 | The Demon of Destiny |  |
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JUDITH.
Thick myst'ry veils the Deity, but Time
Unfolds the issue of His will sublime.
Thus, when of old the proud Assyrian Lord,
King of the world, unsheath'd th' avenging sword,
The earth resounded with alarm and dread,
Peace flew to Heaven, and Safety sought the dead.
But from God's throne bright Inspiration came—
Her garments glory, and her wings of flame—
To aw'd Judea; and the kindling land
Blaz'd with the spirit of her high command.
Unfolds the issue of His will sublime.
Thus, when of old the proud Assyrian Lord,
King of the world, unsheath'd th' avenging sword,
The earth resounded with alarm and dread,
Peace flew to Heaven, and Safety sought the dead.
But from God's throne bright Inspiration came—
Her garments glory, and her wings of flame—
To aw'd Judea; and the kindling land
Blaz'd with the spirit of her high command.
In tower and town a bold alarum rose:
“Prepare the shield,—prepare to meet the foes!”
In tower and town, and on the village green,
Determin'd fathers, with their sons, were seen;—
Mothers and sisters knelt in hopeful pray'r,
But little children cried to Heaven for care.
“Prepare the shield,—prepare to meet the foes!”
In tower and town, and on the village green,
Determin'd fathers, with their sons, were seen;—
Mothers and sisters knelt in hopeful pray'r,
But little children cried to Heaven for care.
Still on, th' Assyrians, like the flowing sea,
Spread as they came; and threats of Destiny
Shower'd on Bethulia. All her mountain pride
Was scath'd and wither'd, when her wells beside,
The bands of Assur rais'd their tents. Amaz'd,
Despair and Famine from the ramparts gaz'd:
They saw, far glimmering in the vales around,
A leaguering host approach, and heard the sound
Of pond'rous engines surging as they came.
'Twas Holifernes' host—minion of Fame!
Spread as they came; and threats of Destiny
Shower'd on Bethulia. All her mountain pride
Was scath'd and wither'd, when her wells beside,
The bands of Assur rais'd their tents. Amaz'd,
Despair and Famine from the ramparts gaz'd:
They saw, far glimmering in the vales around,
A leaguering host approach, and heard the sound
Of pond'rous engines surging as they came.
'Twas Holifernes' host—minion of Fame!
Around the elders, soon the trembling town
In crowds assembl'd, heedless of renown,
And of the covenants their fathers made,
As if they thought Jehovah could not aid.
In crowds assembl'd, heedless of renown,
And of the covenants their fathers made,
As if they thought Jehovah could not aid.
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Wildly they cried, “Our cisterns all are dry;
Better to yield than in this horror die!
Why spare the firstlings of the flocks and kine?
Why are they sacred, while we famish'd pine?”
Better to yield than in this horror die!
Why spare the firstlings of the flocks and kine?
Why are they sacred, while we famish'd pine?”
The ancient wise their clam'rous fears attend;
“After five days,” they said, “unless descend
Help yet unknown, Bethulia shall be given
Free to the foe.”—They deem'd not then that Heaven,
True to the covenants, unchang'd, would still
The storied promises of old fulfil.
“After five days,” they said, “unless descend
Help yet unknown, Bethulia shall be given
Free to the foe.”—They deem'd not then that Heaven,
True to the covenants, unchang'd, would still
The storied promises of old fulfil.
The widow, Judith, in that troubl'd hour,
Was Heaven-selected, and enrich'd with power.
The wond'ring angels, as they look'd below,
Around her head beheld the halo glow,
And, from the woman's much-enduring heart,
Upborn, by Mercy, Gentleness depart.
And they, too, saw that in its stead, was given
A holy Energy from mystic Heaven.
While in her tent, on the house-top forlorn,
The lonely widow could but hopeless mourn,
The hallow'd Energy, descending, brought,
For mortal sorrow, an immortal thought.
Was Heaven-selected, and enrich'd with power.
The wond'ring angels, as they look'd below,
Around her head beheld the halo glow,
And, from the woman's much-enduring heart,
Upborn, by Mercy, Gentleness depart.
And they, too, saw that in its stead, was given
A holy Energy from mystic Heaven.
While in her tent, on the house-top forlorn,
The lonely widow could but hopeless mourn,
The hallow'd Energy, descending, brought,
For mortal sorrow, an immortal thought.
