Bearers of Light.
Then there was War in Heaven—
For Lucifer with Wisdom, conference high
Maintaining, had discoursed; and she, his parle
Repeating, of the Word Eternal gained
The passionate suit that it was Death to plead—
‘Grateful Vicissitude of Day, and Night,
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
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,
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.
For Lucifer with Wisdom, conference high
Maintaining, had discoursed; and she, his parle
Repeating, of the Word Eternal gained
The passionate suit that it was Death to plead—
‘Grateful Vicissitude of Day, and Night,
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
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,
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,
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 influence through the mass,
Erst cold, and dern, and modified at will
Material form; himself thus suffering loss,
Whereat was Darkness pleased, but soon repaired
By the pervading Lucifer, whose aid
Might omnipresent seem; such power was his,
Though short of that, the balance to preserve,
Of qualities by constant interchange,
And revolution. Meet, howe'er, the god
Soon moderate his wrath; for its fierce heat,
Invading matter, else will all dissolve;
Diffused all form in space aëriform.
Some of resistive temper stubbornly
Maintain coherence; but, already, more,
Capacious of less heat, compactness lose;
A few of warmth impatient, melt at once.
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.
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 influence through the mass,
Erst cold, and dern, and modified at will
Material form; himself thus suffering loss,
Whereat was Darkness pleased, but soon repaired
By the pervading Lucifer, whose aid
Might omnipresent seem; such power was his,
Though short of that, the balance to preserve,
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And revolution. Meet, howe'er, the god
Soon moderate his wrath; for its fierce heat,
Invading matter, else will all dissolve;
Diffused all form in space aëriform.
Some of resistive temper stubbornly
Maintain coherence; but, already, more,
Capacious of less heat, compactness lose;
A few of warmth impatient, melt at once.
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
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 Fourth Age had end.—
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 Fourth Age had end.—
Then Wisdom 'gan complain. ‘Lo, here is change
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;
Ourself enthroned above.’ Then spake the Word.
‘Wouldst thou descend? Observe example first—
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,
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.
Blessèd be ye. Increase, and multiply;
Fill ye the waters of the sea, make glad
The expanded air betwixt yon Heaven, and Earth.’
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;
Ourself enthroned above.’ Then spake the Word.
‘Wouldst thou descend? Observe example first—
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,
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.
Blessèd be ye. Increase, and multiply;
Fill ye the waters of the sea, make glad
The expanded air betwixt yon Heaven, and Earth.’
Thus while he spake, bright Lucifer unsphered
His glory; and, his state forsook, became
The mystic instinct, and sagacity,
Of those who thus were blessed, the inhabitants
Of sea, and air; genius of winds, and streams;
His life their light, exalted in his fall;
Mutation constant, till the Fifth Age ends.
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The mystic instinct, and sagacity,
Of those who thus were blessed, the inhabitants
Of sea, and air; genius of winds, and streams;
His life their light, exalted in his fall;
Mutation constant, till the Fifth Age ends.
Which seeing, Wisdom sighed: ‘I yearn for Death.’
Answered the Eternal Word: ‘Have thy desire:
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.’
Answered the Eternal Word: ‘Have thy desire:
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.’
Thus earth was peopled. But there needed yet
A lord to rule this heritage of life,
The wild of savage natures, reptile forms.
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,
Which the Elohim grant. Befits that We,
Structure, sublimer far, intelligence;
More lofty front, and attitude erect.
For Love hath spoken, both in thee, and me.
Be mind to them, according to his prayer,
Which the Elohim grant. Befits that We,
Structure, sublimer far, intelligence;
More lofty front, and attitude erect.
For Love hath spoken, both in thee, and me.
‘Let us make Man, our Image, like Ourself,
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.’
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,
And with the Sons of Men shall I disport,
Within the habitable parts of Earth.’
‘So my delights long promised shall arrive,
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 born, and suffer Death;
And thou, the Universal Mother, yield
Homage, as Woman, to a mortal lord,
Travail with Time, and bring forth Truth with pain,
To perish in an agony of fire,
Only regaining thus immortal life,
By me redeemed from sorrow, and the grave.
Tempted by Lucifer to this result,
Forewarned; by strong desire, and love compelled;
That thou, though wise before, shouldst learn to know,
And with experience fill the reason's void.’
Must Man become, be born, and suffer Death;
And thou, the Universal Mother, yield
Homage, as Woman, to a mortal lord,
Travail with Time, and bring forth Truth with pain,
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Only regaining thus immortal life,
By me redeemed from sorrow, and the grave.
Tempted by Lucifer to this result,
Forewarned; by strong desire, and love compelled;
That thou, though wise before, shouldst learn to know,
And with experience fill the reason's void.’
