 | The poetical works of James Montgomery |  |
SONNET.
THE CRUCIFIXION.
IMITATED FROM THE ITALIAN OF CRESCIMBENI.
I ask'd the Heavens,—“What foe to God hath done
This unexampled deed?”—The Heavens exclaim,
“'Twas Man;—and we in horror snatch'd the sun
From such a spectacle of guilt and shame.”
This unexampled deed?”—The Heavens exclaim,
“'Twas Man;—and we in horror snatch'd the sun
From such a spectacle of guilt and shame.”
I ask'd the Sea;—the Sea in fury boil'd,
And answer'd with his voice of storms, “'Twas Man:
My waves in panic at his crime recoil'd,
Disclosed the' abyss, and from the centre ran.”
And answer'd with his voice of storms, “'Twas Man:
My waves in panic at his crime recoil'd,
Disclosed the' abyss, and from the centre ran.”
I ask'd the Earth;—the Earth replied, aghast,
“'Twas Man;—and such strange pangs my bosom rent,
That still I groan and shudder at the past.”
—To Man, gay, smiling, thoughtless Man, I went,
And ask'd him next:—He turn'd a scornful eye,
Shook his proud head, and deign'd me no reply.
“'Twas Man;—and such strange pangs my bosom rent,
That still I groan and shudder at the past.”
—To Man, gay, smiling, thoughtless Man, I went,
And ask'd him next:—He turn'd a scornful eye,
Shook his proud head, and deign'd me no reply.
| The poetical works of James Montgomery | |