She heard around the panic rumours spread—
The mountains quake, and Zion thrill with dread.
In all the vallies, nearing from afar,
Came Vengeance, hurling thunder, wrath and war;
But calm she stood, and heard the cries and wail
Of shudd'ring throngs—“the conqu'ror will prevail!”
And in her spirit bright and brighter glow'd
The Inspiration wing'd with flame from God.
The mountains quake, and Zion thrill with dread.
In all the vallies, nearing from afar,
Came Vengeance, hurling thunder, wrath and war;
But calm she stood, and heard the cries and wail
Of shudd'ring throngs—“the conqu'ror will prevail!”
And in her spirit bright and brighter glow'd
The Inspiration wing'd with flame from God.
The hoary elders of Bethulia then—
Chabris, Ozias, and Charmis, old men—
She call'd before her, and reproachful said:
“Antients of Israel, why thus afraid?
Why have ye doubtful sworn to yield the town,
As if the Lord would Jacob's race disown
Before His promise be fulfill'd? Beware!
Repent! Repent! with sacrifice and pray'r;
Do as your fathers did—their sternest best—
Stand as they stood, and leave to Heaven the rest—
Fight as they fought, when yonder glorious sun
Stood with his sister over Ajalon.”
Chabris, Ozias, and Charmis, old men—
She call'd before her, and reproachful said:
“Antients of Israel, why thus afraid?
Why have ye doubtful sworn to yield the town,
As if the Lord would Jacob's race disown
Before His promise be fulfill'd? Beware!
Repent! Repent! with sacrifice and pray'r;
Do as your fathers did—their sternest best—
Stand as they stood, and leave to Heaven the rest—
Fight as they fought, when yonder glorious sun
Stood with his sister over Ajalon.”
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Fir'd by her fervour, they exclaim'd, contrite,
“Our trust is Heaven,—what Heaven decrees is right;
Go thou and pray that Heaven's sufficient will
With gracious rain may the parch'd cisterns fill.
We faint! we perish! In the cattle's veins
The final hope of fever'd Thirst remains.”
“Our trust is Heaven,—what Heaven decrees is right;
Go thou and pray that Heaven's sufficient will
With gracious rain may the parch'd cisterns fill.
We faint! we perish! In the cattle's veins
The final hope of fever'd Thirst remains.”
Then Judith said, with conscious purpose stern:
“There shall be done a patriot deed eterne.
Go tell the warders of the midnight hour,
I and my maid—our guard Jehovah's power—
Will seek th' Assyrian; and by me shall be
God prov'd a traitor, or our country free.”
“There shall be done a patriot deed eterne.
Go tell the warders of the midnight hour,
I and my maid—our guard Jehovah's power—
Will seek th' Assyrian; and by me shall be
God prov'd a traitor, or our country free.”
The old men trembl'd, and consenting, bow'd,
As if they heard an oracle endow'd
With awful prophecies, and mute retir'd,
Their lowly hearts with confidence inspir'd;
While Judith fell upon her face, and cried,—
“My faith in Heaven will not be now belied;
The crime is glory that I have conceived.
Yes, Heaven! be falsehood from my lips believ'd,
My sin be as the sins that God performs
When good men perish in unfetter'd storms,
When pests or famines sweep the howling earth,—
To angels anguish, and to devils mirth,—
A myst'ry be it—for the deed is thine—
Thou, only Thou, canst make a crime divine;
For this, for this, was my firm spirit given,—
Strike home the knife made for thy purpose, Heaven;
Blest crime, that will the caves of Hell amaze,
And with their echoes swell the psalm of praise.”
As if they heard an oracle endow'd
With awful prophecies, and mute retir'd,
Their lowly hearts with confidence inspir'd;
While Judith fell upon her face, and cried,—
“My faith in Heaven will not be now belied;
The crime is glory that I have conceived.
Yes, Heaven! be falsehood from my lips believ'd,
My sin be as the sins that God performs
When good men perish in unfetter'd storms,
When pests or famines sweep the howling earth,—
To angels anguish, and to devils mirth,—
A myst'ry be it—for the deed is thine—
Thou, only Thou, canst make a crime divine;
For this, for this, was my firm spirit given,—
Strike home the knife made for thy purpose, Heaven;
Blest crime, that will the caves of Hell amaze,
And with their echoes swell the psalm of praise.”