The Sixth Age ended; there was Rest in Heaven.
Jehovah, the Elohim, one Jehovah:
O Word, O Wisdom, O Eternal Love;
O ninefold Mystery, uncreate, unnamed;
Darkness profound, impenetrable proved
By Light's excess, that blinds us as we gaze;
Most hides itself in that which most reveals;
And teaches Man, that God may not be known.
Both Good, and Evil are His ordonnance;
And Light, and Darkness; He created both.
When I had read, I bowed my pensive knee
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
A sacred Song; first sung by me, and them,
As, then and there, the Spirit had inspired
Me, erst by Wisdom made a Friend of God,
And Prophet, as she makes all holy souls,
Who welcome her, when she would enter in.
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
A sacred Song; first sung by me, and them,
As, then and there, the Spirit had inspired
Me, erst by Wisdom made a Friend of God,
And Prophet, as she makes all holy souls,
Who welcome her, when she would enter in.
Before all Being, Love is God. 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
Himself reveals, revealing so the Sire.
Such the decree. Paternal Throne of Love,
Unutterable, inaccessible,
Abides in Light that aye shall limit round
The universe, and nought shall comprehend
For ever, and for ever. None shall hear
His voice, the filial Word except, and he
To whom the Word his will supreme reveals,
Within whose bosom I consorted live.
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
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Such the decree. Paternal Throne of Love,
Unutterable, inaccessible,
Abides in Light that aye shall limit round
The universe, and nought shall comprehend
For ever, and for ever. None shall hear
His voice, the filial Word except, and he
To whom the Word his will supreme reveals,
Within whose bosom I consorted live.
Eternal Silence is not. Love bespeaks
‘The Son—I am:’ and the Word answers—‘Yea,
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 Beginning, and the End art thou.’
Where to the Son—‘According to thy will,
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,
In the Beginning lives the Word with Love;
Profound, unfathomable abyss, anon
Inspired, and vocal, . . Love become the Word,
And the far Spirit circumscribing space,
That Wisdom may complete the Work of Power.
‘The Son—I am:’ and the Word answers—‘Yea,
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 Beginning, and the End art thou.’
Where to the Son—‘According to thy will,
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,
In the Beginning lives the Word with Love;
Profound, unfathomable abyss, anon
Inspired, and vocal, . . Love become the Word,
And the far Spirit circumscribing space,
That Wisdom may complete the Work of Power.
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
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,
And beautiful as young. Thereat the Light
Comes 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.
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,
The choral Stars rejoice, with Sun, and Moon;
The finny nations of the watery deep,
Winged people of the aëreal hemisphere,
The children of the forest, and the field,
Make earth, and air, and ocean, glad with life.
Shout loud with joy the sons of Love in heaven—
Soon silent, for the Elohim speaking thus:
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
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,
And beautiful as young. Thereat the Light
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Cradled, grows in her aspect lovely, till
She diadems with day-beams his smooth brows;
And ancient Darkness hides but half a world.
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,
The choral Stars rejoice, with Sun, and Moon;
The finny nations of the watery deep,
Winged people of the aëreal hemisphere,
The children of the forest, and the field,
Make earth, and air, and ocean, glad with life.
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;
The Earths with their Inhabitants are made,
Creating yet, creating evermore.
In his own Image, Love createth Man.
—Thus are the Heavens created, and their Hosts;
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 æra.
And the profound knows motion; storm, and calm
Meting the days, and making each an æra.
Perfect in its completions, Love beholds
His Universe, and all pronounces good;
Fit altar for his worship—temple fit
For Man to dwell in: and, by seeing Love,
In nature visible, conform his works
To his exemplar, . . perfect, and preserve
His breathèd soul's similitude divine.
Then Love into his solitude retires,
And hallows his repose; hence sanctifies
The Seventh Day to man, recurring sign
Of his perpetual peace . . memorial aye
Of his creation, and completing joy.
His Universe, and all pronounces good;
Fit altar for his worship—temple fit
For Man to dwell in: and, by seeing Love,
In nature visible, conform his works
To his exemplar, . . perfect, and preserve
His breathèd soul's similitude divine.
Then Love into his solitude retires,
And hallows his repose; hence sanctifies
The Seventh Day to man, recurring sign
Of his perpetual peace . . memorial aye
Of his creation, and completing joy.
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III. Death and Obsequies of Adam
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,
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,
Rejoicing in the Fountain of all Love,
Who still becomes Intelligence, and Life,
In Angels, Man, and creatures still express.
‘Before his Works of Old, thus ere the earths,
And heavens, ere the hills, and skies, and floods,
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,
Rejoicing in the Fountain of all Love,
Who still becomes Intelligence, and Life,
In Angels, Man, and creatures still express.
