 | Mansoul or The Riddle of the World |  |
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Book 6: Mansouls Dream City
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I borne was forth then, ín much mingled Press,
Of cítizen dream-souls, fróm their Market-place;
Which sued with Mansoul, towards the Acropolis.
Of cítizen dream-souls, fróm their Market-place;
Which sued with Mansoul, towards the Acropolis.
Founded was that on white great marble cliff:
Whereon, on this part, stood the Parliament House;
With majesty of more than craftsmens handiwork.
Whereon, on this part, stood the Parliament House;
With majesty of more than craftsmens handiwork.
A two-fold flight of sculptured steps ascended;
To that Basilica-like proud Edifice:
Wherein appeared bright golden stately porch;
Not builded, but with chisel only wrought.
And seemed likewise, óf the same living rock;
The many-chambered marble colonnades;
Which joined, thereto, as wings, on either part.
To that Basilica-like proud Edifice:
Wherein appeared bright golden stately porch;
Not builded, but with chisel only wrought.
And seemed likewise, óf the same living rock;
The many-chambered marble colonnades;
Which joined, thereto, as wings, on either part.
And whiles I gazed, Mansoul I saw mount up,
Alone by the degrees. And at the height;
To meet him, stand Dream-Citys purpled Senate.
Worship and dignity was in their high looks.
All entered then, and thé great gates were shut.
Whose two-leaved doors, of fretted cedar-work,
Gold-ringed, with noble bronze bedight in part;
(And that gem-set, with azure stars and flowers;)
Upon their brazen sockets, silent rolled
Had to.
Alone by the degrees. And at the height;
To meet him, stand Dream-Citys purpled Senate.
Worship and dignity was in their high looks.
All entered then, and thé great gates were shut.
Whose two-leaved doors, of fretted cedar-work,
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(And that gem-set, with azure stars and flowers;)
Upon their brazen sockets, silent rolled
Had to.
On the large alabaster step,
I watched an hour without, but all for naught:
Came Mansoul and the Council no more forth.
The entáblature I márked and pediment fair adorned,
With inlaid portraitures of Worlds righteous spirits;
And crystal-clear were pillars underset.
Whose chapiters were, of copper-smiths cunning-work;
Gilt leaves, adorned.
I watched an hour without, but all for naught:
Came Mansoul and the Council no more forth.
The entáblature I márked and pediment fair adorned,
With inlaid portraitures of Worlds righteous spirits;
And crystal-clear were pillars underset.
Whose chapiters were, of copper-smiths cunning-work;
Gilt leaves, adorned.
Mine eyes, from that high terrace,
Surveyed Dream-Citys Prospect forth; great Maze,
Of hundred streets beneath, 'twixt clustered roofs;
But soon anéw I felt impelled my steps;
On that high chambered marble colonnade;
Which on the right hand was.
Surveyed Dream-Citys Prospect forth; great Maze,
Of hundred streets beneath, 'twixt clustered roofs;
But soon anéw I felt impelled my steps;
On that high chambered marble colonnade;
Which on the right hand was.
First, I was stayed;
Where men severe of port, Philosophers,
Conférred of Mans estate. A little group,
Next whom I stood, (Hellenes,) entreated thus:
Where men severe of port, Philosophers,
Conférred of Mans estate. A little group,
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. . . Renouncing all, whereof Man hath no need;
Lifted above base ferment of birth-flesh;
Made subject rédeemed human sense thenceforth,
Unto every good intent: might, with souls health,
Man best approach to Wisdoms perfect source.
And the Hinges of the World, with patient steps,
Ascending from things known, take knowledge of.
Lifted above base ferment of birth-flesh;
Made subject rédeemed human sense thenceforth,
Unto every good intent: might, with souls health,
Man best approach to Wisdoms perfect source.
And the Hinges of the World, with patient steps,
Ascending from things known, take knowledge of.
Some there I viewed, which stood, by twos and threes,
Them night, that would be counted of their part.