While thus with honour, yet with virtue fill'd—
Intents, sublime, by woman's weakness thrill'd—
She rose, and soon—with such untroubl'd mein
As sails the sun o'er the blue depth, serene,
When tempests rage, and driving navies sweep,
Martless and rudderless, the ocean's deep—
With fragrant essences, her braided hair
Sweetens, as roses, all the sighing air;
Her sandals sparkle, bright with many a gem,
And on her head a costly diadem
Shines, as the midnight, in the summer calm,
Wears all her jewels, and comes breathing balm.—
She blush'd, she pray'd, yet, hopeful to be woo'd
With zoneless waste, to Love and Fate subdu'd.
Intents, sublime, by woman's weakness thrill'd—
She rose, and soon—with such untroubl'd mein
As sails the sun o'er the blue depth, serene,
When tempests rage, and driving navies sweep,
Martless and rudderless, the ocean's deep—
With fragrant essences, her braided hair
Sweetens, as roses, all the sighing air;
Her sandals sparkle, bright with many a gem,
And on her head a costly diadem
Shines, as the midnight, in the summer calm,
Wears all her jewels, and comes breathing balm.—
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With zoneless waste, to Love and Fate subdu'd.
The aged elders, standing at the gate,
Beheld her coming; and awhile elate,
Forgot their country and its dangers then,
Smiling delighted—in their hearts young men.
Beheld her coming; and awhile elate,
Forgot their country and its dangers then,
Smiling delighted—in their hearts young men.
But soon her eyes celestial radiance beam'd,
And as a phantom, passionless, she seem'd:
Rebuk'd, the fathers of Bethulia stood,
And mourn'd the error of their human blood.
With holy reverence, nearing them, they saw,
As from the world the Heavens a saint withdraw,
Her, with her maiden, unremarking, pass
The open'd gates; while but one sad “alas!”
Was heard from all the wond'ring warriors there—
A mingl'd sigh—love, honour, and despair.
And as a phantom, passionless, she seem'd:
Rebuk'd, the fathers of Bethulia stood,
And mourn'd the error of their human blood.
With holy reverence, nearing them, they saw,
As from the world the Heavens a saint withdraw,
Her, with her maiden, unremarking, pass
The open'd gates; while but one sad “alas!”
Was heard from all the wond'ring warriors there—
A mingl'd sigh—love, honour, and despair.
Towards the camp of Holifernes, she,
With her sad maiden, walk'd intrepidly;
No word escap'd, as to the plain they went,
Nor from the damsel aught to mar intent,—
Weeping, but mute, she travell'd on behind,
As if partaking her lov'd lady's mind;
And Judith, rapt, walk'd on before,—a queen
Solemnly calm, but with a victor's mein.
With her sad maiden, walk'd intrepidly;
No word escap'd, as to the plain they went,
Nor from the damsel aught to mar intent,—
Weeping, but mute, she travell'd on behind,
As if partaking her lov'd lady's mind;
And Judith, rapt, walk'd on before,—a queen
Solemnly calm, but with a victor's mein.
The night was still; at every star, sublime,
The wond'ring angels, anxious for the crime,
Expectant stood. The windows of the sky
Were bright with witnesses that watch on high;
The numerous camp-lights in the vale below,
Seem'd as a lake reflects the starry show;
And dim beyond the eastern mountains, lay
The silver radiance of the lunar day;
While from Bethulia's dark and tower'd walls,
Came, as the foot of pacing warder falls
When hov'ring dreams molest the sleepless bed,
Sounds like the hammer's o'er the coffin'd dead.
The wond'ring angels, anxious for the crime,
Expectant stood. The windows of the sky
Were bright with witnesses that watch on high;
The numerous camp-lights in the vale below,
Seem'd as a lake reflects the starry show;
And dim beyond the eastern mountains, lay
The silver radiance of the lunar day;
While from Bethulia's dark and tower'd walls,
Came, as the foot of pacing warder falls
When hov'ring dreams molest the sleepless bed,
Sounds like the hammer's o'er the coffin'd dead.
Wordless as trees wind-shook, from post to post,
A nightly squadron of th' Assyrian host
Was riding then, and from the gloom beheld
Majestic Judith and her maid reveal'd.