Nor Earth to me is not, nor void of Man,
Its habitable parts unpopulous.
But with the Sons of Men I still delight,
Partaking my Divinity with them,
Even to self-utterance.’ Wisdom, while Man speaks,
Prompts the pleased mind, and Beauty charms the soul—
Whence Eden, with her smile irradiate, blooms
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,
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.
Its habitable parts unpopulous.
But with the Sons of Men I still delight,
Partaking my Divinity with them,
Even to self-utterance.’ Wisdom, while Man speaks,
Prompts the pleased mind, and Beauty charms the soul—
Whence Eden, with her smile irradiate, blooms
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,
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.
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,
The radiant Lucifer, thence Satan called,
Whose heart by his own brightness now seduced,
To make division in the works of God,
Would with his own ambition prompt the Eve,
So name the Woman, of all women type.
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,
The radiant Lucifer, thence Satan called,
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To make division in the works of God,
Would with his own ambition prompt the Eve,
So name the Woman, of all women type.
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,
Felt in her own esteem—spiritual pride,
Wherewith the soul reels drunken in excess;
And in her beauty thus, serene, severe,
With loveliest invitation, dalliance soft,
Wooes to the banquet rare her yielding lord.
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 with new life,
Conceived in sin, but born to be redeemed.
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,
Felt in her own esteem—spiritual pride,
Wherewith the soul reels drunken in excess;
And in her beauty thus, serene, severe,
With loveliest invitation, dalliance soft,
Wooes to the banquet rare her yielding lord.
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 with new life,
Conceived in sin, but born to be redeemed.
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,
The Word, and Wisdom that with God abide.
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,
The Word, and Wisdom that with God abide.
Distinction first, then Separation comes,
But not Expulsion; till the Cherub dares
To lure the loving Will to outward act
Of Knowledge mixed for pure, both good, and ill.
Distant from Paradise, two Sexes then,
Of earthly generatours earthly heirs,
Sad exiles to a world that travails still,
By Labour win a Garden from the Wild,
And die—to know, what else can not be known.
But not Expulsion; till the Cherub dares
To lure the loving Will to outward act
Of Knowledge mixed for pure, both good, and ill.
Distant from Paradise, two Sexes then,
Of earthly generatours earthly heirs,
Sad exiles to a world that travails still,
By Labour win a Garden from the Wild,
And die—to know, what else can not be known.
No Image, hence, of Love is fallen Man,
But Symbol mere of Wisdom, partial sign;
And Woman but of Beauty the mere type,
Who should have been of Wisdom Image fair.
Yet Hope survives, though Innocence depart,
And Faith, and Love shall triumph over Death.
The Soul consumes the Sin wherein it burns,
With glory crowning, and transfiguring
The house of Death into Life's elements,
Making it radiant ere invisible,
Hallowed, and hallowing. Transgression thus
Preludes Salvation, which of twain makes one,
In dissolution but renewal finds.
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And Woman but of Beauty the mere type,
Who should have been of Wisdom Image fair.
Yet Hope survives, though Innocence depart,
And Faith, and Love shall triumph over Death.
The Soul consumes the Sin wherein it burns,
With glory crowning, and transfiguring
The house of Death into Life's elements,
Making it radiant ere invisible,
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,
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,
Created of the dust, the breath of lives,
Whence he of clay becomes a living soul.
For Shame would Nature's nakedness defend,
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,
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;
The Word of God the Genitor of all,
Through Him in the Beginning filiate;
Father of Spirits, Love Ineffable,
The Saviour, the Redeemer, evermore.
—With the First-Born, the Man his Mother hailed
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,
Full of the rage to know, and wish to merit;
Yea, and in all that he would still deserve,
And still would know, the Fury recognised,
That appetite of thirst, and hunger keen
Kept in his soul alive. Thus outwardly
Possessed, as still within; companions fierce,
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—
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 from infancy;
Hence, 'twixt their rival altars, Abel fell.’
For I am Understanding, and with me
Is Prudence, Wealth, and Power from everlasting;
The Word of God the Genitor of all,
Through Him in the Beginning filiate;
Father of Spirits, Love Ineffable,
The Saviour, the Redeemer, evermore.
—With the First-Born, the Man his Mother hailed
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,
Full of the rage to know, and wish to merit;
Yea, and in all that he would still deserve,
And still would know, the Fury recognised,
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Kept in his soul alive. Thus outwardly
Possessed, as still within; companions fierce,
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—
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 from infancy;
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,
The patriarchs together, that they might
Be present at the death of the First Man,
To whom the Spirit had his end foretold.
