 | Israel in Egypt |  |
But not, as yet, the pitying Deity
Their bonds thought fit to loose. From this terrene
Right up toward heaven, as easily might man
Ascend, and skirt the stars, as, from their place
Of banishment, might those fall'n Spirits depart.
Attempt they made; but,—by the Power withheld,—
Beyond the outside of their dungeon orb
No more could stir, than, from an iron mass,
Its grains could part, and, like winged insects, take
Their separate tracks through air. Dejection deep
Sank then on all. Again, through many an age,
Silent, and wandering lone, and dead to hope,
Mourned the fall'n angels;—Heaven for ever lost,
Weeping, as Spirits weep: of mercy none,
Less of forgiveness, thinking: and no more
Of growing strength expectant; such as, yet,
Might from their dungeon aid them to escape;
And, somewhere in the orbs of life and light,
New course begin; less dolorous, even though glimpse
Of brighter prospect, nigher to Heaven's bounds,
Never should gladden them. Remorse they felt;
Yet, less for sin, as wrong against their God,
Their Maker, the Great Fountain of all Good,—
Than as the source of their own misery;
Their loss of Heaven; their dread captivity
In that gaunt skeleton, that realm of death,
Mid everlasting night. Long ages, long,
Thus miserable they.
Their bonds thought fit to loose. From this terrene
Right up toward heaven, as easily might man
Ascend, and skirt the stars, as, from their place
Of banishment, might those fall'n Spirits depart.
Attempt they made; but,—by the Power withheld,—
Beyond the outside of their dungeon orb
No more could stir, than, from an iron mass,
Its grains could part, and, like winged insects, take
Their separate tracks through air. Dejection deep
Sank then on all. Again, through many an age,
Silent, and wandering lone, and dead to hope,
Mourned the fall'n angels;—Heaven for ever lost,
Weeping, as Spirits weep: of mercy none,
Less of forgiveness, thinking: and no more
Of growing strength expectant; such as, yet,
Might from their dungeon aid them to escape;
And, somewhere in the orbs of life and light,
New course begin; less dolorous, even though glimpse
Of brighter prospect, nigher to Heaven's bounds,
Never should gladden them. Remorse they felt;
Yet, less for sin, as wrong against their God,
Their Maker, the Great Fountain of all Good,—
Than as the source of their own misery;
7
In that gaunt skeleton, that realm of death,
Mid everlasting night. Long ages, long,
Thus miserable they.
The time, at length,
By the All Merciful decreed, was come.
Somewhat had penitence the Spirits touched,
By misery bowed; and, though Omniscience knew,
How, greater freedom given, would pride arise;
How the plague-tainted Spirits, their disease,
Throughout a world yet uncreate; and man,
Its destined habitant, would haste to spread;—
Yet, all the depths of the eternal years
Clearly beholding, as the immediate Now;
And the great consummation—Evil made
To work out finally a greater good;
Fullness of joy throughout His Universe,—
Else, had Omnipotence failed, Omniscience erred;
The All Merciful, more than man been merciless,—
Beholding thus,—by pity moved, nay love
For even those rebellious, folly struck,—
Their great, their heaviest fetters He bade drop.
By the All Merciful decreed, was come.
Somewhat had penitence the Spirits touched,
By misery bowed; and, though Omniscience knew,
How, greater freedom given, would pride arise;
How the plague-tainted Spirits, their disease,
Throughout a world yet uncreate; and man,
Its destined habitant, would haste to spread;—
Yet, all the depths of the eternal years
Clearly beholding, as the immediate Now;
And the great consummation—Evil made
To work out finally a greater good;
Fullness of joy throughout His Universe,—
Else, had Omnipotence failed, Omniscience erred;
The All Merciful, more than man been merciless,—
Beholding thus,—by pity moved, nay love
For even those rebellious, folly struck,—
Their great, their heaviest fetters He bade drop.
| Israel in Egypt | |