A nightly squadron of th' Assyrian host
Was riding then, and from the gloom beheld
Majestic Judith and her maid reveal'd.
The captain marvel'd why, in per'lous night,
Two so defenceless seem'd, in war's despite,
To dare the darkness, courteously enquir'd
Whence they had come, and where to go desir'd.
Two so defenceless seem'd, in war's despite,
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Whence they had come, and where to go desir'd.
The high soul'd Judith said, with lowliness,
“I am a Hebrew, come in our distress
To ask for refuge. I for that will show
How best Judea may be won. I go
To Holifernes; and will tell the way
To win Bethulia,—guide me, Sir, I pray.”
“I am a Hebrew, come in our distress
To ask for refuge. I for that will show
How best Judea may be won. I go
To Holifernes; and will tell the way
To win Bethulia,—guide me, Sir, I pray.”
Spell'd by her speech, he chose a hundred men,
To Holifernes to conduct her then—
And from the mountain look'd the Queen of Heaven,
Amaz'd to see how craft, inspir'd, had thriven.
To Holifernes to conduct her then—
And from the mountain look'd the Queen of Heaven,
Amaz'd to see how craft, inspir'd, had thriven.
Bower'd in his tent, great Holifernes lay;
The pomps of eastern might his power display.
A purple canopy, with gems and pearls,
Hangs o'er his couch; around, in gorgeous furls,
Embroider'd curtains, golden-fring'd, enclose
Th' Assyrian Satrap lull'd in soft repose.
The pomps of eastern might his power display.
A purple canopy, with gems and pearls,
Hangs o'er his couch; around, in gorgeous furls,
Embroider'd curtains, golden-fring'd, enclose
Th' Assyrian Satrap lull'd in soft repose.
Around, attendant, silent eunuchs stand,
All fix'd as trees on some fair flowery land,
While from a thousand silver sconces bright,
As watching spirits, blazes fragrant light;
But when the horsemen, coming as with doom,
Were heard, the chief awoke—The guards illume
Their ready lamps; and forth the tent he goes
To where, in beauty, Heaven-led Judith glows.
All fix'd as trees on some fair flowery land,
While from a thousand silver sconces bright,
As watching spirits, blazes fragrant light;
But when the horsemen, coming as with doom,
Were heard, the chief awoke—The guards illume
Their ready lamps; and forth the tent he goes
To where, in beauty, Heaven-led Judith glows.
Admiring wonder churm'd from all the throng,
When she was seen the squadron'd bold among;
But while around, the murm'ring worship spread,
She knelt, a slave, and bow'd her jewel'd head,
Surpris'd, the eunuchs rais'd her, and the chief
Thus spoke in pity, mov'd by gentle grief:—
When she was seen the squadron'd bold among;
But while around, the murm'ring worship spread,
She knelt, a slave, and bow'd her jewel'd head,
Surpris'd, the eunuchs rais'd her, and the chief
Thus spoke in pity, mov'd by gentle grief:—
“Dim not, bright star, so cloudy, thus dismay'd;
Be comforted,—be not in heart afraid;
For never aught th' Assyrian monarch harms
That yields to serve him. Such amazing charms
Would thaw the frozen of the coldest mood,
And warm to Love the sternest tyrants blood.
Tell me, mild gentle, wherefore art thou here?
Why dost thou come to us?—nay, banish fear;
We seek but men,—the lovely here are free,—
The loveliest thou. Oh! who would injure thee?”
Be comforted,—be not in heart afraid;
For never aught th' Assyrian monarch harms
That yields to serve him. Such amazing charms
Would thaw the frozen of the coldest mood,
And warm to Love the sternest tyrants blood.
Tell me, mild gentle, wherefore art thou here?
Why dost thou come to us?—nay, banish fear;
We seek but men,—the lovely here are free,—
The loveliest thou. Oh! who would injure thee?”
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Then Judith, humbly, and with downcast eyes,
Heard him, impassion'd, but unmov'd, replies:
“If thou wilt listen to thy handmaid, Sir,
And take her counsel for a minister,
She will unfold how thou may'st best attain
This mountain region, and unquestion'd reign
The King of kings o'er Israel's chosen line,
Of old predestin'd for some scheme divine.