Ye came, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel,
And Jared; and, with me, and with my son,
Methuselah, around the couch of age,
In grave solicitude, and silent awe,
His words attended, while he thus began.
Whereof, O fathers, witnesses are ye.
Adam, our Father, gave me in command
To gather, as the youngest of them all,
The patriarchs together, that they might
Be present at the death of the First Man,
To whom the Spirit had his end foretold.
Ye came, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel,
And Jared; and, with me, and with my son,
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,
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;
To covet not, even knowledge, though divine.
His law was love, obedience loving him;
Love strong in hope, and fortified by faith:
And doubt was not until was tempted Eve,
To effort vain, of knowledge without power.
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
Eve, Mother of all Living; so 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
Dissimilar? We would that thou shouldst know
Thy strength, but he thy weakness who seduced.
Election made, necessity begins.
Go—win by labour what free grace had given:
Aim to be gods; and be such but in aim:
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. Yet shall salvation be
Wrought, though with trembling, out. A race shall rise,
The kings, and priests of men, who shall uphold
Faith, or for good, or evil, and attain
Knowledge, or power; and human fears, and hopes
Shall hang on mortal wills: and these shall mount
Exalted to celestial seats, and earth
Adore them—heroes, demigods, and gods:
Till 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
Shall reunite:—In sign whereof, observe
What now I do, and oft the rite perform.’
—Thus saying; straight he of earth an altar piled,
And on it laid an holocaust, and slew
The anointed beasts, as I do now, and said,
‘Lo, Adam, this is Death.’ We saw—were thrilled—
‘Fear not, for this shall your last refuge be
From sorrow . . here behold the gate of Heaven.
And now the Fire of heaven that ye will need,
Thus willingly I render to your use—
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
'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,
And quaffed the blood; and o'er our limbs he spread
The skins 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.’
Our dwelling-place before the mountains were,
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;
To covet not, even knowledge, though divine.
His law was love, obedience loving him;
243
And doubt was not until was tempted Eve,
To effort vain, of knowledge without power.
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
Eve, Mother of all Living; so 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
Dissimilar? We would that thou shouldst know
Thy strength, but he thy weakness who seduced.
Election made, necessity begins.
Go—win by labour what free grace had given:
Aim to be gods; and be such but in aim:
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. Yet shall salvation be
Wrought, though with trembling, out. A race shall rise,
The kings, and priests of men, who shall uphold
Faith, or for good, or evil, and attain
Knowledge, or power; and human fears, and hopes
Shall hang on mortal wills: and these shall mount
Exalted to celestial seats, and earth
Adore them—heroes, demigods, and gods:
Till 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
Shall reunite:—In sign whereof, observe
What now I do, and oft the rite perform.’
—Thus saying; straight he of earth an altar piled,
244
The anointed beasts, as I do now, and said,
‘Lo, Adam, this is Death.’ We saw—were thrilled—
‘Fear not, for this shall your last refuge be
From sorrow . . here behold the gate of Heaven.
And now the Fire of heaven that ye will need,
Thus willingly I render to your use—
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
'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,
And quaffed the blood; and o'er our limbs he spread
The skins 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.’
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,
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,
And Paradise become unparadised.
Therefore, without its walls, I do return
With you unto the Place whence thee I brought,
O Adam; there to till the ground wherefrom
I took thee.’ So he drave us forth, and left,
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.
—My hour is come. Farewell. Restore to earth
Earth's perishable dust.’
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,
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,
And Paradise become unparadised.
Therefore, without its walls, I do return
With you unto the Place whence thee I brought,
245
I took thee.’ So he drave us forth, and left,
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.
—My hour is come. Farewell. Restore 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,
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
Within, his mortal frame reposes here,
Thus in the bowers of Paradise his soul,
In visionary slumber, findeth peace,
Till their re-union in the end of time.’
—Six days were past in sorrow. These elapsed,
The race of Adam at his obsequies
Assembled. Seth, the Patriarch, and the Priest,
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
Within, his mortal frame reposes here,
Thus in the bowers of Paradise his soul,
In visionary slumber, findeth peace,
Till their re-union in the end of time.’
Tears then were shed; a loud lament arose
From thousands, and from thousands. ‘And is this
The hope of man? Are all his days of toil
Decreed to this reward? Hath Adam died,
Even like the holocaust we sacrificed?
Perishes man as perishes the worm,
And, mingling with the dust, is seen no more?’
From thousands, and from thousands. ‘And is this
The hope of man? Are all his days of toil
Decreed to this reward? Hath Adam died,
Even like the holocaust we sacrificed?
