Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
Permitted then,—yet, in his own fond thought,
Originator sole,—on the blank night
Of the dead sun's great heart, the wretched chief
Of the fall'n host that dark red gleam had waked;
Throughout the vast, even like an atmosphere
Of flame, pervading; whence, in one deep glow,
Gem-clear, the nigh, the distant, equally
Apparent stood; and shadow could be none.
Yet, after their long night of misery,
Silence unbroken, utter loneliness,—
Gladdening as sunrise to night-wandering man,
On the fall'n angels broke that dark red gleam:
Light, blessed light, not, then, for ever lost!
So that, with spirit thrilling, the great voice
Of their proud leader listened they,—wild hope
Stirring of progress sure; and victory yet,
Even o'er the Omnipotent! Despair, a crime
Against themselves, he taught. They had been foiled
By power more mighty, won from knowledge more
Of Nature's causes, workings, instruments.
But, with the ages, to themselves not less
Would wisdom come—to godhead lifting them;
Till, with power like his own, they might confront
Him who was now their victor; and, perchance,
Down from His Heaven-throne cast Him: or, at least,
Dominion equal gain; o'er one half Heaven
Ruling supreme, as, o'er the other, He.
Originator sole,—on the blank night
Of the dead sun's great heart, the wretched chief
Of the fall'n host that dark red gleam had waked;
Throughout the vast, even like an atmosphere
Of flame, pervading; whence, in one deep glow,
Gem-clear, the nigh, the distant, equally
Apparent stood; and shadow could be none.
Yet, after their long night of misery,
Silence unbroken, utter loneliness,—
Gladdening as sunrise to night-wandering man,
On the fall'n angels broke that dark red gleam:
Light, blessed light, not, then, for ever lost!
So that, with spirit thrilling, the great voice
Of their proud leader listened they,—wild hope
Stirring of progress sure; and victory yet,
Even o'er the Omnipotent! Despair, a crime
Against themselves, he taught. They had been foiled
By power more mighty, won from knowledge more
Of Nature's causes, workings, instruments.
But, with the ages, to themselves not less
Would wisdom come—to godhead lifting them;
Till, with power like his own, they might confront
6
Down from His Heaven-throne cast Him: or, at least,
Dominion equal gain; o'er one half Heaven
Ruling supreme, as, o'er the other, He.
| Israel in Egypt | |