Heard him, impassion'd, but unmov'd, replies:
“If thou wilt listen to thy handmaid, Sir,
And take her counsel for a minister,
She will unfold how thou may'st best attain
This mountain region, and unquestion'd reign
The King of kings o'er Israel's chosen line,
Of old predestin'd for some scheme divine.
“In starry Chaldee, shepherd swains of old,
Our fathers dwelt, where Abram, at his fold,
Beheld the seasons and their signs on high
Reveal the presence of the Deity,—
And left the pastures of his native hills,
Where man, debas'd by idol-worship, thrills
He knows not wherefore. Thence, a devious road,
He southward came to serve the living God;
To these green vales and thymy mountains brought
His flocks and herds, till o'er the Earth a drought—
By Heaven design'd, to work some blest intent—
His heirs with Jacob into Egypt sent,
Where plenty reign'd, and where, with special grace,
The Lord Almighty blest the Hebrew race,
Till Pharaoh, fearful of their growing might,
Resolv'd to mar their prosp'rous boughs with blight.
Our fathers dwelt, where Abram, at his fold,
Beheld the seasons and their signs on high
Reveal the presence of the Deity,—
And left the pastures of his native hills,
Where man, debas'd by idol-worship, thrills
He knows not wherefore. Thence, a devious road,
He southward came to serve the living God;
To these green vales and thymy mountains brought
His flocks and herds, till o'er the Earth a drought—
By Heaven design'd, to work some blest intent—
His heirs with Jacob into Egypt sent,
Where plenty reign'd, and where, with special grace,
The Lord Almighty blest the Hebrew race,
Till Pharaoh, fearful of their growing might,
Resolv'd to mar their prosp'rous boughs with blight.
“Fell tasks of toil the jealous tyrant fram'd;
But still Jehovah, whom they serv'd, proclaim'd,
By wonders then, the boon he had reveal'd,
And shelt'ring, o'er them held his spacious shield.
But still Jehovah, whom they serv'd, proclaim'd,
By wonders then, the boon he had reveal'd,
And shelt'ring, o'er them held his spacious shield.
“Astonish'd Egypt saw the dreadful aid;
And at the midnight, madding and afraid,
With horses, chariots, and a hurrying host,
Drove and pursued them to the Red Sea coast:
The conscious sea unclos'd to let them pass;
But clasp'd their foemen, and a whirlpool was.
And at the midnight, madding and afraid,
With horses, chariots, and a hurrying host,
Drove and pursued them to the Red Sea coast:
The conscious sea unclos'd to let them pass;
But clasp'd their foemen, and a whirlpool was.
“Then on Mount Sinai, thron'd, the Sov'reign Lord
Renew'd his covenant, and grasp'd his sword.
He paction'd with them, if they would abide
By his decrees, to battle on their side,
Till from the race of Israel should spring
A King to them and to mankind a King;
And free he made for them this gifted land,
Free as the ebbing billows leave the sand.
Renew'd his covenant, and grasp'd his sword.
He paction'd with them, if they would abide
By his decrees, to battle on their side,
Till from the race of Israel should spring
A King to them and to mankind a King;
And free he made for them this gifted land,
Free as the ebbing billows leave the sand.
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“They took possession, and with heart and knee
They worshipp'd him triumphant, great and free;
But when they, faithless to his covenant,
Swerv'd from his laws, avenging chastisement
From Heaven came hurling, till the erring race
Repentant pray'd for mercy and for grace.
They worshipp'd him triumphant, great and free;
But when they, faithless to his covenant,
Swerv'd from his laws, avenging chastisement
From Heaven came hurling, till the erring race
Repentant pray'd for mercy and for grace.
“Thy handmaid, Sir, has ever faithful been,
And by her spirit hath His justice seen:
Never in aught He paction'd to perform
Hath yet He fail'd, nor stay'd the threaten'd storm,
If Israel falter'd; and for that I come
To claim from thee a respite for my home.
For if, repentant, the Bethulians own
A just alarm of his still dark'ning frown—
In vain, in vain, if they contrite but kneel,
Shall all Assyria all her vengeance feel;
But if forgetful of the Lord of Hosts,
They sin and dare with unavailing boasts,
I will myself instruct you how to slave
The race blasphemous that defiance rave.