Perishes man as perishes the worm,
And, mingling 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
Rose in the midst . . and, asking with his hand
Attention, thus began: ‘Such are the hopes
Of miserable man. Knew ye not Death
Before? I knew him, King of Terrours, ere
Your generation was; for I beheld
Young Abel die, whose blood cried from the ground.’
At length, a Stranger from the Land of Naid
Rose in the midst . . and, asking with his hand
Attention, thus began: ‘Such are the hopes
Of miserable man. Knew ye not Death
Before? I knew him, King of Terrours, ere
Your generation was; for I beheld
Young Abel die, whose blood cried from the ground.’
246
Hereat was raised the question, like a shout—
‘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,
First witness of man's death, first murtherer.
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 toil,
Was hateful in his sight. I tilled the earth;
I fattened it with sweat, and watered it
With tears, . . for food, . . all to prolong this life,
This miserable life, whose end ye see.
He ate the food who earned not; but his days
Passed idly, contemplating with delight
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.
A curse—a curse—a curse is on the earth,
And death within its bosom, night, and hell,
Populous hell, and night depopulate.’
‘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,
First witness of man's death, first murtherer.
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 toil,
Was hateful in his sight. I tilled the earth;
I fattened it with sweat, and watered it
With tears, . . for food, . . all to prolong this life,
This miserable life, whose end ye see.
He ate the food who earned not; but his days
Passed idly, contemplating with delight
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.
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 clasp her long-lost son—
Spurned rudely.—‘Cain,’ she cried, ‘my first-born son:
A happy mother I, when thou wert born:
When I to Adam said, that I had got
The man Jehovah.’—
Had sate, and ran to clasp her long-lost son—
Spurned rudely.—‘Cain,’ she cried, ‘my first-born son:
A happy mother I, when thou wert born:
When I to Adam said, that I had got
The man Jehovah.’—
‘I the first-born man—
Why by another are these rites performed?
Behold, a king am I. Lo, I am crowned.
The diadem conceals a branded brow—
Ye have no kings among you, . . look on me; . .
The blood I shed did consecrate me such;
Fearful my name, and sacred made my life.
Thou 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,
Yet dead. And soon his father shall he slay,
And I will bid him hail, and be no more.’
Why by another are these rites performed?
Behold, a king am I. Lo, I am crowned.
The diadem conceals a branded brow—
Ye have no kings among you, . . look on me; . .
The blood I shed did consecrate me such;
Fearful my name, and sacred made my life.
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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,
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 God?
Ye fathers of the family of men?
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
With him a gracious covenant, that he
Might soar by wisdom, on the wings of faith,
To blessèd life, to immortality,
From carnal lusts abstaining; and appoint
A righteous law to manifest his sin,
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,
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.’
Enoch: . . ‘Why are ye silent, sons of God?
Ye fathers of the family of men?
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
With him a gracious covenant, that he
Might soar by wisdom, on the wings of faith,
To blessèd life, to immortality,
From carnal lusts abstaining; and appoint
A righteous law to manifest his sin,
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,
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
Ye said, had sped to Paradise—'tis here,
'Tis there—or any where; but where it is,
Ye 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
And earnest prayers, and groanings from the soul,
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
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.’
Ye said, had sped to Paradise—'tis here,
'Tis there—or any where; but where it is,
Ye 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
And earnest prayers, and groanings from the soul,
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And soothe my spirit with his presence once,
In sign of pardon, or that I had not
Extinguished all his being. He heard not
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
Departed sad, a mournful company.
Departed sad, a mournful company.
Returning to the realm o'er which he ruled,
Cain, the man-slayer, the death-angel slew;
By touch ethereal slain, and not by man.
Cain, the man-slayer, the death-angel slew;
By touch ethereal slain, and not by man.
IV. Translation of Enoch
How swift the years fly past, yet not as flies
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
But motions of his own activity,
Whose very thoughts imperishable are,
Inscribed by God within his Book of Doom?
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
But motions of his own activity,
Whose very thoughts imperishable are,
Inscribed by God 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
Of angels, visiting the sons of men,
Celestial testimony, to convince
The sceptic mind suffice; who'll not believe,
No satisfaction, even in knowledge, finds.
Nay, even to demon oracles recourse
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,
How lovely, how adorned, how sweetly wise
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,
Continued shepherds of the sacred flocks
For 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
The martyr's peril; and thereon was one,
Enoch the Scribe, who looked with much concern.
Sank deeply, with the death of the Unborn,
The first-created man. Dispute ensued,
High argument; nor might assurance high
Of angels, visiting the sons of men,
Celestial testimony, to convince
The sceptic mind suffice; who'll not believe,
No satisfaction, even in knowledge, finds.