But little had they wrought of wórthy work.
I looked, and presently those became a masque;
Which púrsued after painted butterflies.
Each then his sovereign Remedy loud professed;
When he had caught a fly, of human ills.
I marvelled, how théy passed the Citys Watch!
Them night, that would be counted of their part.
But little had they wrought of wórthy work.
I looked, and presently those became a masque;
Which púrsued after painted butterflies.
Each then his sovereign Remedy loud professed;
When he had caught a fly, of human ills.
I marvelled, how théy passed the Citys Watch!
Went further forth, I stayed with peace of spirit;
Beneath domed Chamber, on whose azure walls;
Pourtrayed were the night-seasons starry signs.
Wherein, past Reasons reach, may eyes of flesh;
That wheeling Temple, of the Firmament;
Mens thousand ages' dread Astonishment!
Behold! Eternity visible to Mankind:
And Architecture of the Universe;
Governed by immutable Laws, (might we them read!)
Beneath domed Chamber, on whose azure walls;
Pourtrayed were the night-seasons starry signs.
Wherein, past Reasons reach, may eyes of flesh;
That wheeling Temple, of the Firmament;
Mens thousand ages' dread Astonishment!
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And Architecture of the Universe;
Governed by immutable Laws, (might we them read!)
Within, Nights lifelong faithful Watchers sate;
Sons of Urania, ambrosial heavenly Muse.
Great-souled, large-browed, attent; it was their part,
Beholding reverent fróm Earths tiding Round
That sovereign March of Heavens Firmament:
The supreme works to Chronicle, óf the SIRE
Of men and Gods.
Sons of Urania, ambrosial heavenly Muse.
Great-souled, large-browed, attent; it was their part,
Beholding reverent fróm Earths tiding Round
That sovereign March of Heavens Firmament:
The supreme works to Chronicle, óf the SIRE
Of men and Gods.
Whilst World self-shadowed sleeps,
Till tardy day awake; sáve the lone voice,
Of elemental winds, waves, water-brooks:
Gazing, through their perspective tubes, they may pierce;
The amazing Vision of heavens starry coast!
Till tardy day awake; sáve the lone voice,
Of elemental winds, waves, water-brooks:
Gazing, through their perspective tubes, they may pierce;
The amazing Vision of heavens starry coast!
And being their discipline, that alone which doth;
Of mens school-doctrines, stand without debate,
Of inept tongues, which better fed than taught:
They of Times, the everlasting Ordinance,
Predict; and can, in Balances of the Mind,
Poise even Earths Mass; compute celestial paths
And numbers supputate, which exceeding thought;
Can only, in empty ciphers be expressed.
I in next chamber, many found assembled;
Of mens school-doctrines, stand without debate,
Of inept tongues, which better fed than taught:
They of Times, the everlasting Ordinance,
Predict; and can, in Balances of the Mind,
Poise even Earths Mass; compute celestial paths
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Can only, in empty ciphers be expressed.
And listened, in that doorway leaned, to hear;
Their lore. Disputed was, whence Sun and Stars,
Their being had derived. As whether were,
An infinite elemental Mist, the Source;
Of this material visible Universe.
And some there were, who maintained thus; that Earth
From Sun, condensed to a great flaming Bulk;
As clay from Potters wheel, had been whirled-off:
And body of the Moon likewise, from Earth.
Fell ceaseless rains, on molten Earths chilled Round,
Conglobed; and rivers ran down, from all heights;
And became meres, and those to seas increased.
Whose storm-beat boisterous surges, lifted up;
Whelmed on first Lava-cliffs, in cataracts:
And thereto Her great streaming water-courses;
Gnawed much warp forth, in Morning of the World:
Warp, that in countless æons, layed layer on layer;
Was spread mile-deep, on Seas abysmal ground:
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And yet is ever full Earths great round Rind;
Of bowels of molten ores, whose swelling force
Is cause that shaken and riven is oft Her face;
Through tension of that planetary dross.