And by her spirit hath His justice seen:
Never in aught He paction'd to perform
Hath yet He fail'd, nor stay'd the threaten'd storm,
If Israel falter'd; and for that I come
To claim from thee a respite for my home.
For if, repentant, the Bethulians own
A just alarm of his still dark'ning frown—
In vain, in vain, if they contrite but kneel,
Shall all Assyria all her vengeance feel;
But if forgetful of the Lord of Hosts,
They sin and dare with unavailing boasts,
I will myself instruct you how to slave
The race blasphemous that defiance rave.
“It was of old, on Sinai's sacred height,
Requir'd by God as covenanted right,
That, for his service, consecrate should be
The firstlings of the flocks and herds, and He
Hath ever justly that condition claim'd,
And the religious have contritely blam'd
The doubting elders that for aught incline
To violate the covenant divine.
Requir'd by God as covenanted right,
That, for his service, consecrate should be
The firstlings of the flocks and herds, and He
Hath ever justly that condition claim'd,
And the religious have contritely blam'd
The doubting elders that for aught incline
To violate the covenant divine.
“But now Bethulia, all her cisterns dry,
Her stores exhausted, burning brass her sky,
Hath sworn to yield,—hath fix'd the doleful day,—
She will the consecrated cattle slay,
Unless reliev'd—assurance of her fall—
She makes conditions with the Lord of all!
Her stores exhausted, burning brass her sky,
Hath sworn to yield,—hath fix'd the doleful day,—
She will the consecrated cattle slay,
Unless reliev'd—assurance of her fall—
She makes conditions with the Lord of all!
“The direful omens of her fate I know,
And thus dejected fly her overthrow.
If in five days his sword Jehovah sheath,
And for his laws the silent will of Death
Reign in her courts, thus at thy feet I swear
To show how best thou may'st be master there.”
And thus dejected fly her overthrow.
If in five days his sword Jehovah sheath,
And for his laws the silent will of Death
Reign in her courts, thus at thy feet I swear
To show how best thou may'st be master there.”
Her ponder'd speech the charm'd Assyrian heard;
Their admiration whisper'd all the guard,—
And round arose involuntary cries:
“How bright in beauty, and in words how wise!”
Their admiration whisper'd all the guard,—
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“How bright in beauty, and in words how wise!”
Then Holifernes rais'd her up, and said,
“Fairest and wisest, be not thou dismay'd.
Thy God hereafter shall be mine, and high
Shalt thou amidst the stars immortal vie:
Yes, I accord to thee the boon desir'd,
And here will wait till the fix'd term's expir'd;
Till then, within, partake th' Assyrian feast,
A sacred stranger, and an honour'd guest.”
“Fairest and wisest, be not thou dismay'd.
Thy God hereafter shall be mine, and high
Shalt thou amidst the stars immortal vie:
Yes, I accord to thee the boon desir'd,
And here will wait till the fix'd term's expir'd;
Till then, within, partake th' Assyrian feast,
A sacred stranger, and an honour'd guest.”
Resplendent Judith lowlily replied:
“Thy handmaid, Sir, is by her faith denied
To share such courtesies. Her Faith revere:
She stays a pledge—a holy hostage here.”
“Thy handmaid, Sir, is by her faith denied
To share such courtesies. Her Faith revere:
She stays a pledge—a holy hostage here.”
Then grave Bazoas, with respectful hand,
The richest-vestur'd of the eunuch band,
Led her submissive to a tented bower,
Where soft she slumber'd till the morning hour.
Arising then, she bade Bazoas bear,
To Holifernes, her submissive pray'r—
That, with her maid, she might unquestion'd go
Beyond the camp, to where cool fountains flow:
And there perform, as her religion claim'd,
The holy rites that none may view unblam'd.”
The richest-vestur'd of the eunuch band,
Led her submissive to a tented bower,
Where soft she slumber'd till the morning hour.
Arising then, she bade Bazoas bear,
To Holifernes, her submissive pray'r—
That, with her maid, she might unquestion'd go
Beyond the camp, to where cool fountains flow:
And there perform, as her religion claim'd,
The holy rites that none may view unblam'd.”
Spell'd by her charms, the brave Assyrian chief,
Subdued by Love, Compassion, Hope and Grief,
Consented courteously to the request,
And gave command that none should her molest;
For the bright radiance of her beauteous eyes
Had, in his bosom, wak'd a lover's sighs.