Nay, even to demon oracles recourse
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,
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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,
Continued shepherds of the sacred flocks
For 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
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 alive,
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,
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,
The beautiful, and true were in 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, Faith of its eternity would dream.
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.
And fasted . . forty days; and, all that time,
Trances, and visions kept his soul alive,
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,
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,
The beautiful, and true were in 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, Faith of its eternity would dream.
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.
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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:
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,
And fear with hope hath vanished from the earth;
Twin-sisters they, wings of the soul; and force
Rules dominant, till murther bid him pause.
Therefore go thou, and take thy Book with thee,
Which thou hast written with sacrific blood,
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 hear the voice of God,
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
Reject, albeit now the sons of men
Be on this side of the baptizing flood,
That o'er the world shall spread the pall of death,
Redeeming so the earth from violence.
For though no veil the glorious throne obscure,
And from the presence of his God divide
Man, or from spiritual intercourse
Debar, with angels, or with demons; yet
Fail 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,
And faith come by the ear—nought by the eye:
Until the grave the Place of Hope expand,
Where, till the time of consummation, rest
Her spirits disincarnate, prisoners,
Region of vision, but itself unseen.’
Man doubts the life within him, God-inbreathed,
And fear with hope hath vanished from the earth;
Twin-sisters they, wings of the soul; and force
Rules dominant, till murther bid him pause.
Therefore go thou, and take thy Book with thee,
Which thou hast written with sacrific blood,
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 hear the voice of God,
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
Reject, albeit now the sons of men
Be on this side of the baptizing flood,
That o'er the world shall spread the pall of death,
Redeeming so the earth from violence.
For though no veil the glorious throne obscure,
And from the presence of his God divide
Man, or from spiritual intercourse
Debar, with angels, or with demons; yet
Fail 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,
And faith come by the ear—nought by the eye:
Until the grave the Place of Hope expand,
Where, till the time of consummation, rest
Her spirits disincarnate, prisoners,
Region of vision, but itself unseen.’
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And Enoch did appoint a solemn day,
And Eden was assembled there, before
The sacred hill, in presence of the Lord.
The mountain melted, and the Cherubim
Paled to the nothing of obscurity
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,
And fire, and darkness his pavilion were.
He rent the heavens, and came down; and man
Dissolved in fear before him, as in death.
The trumpet pealed between; and as it waxed
Louder, and longer, Enoch raised his voice
As on an eagle's wing, and, strong in 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.
Anon, returned to earth, his countenance
Dazzled the gaze of men, and awed them back;
Then he the Coming of the Lord proclaimed:
And Eden was assembled there, before
The sacred hill, in presence of the Lord.
The mountain melted, and the Cherubim
Paled to the nothing of obscurity
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,
And fire, and darkness his pavilion were.
He rent the heavens, and came down; and man
Dissolved in fear before him, as in death.
The trumpet pealed between; and as it waxed
Louder, and longer, Enoch raised his voice
As on an eagle's wing, and, strong in 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.
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,
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;
And yet, as if unwritten, and unread,
Like beasts ye live whom God created men.
Hither, thou trembling Sinner. Stand thou forth,
And answer for thy sin. What God is thine?’
Judgement forthwith on all to execute,
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;
And yet, as if unwritten, and unread,
Like beasts 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;
—‘I bow the knee unto the Teraphim,
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 fulmine over Paradise.’
Then rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully cast out consuming flame,
And lightning smote the sinner to the earth.
—‘I bow the knee unto the Teraphim,
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In herds, and wives, and numerous progeny.
Their glory is less terrible than Their's
That flash, and fulmine over Paradise.’
Then rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully 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?’
‘What is that graven image in thy house?’
‘'Tis of my father, for he taught me much
Of knowledge, and my hand 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,
And he adorable.’
Of knowledge, and my hand 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,
And he adorable.’
Scarce had he said,
When rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully cast out consuming fire,
And lightning smote the sinner to the earth.
When rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully cast out consuming fire,
And lightning smote the sinner to the earth.
Then came another, summoned to the bar.
—‘Why callest thou upon the name of God?’
—‘Why callest 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.’
Cold shudders crept, and so I uttered it,
As I am wont in terrour, or surprise.’
And then again the thunder louder rolled,
And wrathfully the hill blazed high in heaven,
And the just lightning smote the sinner dumb.
And wrathfully the hill 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
God rested from his work, that spade bearst thou?’
—‘Why, on this high and holy day, wherein
God rested from his work, that spade bearst thou?’
‘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 seldom, if at all, vacation know.’
Told me of what was passing here of strange,
And wonderful; so from my work I came,
Who seldom, if at all, vacation know.’
Then rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully cast out consuming flame,
And lightning smote the sinner to the earth.
