University of Virginia Library

previous section The Descent into Hell
next section
97

II.1.

Her radiant Brother gains his highest noon,
And, at Thy bidding, hasteneth to his gaol,—
And, like a martyr, hails his fiery boon,
(Wherewith the mountain burneth like a coal,)
And sets in flame; soon to renew his race,
And, like a hero who hath run the whole,
To die again in light, and pride of place,
And glory, as he lived. Darkness God makes;
Yea, this unnatural Night that shades Noon's face,
It is His work—whereat the firm Earth quakes
In dread of dissolution—as light's car
It is to him—'tis He the earth who shakes,
Who watereth from his chambers high and far
The hills; and into the deep vale that sinks
'Twixt them, irriguous and irregular,
Who sendeth springs, whereat the field-beast drinks,
His thirst the wild ass quenches, and whereby,
Among the branches foliaging their brinks,
The fowls of heaven do blend their harmony;
Who makes to soar the vapours, and in might
Brings forth the winds out of his armoury.

II.2.

Hushed are the forest-beasts, in hunger's spite,
Yea, the young lions roar not for their prey;
They seek not food from God, this worse than night,
But couch close in their dens with strange dismay.
In whirlwind, and in earthquake, and in fire,
And in the darkness and the silence, they
98

Are conscious of Thy presence, and retire,
Nor wait the Sun's bright resurrection, ere
They gather in their caves;..if thy fierce ire
Permit, again he chase them to their lair,
As wont ere this amiss,—O Thou to whom
Vengeance belongs! Yet to thy love repair
All Creatures, for the blessings which relume
Life daily—yet is thy spirit in man express,
—Free Bounty gives not, only to resume—
Though now the thunder of thy mightiness,
Which none can understand, astonish him,
And Judgement, from thy throne in heaven's recess,
Have been heard by the potent Seraphim,
And the earth's echoes answered unto thee:
Hell before thee is bare in every limb:
Destruction hath no covering.—But He,
Who dwelleth in thy secret place, abides,
Under thy shadow, in security.

II.3.

The Pestilence that in the darkness hides,
The Death which wastes at noon day, pass him by;
He treads upon the adder, and derides
The lion's rage. Thou, Helper! now art nigh,
Though he be poured like water, though his heart
Melt forth like wax,—in this extremity.
—Thou didst preserve him, when, with curious art,
Imperfect substance in its energies,
Fearfully wrought in the Earth's lowest part.
99

Thou numberest every hair, each member lies,
While yet unfashioned, written in thy book,
In its continuance and dependencies.
And thou art he who thence thy Chosen took,
And made him hope upon his mother's breast;
Even from the womb, as to a Sire Sons look,
He looked to thee—Thou wert his God confest.
—To Him, who dying conquereth...all hail!
Son of the Virgin; Hero of the Blest!
Over the gates of Death and Hell prevail:
Warrior! who hast alone the wine press trod.
Reign, Victor-Victim! reign, when Time shall fail,
Reign,—perfect Man—Messiah—Saviour—God!
previous section The Descent into Hell
next section