And while in secret with himself he strove,
He held her hallow'd, and controul'd his love;
But man, poor man, imperial passion's thrall,
May only deprecate awhile his fall;
A smiling demon, Minister of Fate,
Waits for his victim, patiently and late,
Aware that, glammour'd by its subtle art,
Must yield the fated with the longing heart;
And slav'd by Hope, be menial to desire,
Or curs'd with scorn, drugg'd by Despair and fire
Subdued by Love, Compassion, Hope and Grief,
Consented courteously to the request,
And gave command that none should her molest;
For the bright radiance of her beauteous eyes
Had, in his bosom, wak'd a lover's sighs.
And while in secret with himself he strove,
He held her hallow'd, and controul'd his love;
But man, poor man, imperial passion's thrall,
May only deprecate awhile his fall;
A smiling demon, Minister of Fate,
Waits for his victim, patiently and late,
Aware that, glammour'd by its subtle art,
Must yield the fated with the longing heart;
And slav'd by Hope, be menial to desire,
Or curs'd with scorn, drugg'd by Despair and fire
The doom'd Assyrian with Love's sadness griev'd;
But Judith Heaven-ward saw, and thus deceiv'd.
But Judith Heaven-ward saw, and thus deceiv'd.
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Bazoas came to her with crested pride,
And dreading not his suit would be denied:
“The Lord of chiefs,” he said, “O! lady bright
Designs a banquet for his guest to-night;
And all that's gorgeous, from Assyria, there
Will greet and glorify the fairest fair.”
And dreading not his suit would be denied:
“The Lord of chiefs,” he said, “O! lady bright
Designs a banquet for his guest to-night;
And all that's gorgeous, from Assyria, there
Will greet and glorify the fairest fair.”
Thus, as with honour loaded and oppress'd,
The blest of Israel her joy confess'd:
“I will attend,—oh! what am I to share!—
The golden splendours of Assyria there;
But on the weed, as on the gem, the blaze
Of Heaven's own sun alike impartial rays.”
The blest of Israel her joy confess'd:
“I will attend,—oh! what am I to share!—
The golden splendours of Assyria there;
But on the weed, as on the gem, the blaze
Of Heaven's own sun alike impartial rays.”
Then with her maiden, who, lamenting, wove
The lures of beauty, and delight and Love,
She deck'd herself; while, in her spirit's core,
Her blushing mind did Heavenly aid implore,—
And it was granted; for upon her shed
Was virtue beaming from the fountain head,—
And o'er the nakedness of harlotry,
The grace of Eve in her first purity.
The lures of beauty, and delight and Love,
She deck'd herself; while, in her spirit's core,
Her blushing mind did Heavenly aid implore,—
And it was granted; for upon her shed
Was virtue beaming from the fountain head,—
And o'er the nakedness of harlotry,
The grace of Eve in her first purity.
As round the moon the holy halo bright
Augments the show, yet mitigates the light,
Down from the diadem on Judith's brows,
A veil, in dalliance, unfolding flows;
And while with Love she seems to warm the air,
Desire, attending, almost feels to dare.
Augments the show, yet mitigates the light,
Down from the diadem on Judith's brows,
A veil, in dalliance, unfolding flows;
And while with Love she seems to warm the air,
Desire, attending, almost feels to dare.
The golden Satrap, with his peers around—
“Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound,”
Await the brightening of the eastern star,
With festal splendours, and the pomps of war.
The grave and wise the feast's intent declare;
For but the jocund and the young are there.
“Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound,”
Await the brightening of the eastern star,
With festal splendours, and the pomps of war.
The grave and wise the feast's intent declare;
For but the jocund and the young are there.
“She comes, she comes,” admiring thousands cry—
The startling trumpets to their shouts reply,—
“Ring, cymbals ring,—resound ye thund'ring drums,—
The Queen of beauty in her glory comes.”
The startling trumpets to their shouts reply,—
“Ring, cymbals ring,—resound ye thund'ring drums,—
The Queen of beauty in her glory comes.”
“When in the eyes of all the Assyrian great,
The dazzling Judith blaz'd in all her state,
With beaming smiles she cheer'd, and shining said:
“My lowly life till now hath droop'd in shade—
But here noon-sunshine banishes the sight,
And my glad spirit revels in delight.”