More wrathfully cast out consuming flame,
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Then came another, summoned to the bar.
—‘Why with such scorn lookst thou upon that old
Woman, and man—thy mother, and thy sire?’
—‘Why with such scorn lookst thou upon that old
Woman, and man—thy mother, and thy sire?’
‘For they are old and feeble, and in age
Ridiculous, mere objects of contempt.’
Ridiculous, mere objects of contempt.’
Then rolled the thunder louder, and the hill
More wrathfully cast out consuming flame,
And lightning smote the sinner into dust.
More wrathfully cast out consuming flame,
And lightning smote the sinner into dust.
Another, summoned to his doom, advanced.
—‘Why with such scowling brow gloatst thou on him?’
—‘Why with such scowling brow gloatst thou on him?’
‘He is my enemy—I slew his sire,
And him will slay; for they have done me wrong.’
And him will slay; for they have done me wrong.’
Even while he spake, the thunder rolled aloud,
Fierce burned the mount, and him the lightning slew.
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?’
—‘What woman she with those lascivious eyes,
Who hangs upon thee fearful, while yon man
Creeps close behind you, with desponding look?’
‘He is her sometime husband—I am now.’
Loud rolled the thunder, fierce the mountain burned,
And the just lightning smote the sinner blind.
And the just lightning smote the sinner blind.
Then came another, summoned to the bar.
—‘Whence gottest thou that staff?’
—‘Whence gottest thou that staff?’
‘It lay beside
An aged man asleep, a useless thing;
I took it thence to help me on my way.’
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.
Fierce burned the mount, and him the lightning smote.
Then came another, summoned to the bar.
—‘Why doth that man upon thee thus exclaim?’
—‘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.’
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.
And the just lightning smote the sinner dumb.
Then came another, summoned to the bar.
—‘Why lookest thou with such a stedfast gaze
Upon that ass whereon thy neighbour rides?’
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Upon that ass whereon thy neighbour rides?’
‘I do affect it for its strength, and shape.’
Again the Mount of Paradise burned up,
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,
And shrunk back from the radiance of his brow,
For their hard speeches them he thus reproved:
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,
And shrunk back from the radiance of his brow,
For their hard speeches them he thus reproved:
‘Ye murmurers against the ways of God,
O ye complainers for the doom of man;
Ye who prefer to feed upon the dust,
Like serpents, yet disdain the serpent's doom;
Who lose the sense of immortality,
No longer worthy even of transient life,
And therefore justly dread eternal death.
What proof ask ye? If ye have none in you,
None can be given—avails no miracle—
Nor such vouchsafed, but that the sensual man
May be without excuse. Yet, after death,
Know ye, is victory, or discomfiture—
Victory to him who's valiant to the end,
And overcometh. Wrath, and shame to him
Who fails with sin to war, and is subdued.
But that ye may have reason to believe,
I do ascend the sacred Mount of God,
And, without dying, enter Paradise.’
O ye complainers for the doom of man;
Ye who prefer to feed upon the dust,
Like serpents, yet disdain the serpent's doom;
Who lose the sense of immortality,
No longer worthy even of transient life,
And therefore justly dread eternal death.
What proof ask ye? If ye have none in you,
None can be given—avails no miracle—
Nor such vouchsafed, but that the sensual man
May be without excuse. Yet, after death,
Know ye, is victory, or discomfiture—
Victory to him who's valiant to the end,
And overcometh. Wrath, and shame to him
Who fails with sin to war, and is subdued.
But that ye may have reason to believe,
I do ascend the sacred Mount of God,
And, without dying, enter Paradise.’
So saying, calmly, and in majesty,
He did ascend the cherub-guarded hill,
And passed the flaming sword. He walked with God,
And was not, for his God accepted him.
He did ascend the cherub-guarded hill,
And passed the flaming sword. He walked with God,
And was not, for his God accepted him.
These are the words which Seth spake, in the day
When he received the Book that Enoch wrote,
Unto Jehovah, who created him.
When he received the Book that Enoch wrote,
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Thou art Jehovah: terrible art thou
In mercy. On thy horses thou didst ride,
Thy chariots of salvation bore thee on.
From midst the myriads of the hosts of heaven,
The Holy One with glory clad the sky,
And fire consumed the mountain where he trod.
In mercy. On thy horses thou didst ride,
Thy chariots of salvation bore thee on.
From midst the myriads of the hosts of heaven,
The Holy One with glory clad the sky,
And fire consumed the mountain where he trod.
Perfect in beauty, and in wisdom full,
Anointed Cherub: who, in Paradise,
Garden of God, his new-created Man
Didst cover with unshamèd 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,
Thy wisdom was corrupted, verily,
By reason of thy brightness. Thou art now
Brought to the dust, O thou who hast defiled
Thy sanctuaries with iniquities.