A certain young man standing mongst them spake:
Such day have I in mind of Etnas wrath.
Voices.
We would hear that.
Young Man.
A Summers night of stars,
It was, wherein I had painfully thróugh long hours,
With mule and guide, climbed on the mountains flanks.
Reached to an height whereas all husbandry ceased;
Before us only rose, that great last Steep,
With sulphur strewed, of Etnas cinder-cone.
Beside our path, appeared (now chill midnight;)
A shelter-cots rude walls of cinder blocks.
Our meaning was, therein, awhile to rest.
And leaving tied the mule, ascend afoot;
And reach, ere day, His cragged utmost crest:
And from those horrid cliffs, surview far out;
Trinacria, and great Italias mighty Foot;
And Etnas ímmense shadow on the Dawn-mist;
That sun-rising should cast: and look from thence,
In the huge hollow mountains Gulf, downforth.
It was, wherein I had painfully thróugh long hours,
With mule and guide, climbed on the mountains flanks.
Reached to an height whereas all husbandry ceased;
Before us only rose, that great last Steep,
With sulphur strewed, of Etnas cinder-cone.
Beside our path, appeared (now chill midnight;)
A shelter-cots rude walls of cinder blocks.
Our meaning was, therein, awhile to rest.
And leaving tied the mule, ascend afoot;
And reach, ere day, His cragged utmost crest:
And from those horrid cliffs, surview far out;
Trinacria, and great Italias mighty Foot;
And Etnas ímmense shadow on the Dawn-mist;
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In the huge hollow mountains Gulf, downforth.
Dismounted in dim twilight, and about
To enter in that roofless lodge; the ground
Reeled underfoot, and seemed above our heads
To nod the stars: again with rumour deep
The ground seemed shaken, and stagger under us.
To enter in that roofless lodge; the ground
Reeled underfoot, and seemed above our heads
To nod the stars: again with rumour deep
The ground seemed shaken, and stagger under us.
Cried that Siciliot, having found his wit;
And laid strong sudden hand on his mule-beast:
Mount! Ætna will erupt; to tarry is death!
Mount thou! and grant us Heaven, we perish not.
And laid strong sudden hand on his mule-beast:
Mount! Ætna will erupt; to tarry is death!
Mount thou! and grant us Heaven, we perish not.
Headlong then breathless fugitives, we contended,
To outgo that fearful peril, in night-murk;
And stumbling oft, beyond, above, all paths:
Downward, aye downward, towards the mountains foot.
To outgo that fearful peril, in night-murk;
And stumbling oft, beyond, above, all paths:
Downward, aye downward, towards the mountains foot.
Hour-long we strove thus: detonations dread
Amazed our ears: corroding sulphurous fume
Us overtook; and seemed púrsue our steps.
When first, nigh spent, we durst pause tó draw breath;
We had gained a downward mile; and gazing back,
A league-wide horror and fury of flame and smoke;
Saw, issuing from vast Ætnas burning crest.
Amazed our ears: corroding sulphurous fume
Us overtook; and seemed púrsue our steps.
When first, nigh spent, we durst pause tó draw breath;
We had gained a downward mile; and gazing back,
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Saw, issuing from vast Ætnas burning crest.
Might mortal eye it survey from on height:
Should not that old-heaped, cliff-bound fearful Gulf;
Seem a fiery boiling caldron, lava-lake:
With heaving film, of molten iron dross;
Risen from infernal bowels of Mother Earth;
Through two-miles' stature of the hollow mount.
Should not that old-heaped, cliff-bound fearful Gulf;
Seem a fiery boiling caldron, lava-lake:
With heaving film, of molten iron dross;
Risen from infernal bowels of Mother Earth;
Through two-miles' stature of the hollow mount.
New thundrous immense din, is in our ears;
Of that rent films shards, launcht in the element:
With startling blasts, as were they cannon-shots.