The dazzling Judith blaz'd in all her state,
With beaming smiles she cheer'd, and shining said:
“My lowly life till now hath droop'd in shade—
But here noon-sunshine banishes the sight,
And my glad spirit revels in delight.”
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Love strains musicians then impassion'd sung,—
Gay, from the tent, the joyous chorus rung,—
And sounds, melodious, in the calm arose,
Sweet, as the breeze from blooming Sharon blows;
Thus pleasure bright'ning, rapt, triumphant reign'd—
There Hope with ecstasy was almost pain'd.
The ravish'd bold felt flying Time annoy,
And Holifernes brimm'd the Cup of Joy.
Gay, from the tent, the joyous chorus rung,—
And sounds, melodious, in the calm arose,
Sweet, as the breeze from blooming Sharon blows;
Thus pleasure bright'ning, rapt, triumphant reign'd—
There Hope with ecstasy was almost pain'd.
The ravish'd bold felt flying Time annoy,
And Holifernes brimm'd the Cup of Joy.
But sleep is needful to the happiest heart,
And hours of bliss, as glittering wings, depart.
The guests retir'd,—old Bazoas hath spread
The furr'd temptation of the fragrant bed;
And Judith, vigilant, serene, sublime,
Nerves her great spirit for the holy crime.
And hours of bliss, as glittering wings, depart.
The guests retir'd,—old Bazoas hath spread
The furr'd temptation of the fragrant bed;
And Judith, vigilant, serene, sublime,
Nerves her great spirit for the holy crime.
She sees the tent to her dominion given,
And upward looks, as if reminding Heaven;
For on the couch, betray'd by wine, asleep,
She saw the brave, and scarce forbear to weep.
And upward looks, as if reminding Heaven;
For on the couch, betray'd by wine, asleep,
She saw the brave, and scarce forbear to weep.
Now, with a patriot's firm determin'd hand,
She grasps the vengeance of his warrior band,
And cries—“assist me God, that is the Lord”—
His head was hers, and bloody dropp'd the sword.
She grasps the vengeance of his warrior band,
And cries—“assist me God, that is the Lord”—
His head was hers, and bloody dropp'd the sword.
Within the sack, in which was brought her fare,
She plac'd the head; and conscious that her pray'r
Was heard on high, forsook the dreadful tent,
And to her maid, without, in tears, she went:—
“Arise, let us go forth to pray,” she cried—
And anxious, to the fountains seeming hied.
But soon aside they left the wonted road,
And to Bethulia fast and faster strode,—
“Unclose the gates,” she cried with nerving voice,
God is with Israel, rejoice! rejoice!”
She plac'd the head; and conscious that her pray'r
Was heard on high, forsook the dreadful tent,
And to her maid, without, in tears, she went:—
“Arise, let us go forth to pray,” she cried—
And anxious, to the fountains seeming hied.
But soon aside they left the wonted road,
And to Bethulia fast and faster strode,—
“Unclose the gates,” she cried with nerving voice,
God is with Israel, rejoice! rejoice!”
The gates unclos'd—through all the gathering town,
Triumphant victory hath shouting flown.
The young, the old, the virtuous and the frail,
And maids and matrons, wing the glorious tale.
Afar the Assyrians, in their camp below,
Heard the glad tumults—But a shriek of woe
Rose as they listen'd: cries were heard amain,—
“Slain Holifernes!—Holifernes slain!”
Triumphant victory hath shouting flown.
The young, the old, the virtuous and the frail,
And maids and matrons, wing the glorious tale.
Afar the Assyrians, in their camp below,
Heard the glad tumults—But a shriek of woe
Rose as they listen'd: cries were heard amain,—
“Slain Holifernes!—Holifernes slain!”
Alarm'd; pursued by Horror, scourg'd by Fear,
Death and Destruction hounding in the rear,
Thousands on thousands fled. The angels then
Stood on the mountains, though unseen by men:
And saw the anthems of Bethulia rise
Like incense, grateful, to unclouded skies.
Death and Destruction hounding in the rear,
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Stood on the mountains, though unseen by men:
And saw the anthems of Bethulia rise
Like incense, grateful, to unclouded skies.
| The Demon of Destiny | |