Therefore will God bring forth, from thee amidst,
A fire that shall devour thee. Thou shalt be
A terrour, and shalt perish utterly.
Anointed Cherub: who, in Paradise,
Garden of God, his new-created Man
Didst cover with unshamèd 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,
Thy wisdom was corrupted, verily,
By reason of thy brightness. Thou art now
Brought to the dust, O thou who hast defiled
Thy sanctuaries with iniquities.
Therefore will God bring forth, from thee amidst,
A fire that shall devour thee. Thou shalt be
A terrour, and shalt perish utterly.
Jehovah is in judgment terrible.
When him I heard, my bowels shook, . . my lips
Quivered, and rottenness was in my bones;
They trembled under me, and for the day
Of tribulation groaned my inmost soul.
When him I heard, my bowels shook, . . my lips
Quivered, and rottenness was in my bones;
They trembled under me, and for the day
Of tribulation groaned my inmost soul.
O terrible in judgements; thou in wrath
Rememberest mercy. Wherefore waxst thou hot
'Gainst Man seduced? Ah—wherefore should the Foe
Say, that for mischief thou revealedst him?
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—
Bounteous of truth, and goodness, laying up
Mercy for thousands, and forgiving all
Iniquity, transgression, sin; and thou
Wilt not excuse the sinner, visiting
The sire's iniquity upon the child,
Unto the generation third, and fourth.
Rememberest mercy. Wherefore waxst thou hot
'Gainst Man seduced? Ah—wherefore should the Foe
Say, that for mischief thou revealedst him?
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—
Bounteous of truth, and goodness, laying up
Mercy for thousands, and forgiving all
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Wilt not excuse the sinner, visiting
The sire's iniquity upon the child,
Unto the generation third, and fourth.
I ever in Jehovah will rejoice,
In God, my Saviour, ever will exult—
Jehovah, the Almighty, is my strength,
And I will trust in him for evermore.
For of his Bounty he created man.
And Enoch left a Widow, and her name
In God, my Saviour, ever will exult—
Jehovah, the Almighty, is my strength,
And I will trust in him for evermore.
For of his Bounty he created man.
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
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
Unborn, and when her days of travail closed,
The Mother in her Infant's face beheld
The shadow of her smile. Then on her heart
She pressed the Child, and named her from herself—
She called her Edna. And the Daughter grew,
As like 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,
His Testament to her, as was his Book
Unto the Race of Men . . . a Word, not dead
As that is unto many, but with life
Still breathing, glowing, beautiful and fair.
And Seth did build two Pillars by the tomb
Of Adam—by that altar-tomb he built them,
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Stern Cain spake to his Mother, while she wept;
‘Sin was of thy conception, Death of mine.’
For Cain had smitten Abel as they worshipped;
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 life was Lord
Of earth—one God breathed spirit into man,
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?’
—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
Might be made perfect, and the will renewed;
Which else would die of ire, by God consumed
In mercy, lest worse evil all destroy.
Willing, life offered he to him who gave,
Submitting to the Chastener, even to death,
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.
‘Sin was of thy conception, Death of mine.’
For Cain had smitten Abel as they worshipped;
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 life was Lord
Of earth—one God breathed spirit into man,
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?’
—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
Might be made perfect, and the will renewed;
Which else would die of ire, by God consumed
In mercy, lest worse evil all destroy.
Willing, life offered he to him who gave,
Submitting to the Chastener, even to death,
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:
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;
Now when the ground thou tillest, it henceforth
Shall not yield of her strength to thee; become
A fugitive, and wanderer in the earth.’
Then Cain Jehovah answered: ‘Punishment
Like this is mightier far than I can bear;
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
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;
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
Dwelt, east of Eden; father of a race.
Thy brother?’ And he answered, ‘I know not:
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;
Now when the ground thou tillest, it henceforth
258
A fugitive, and wanderer in the earth.’
Then Cain Jehovah answered: ‘Punishment
Like this is mightier far than I can bear;
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
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;
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
Dwelt, east of Eden; father of a race.
And Adam knew again his Wife, who bare
A Son, and called him Seth; for God to her
Another had appointed in the stead
Of Abel, whom Cain slew. And this is he
On whom the Book of Enoch was bestowed,
Who built these Pillars, and these Words inscribed.
A Son, and called him Seth; for God to her
Another had appointed in the stead
Of Abel, whom Cain slew. And this is he
On whom the Book of Enoch was bestowed,
Who built these Pillars, and these Words inscribed.
END OF EIGHTH BOOK.
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