Of that rent films shards, launcht in the element:
With startling blasts, as were they cannon-shots.
Terrific conflagration! whereunto
No flesh might more approach. Should, in such moment,
To a cinder, his mortal being be consumed!
No flesh might more approach. Should, in such moment,
To a cinder, his mortal being be consumed!
When next in downward flight for life, we halt
And glance back: hid from view is Ætnas height;
In bellowing gloom, of fiery uprolling smoke;
Wherefrom dart ceaseless quivering lightnings forth.
And glance back: hid from view is Ætnas height;
In bellowing gloom, of fiery uprolling smoke;
Wherefrom dart ceaseless quivering lightnings forth.
Was then from Ætnas cinder-flanks above;
Flowed down an horrid molten-footed flood;
Inévitable creeping lava-tide:
That licketh all up, before his withering course.
Nor builded work, nor rampire cast in haste;
Of thousand mens hands, might, and they were helped
Of unborn-Angels, súffice to hold back;
That devastating, soulless, impious march
Of molten dross.
Flowed down an horrid molten-footed flood;
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That licketh all up, before his withering course.
Nor builded work, nor rampire cast in haste;
Of thousand mens hands, might, and they were helped
Of unborn-Angels, súffice to hold back;
That devastating, soulless, impious march
Of molten dross.
Dwellers round Ætnas roots;
(His, four days' journeys round encompassing Plain:)
Roused by that fearful uproar and midnight noise;
From tottering bedsteads leapt, have rushed, half-clad,
Abroad.
(His, four days' journeys round encompassing Plain:)
Roused by that fearful uproar and midnight noise;
From tottering bedsteads leapt, have rushed, half-clad,
Abroad.
In silence, in awed knots, they watch;
Ætna from far-off, kindled in the skies;
(Such as years gone they heard their fathers tell!)
Whilst men gaze on, with cold and fainting hearts;
Folding their hands, with trembling lips, to Heaven:
Not few lament their toilful years, undone;
Those fields o'erwhelmed, wherein their livelihood.
Other enquire; if this were that last fire,
Divine; whose wrath, is writ, should end the world?
Ætna from far-off, kindled in the skies;
(Such as years gone they heard their fathers tell!)
Whilst men gaze on, with cold and fainting hearts;
Folding their hands, with trembling lips, to Heaven:
Not few lament their toilful years, undone;
Those fields o'erwhelmed, wherein their livelihood.
Other enquire; if this were that last fire,
Divine; whose wrath, is writ, should end the world?
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Groping in night-like gloom, to lower league:
'T is there we halt, where first found mens trode paths.
Ætna is raging ever more and more!
Uprushing wreathing, teeming train blown out
And spread large forth, cloud-canopy of Hellish smoke:
(Like to a pine tree, as that Siciliot quoth;)
Huge roaring fury of His Titanic throat:
O'er lurid glow of hidden fires beneath.
'T is there we halt, where first found mens trode paths.
Ætna is raging ever more and more!
Uprushing wreathing, teeming train blown out
And spread large forth, cloud-canopy of Hellish smoke:
(Like to a pine tree, as that Siciliot quoth;)
Huge roaring fury of His Titanic throat:
O'er lurid glow of hidden fires beneath.
Nor cease those vast heart-beats, in immane deeps
Of Ætna in travail: in this Circuit of
Worlds crust; as were it would Earth cast us forth.
Of Ætna in travail: in this Circuit of
Worlds crust; as were it would Earth cast us forth.
Fell on our eyeballs then so thick sharp dust:
A man the cinder-ground might see uneath;
Nor the uplifted hand, that shields his face.
For thunders' din, none hears now his own voice;
Nor his companions words, how loud he shout.
A man the cinder-ground might see uneath;
Nor the uplifted hand, that shields his face.
For thunders' din, none hears now his own voice;
Nor his companions words, how loud he shout.
To make my telling short; days midst was past;
And over all prevailed deep gloom as night;
When we attained, at length, the mountains foot;
And our first safety sought, in a walled town;
And needful rest and meat.
And over all prevailed deep gloom as night;
When we attained, at length, the mountains foot;
And our first safety sought, in a walled town;
And needful rest and meat.
Was the same eve,
We heard, how ascending certain hapless wights,
Towards their plots, on Ætnas cinder-steeps;
All suddenly, á dire rain of fiery dust;
Did on them light and deadly them invest.
Which like sparks glowing from a furnace pierced
Their coats and fretted through to the quick flesh.
Scorched unto death, those perished miserably thus.
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Towards their plots, on Ætnas cinder-steeps;
All suddenly, á dire rain of fiery dust;
Did on them light and deadly them invest.
Which like sparks glowing from a furnace pierced
Their coats and fretted through to the quick flesh.
Scorched unto death, those perished miserably thus.
Men lived on in a twilight World-dismayed,
Then many days, all traffic well-nigh ceased;
Days that seemed nights: and when hour was to sleep;
We alway in dread, of kindled skies above;
With Ætnas roaring ever in our ears;
(Like ceaseless weary sound, of storm-bound shore;)
Lay down unrestful ón still rocking beds.
Then many days, all traffic well-nigh ceased;
Days that seemed nights: and when hour was to sleep;
We alway in dread, of kindled skies above;
With Ætnas roaring ever in our ears;
(Like ceaseless weary sound, of storm-bound shore;)
Lay down unrestful ón still rocking beds.
When dawn was by the clock and men arose;
To daze another day on throbbing Earth:
We looked still on blind skies and blackened streets.
And housewives, from their doors, more cinder dust;
(Whose powder lay on every chamber-floor;)
Swept forth, on squalid heaps, as snow in frost.
Voices.
To daze another day on throbbing Earth:
We looked still on blind skies and blackened streets.
And housewives, from their doors, more cinder dust;
(Whose powder lay on every chamber-floor;)
Swept forth, on squalid heaps, as snow in frost.
The young man sayeth sooth. To see so much
Of Natures soulless elemental Force;
That can lift Continénts, and Sea-grounds abase;
Falleth unto few: so narrow are our days,
But naught immutable is. Like as a seed,
All that is, works, though hid, and moves and tends
Circling, without cease, meeting, without end.
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That can lift Continénts, and Sea-grounds abase;
Falleth unto few: so narrow are our days,
But naught immutable is. Like as a seed,
All that is, works, though hid, and moves and tends
Circling, without cease, meeting, without end.
Tremblings of Earths únstable Frame are rife;
Even daily, albeit not sensible unto us;
Though révealed by our réfined instruments.
(Nay is Ætna but a pimple, on Earths Face.)
Even daily, albeit not sensible unto us;
Though révealed by our réfined instruments.
(Nay is Ætna but a pimple, on Earths Face.)
New threshold passed, their cheerful looks I marked;
Which busied, in much throbbing chamber sate.
Heirs of those giants, which wrested at the first;
The Keys of Heaven, from the ancient Gods.
All full of running wheel-work, was that bower.
Tread of those soulless engines, in one hour;
Wrought more than might mens hands, in a round year;
For the Worlds welfare.
Men of ínsight there;
Founders and Builders sate of a New Era:
Searchers of hid things, in seld trodden paths;
Weaving the subtle gossamer óf their minds.
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Discern, (or of soul-voice, which in them, taught;)
Aught, that by likelihood, might serve mankind:
They abide, and study to it bring to pass.
Though lamps themselves of little-enduring clay;
They ply their witty hands and blow to flame,
Each elect spark, which kindles in their breasts:
Whence further Light. They bridle, they even compel
Earths elements, tó yield their Titanic force;
Obey their list and execute all their hests.
By that same doorway, passed few sighing spirits
Whose hope had died, in Wínter of their hearts.
I heard some of the harms, which they professed.
| Mansoul or The Riddle of the World | |