The Descent into Hell Second Edition, Revised and Re-arranged, with an Analysis and Notes: To which are added, Uriel, a Fragment and Three Odes. By John A. Heraud |
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| I. |
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 | II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. | PART THE FIFTH.
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| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
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 | The Descent into Hell |  |
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V. PART THE FIFTH.
THE RESTORATION.
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“And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as the dream of a night-vision.
It shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.”
Isaiah xxix. 7—8.147
XIII. ADAM.
Now from Seth's Mountain had the visions past;
—Of Hades, and Earth's phantasm, and the train
On Calvary, together with that last
—Of Hades, and Earth's phantasm, and the train
On Calvary, together with that last
Sad rite paid to the Son of Man, thus slain,
That he redemption might on man bestow—
And Ardis shone in glory forth again.
That he redemption might on man bestow—
And Ardis shone in glory forth again.
—As from a Throne, on the Hill's crested brow,
Sublime, the Father of Mankind addrest
His Children, to his voice attentive now.
Sublime, the Father of Mankind addrest
His Children, to his voice attentive now.
“God made not Death;..but what he made he blest,
And, that they might have being, did decree
Undying Health, and unrevolving Rest.
And, that they might have being, did decree
Undying Health, and unrevolving Rest.
Nor is Death's kingdom on the Earth, for me
God made immortal as his righteousness.
An image of his own eternity,
God made immortal as his righteousness.
An image of his own eternity,
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Whose generations die not nor increase,
But are for ever; hence, in every place
And time, apparent, thorough all degrees.
But are for ever; hence, in every place
And time, apparent, thorough all degrees.
—Paternal Love! of old I loved thy face,
When dwelt thy Word with Man, and was the Law
Of Wisdom to the Soul. In thine embrace
When dwelt thy Word with Man, and was the Law
Of Wisdom to the Soul. In thine embrace
I blessedly reposed, and Vision saw
Of Excellence whereunto I uplooked,
And Beauty that attracted with its awe.
Of Excellence whereunto I uplooked,
And Beauty that attracted with its awe.
Author of Beauty! free and unrebuked,
I communed with thy glory, and my heart
Rejoiced in thee;..and thou its homage brooked.
I communed with thy glory, and my heart
Rejoiced in thee;..and thou its homage brooked.
For thou as merciful as mighty art!
Before thee the huge World is as a grain
Of sand beside the ocean—yea, its chart
Before thee the huge World is as a grain
Of sand beside the ocean—yea, its chart
Of vale and mountain, firmament and main,
Is as a globule of the morning dew
That drops upon the earth its tiny rain.
Is as a globule of the morning dew
That drops upon the earth its tiny rain.
And who shall question thee, or judge thee who?
For thou art God alone, and on thy Power
All righteousness and Justice must ensue,
For thou art God alone, and on thy Power
All righteousness and Justice must ensue,
But, mastering thine omnipotence, broods o'er
All thy Creation Mercy uncreate,
For thou createdst all, and shalt restore.
All thy Creation Mercy uncreate,
For thou createdst all, and shalt restore.
Father! Thy love to men shall not abate—
Thou willst, they are; thou speakst, and they endure—
Lover of Souls! so they reciprocate.
Thou willst, they are; thou speakst, and they endure—
Lover of Souls! so they reciprocate.
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—How lovely in thy Beauty, bright and pure!
In Thee my being had its Home and Heaven,
A habitation suitable and sure,
In Thee my being had its Home and Heaven,
A habitation suitable and sure,
Thou madest my heart thy temple, morn and even,
And I with thine eternal Wisdom dwelt
In thy capacious bosom..I was graven
And I with thine eternal Wisdom dwelt
In thy capacious bosom..I was graven
Upon thy holy palms, and ever felt
Thy Spirit incorruptible pervade
My Spirit, and into mine essence melt,
Thy Spirit incorruptible pervade
My Spirit, and into mine essence melt,
Blending in one emotion, interplayed,
The human and divine; one Love, one Will,
Uniting both, and without Law obeyed.
The human and divine; one Love, one Will,
Uniting both, and without Law obeyed.
And all my finite substance Thou didst fill
And circumscribe with thine Infinitude,
Eternally incomprehensible.
And circumscribe with thine Infinitude,
Eternally incomprehensible.
Ever in thine eternal bosom wooed
To full felicity, and there enjoying
Love, without fear, and without evil, Good.
To full felicity, and there enjoying
Love, without fear, and without evil, Good.
Ever thy love excelling, and destroying
Human perfection with its mere excess,
Though inexhaustible yet never cloying,
Human perfection with its mere excess,
Though inexhaustible yet never cloying,
Until the Creature be consumed by stress
Of that absorbing fire, lost in the God,
And to itself be very nothingness.
Of that absorbing fire, lost in the God,
And to itself be very nothingness.
—Included as the waves within the flood,
Kept in its centre, neighboured yet alone;
My Spirit, by thy holy Will withstood,
Kept in its centre, neighboured yet alone;
My Spirit, by thy holy Will withstood,
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Most graciously concurring with my own,
Maintained its outbirth, though embraced in thee,
The Generator,..dwelt apart, self-known.
Maintained its outbirth, though embraced in thee,
The Generator,..dwelt apart, self-known.
—So my Soul travelled through the mystery
Of her existence, fondly measuring
Its depths and heights and its capacity;
Of her existence, fondly measuring
Its depths and heights and its capacity;
Mazed in herself, a solitary thing,
Stirred into action by its plastick Will,
And warmed to life by Love's awakening.
Stirred into action by its plastick Will,
And warmed to life by Love's awakening.
For Love is Life's deep essence, quicker still
Than Life to quicken, wont with Life to teem;
And my heart ached with its mysterious thrill.
Than Life to quicken, wont with Life to teem;
And my heart ached with its mysterious thrill.
—I was alone, and over all supreme,
Yet feeling in my spirit such desire,
As kept me waking, but as in a dream,
Yet feeling in my spirit such desire,
As kept me waking, but as in a dream,
To look upon mine Image. So the Fire
Wrought in me, I was as a God, and felt
Heroick scorn of earth and her attire.
Wrought in me, I was as a God, and felt
Heroick scorn of earth and her attire.
Amidst the Works which are thy words, I dwelt
Unsatisfied. The Glory of the Sun;
The Pride of th' Height, whereto men since have knelt;
Unsatisfied. The Glory of the Sun;
The Pride of th' Height, whereto men since have knelt;
The Clearness of the Firmament; the One
Ethereal Arch; the Majesty of the Noon;
Clouds with their changes, and the Sky with none;
Ethereal Arch; the Majesty of the Noon;
Clouds with their changes, and the Sky with none;
The Starry Dance, the Beauty of the Moon;
The marvellous works of the Omnipotent,
Spake to my soul in a despised tune:
The marvellous works of the Omnipotent,
Spake to my soul in a despised tune:
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She to herself a nobler monument,
A personal Marvel and a Mystery,
Conscious of power divinely excellent,
A personal Marvel and a Mystery,
Conscious of power divinely excellent,
And of dominion given unto me
Over all Elements. Had I not seen
Thee, their Creator, and conversed with thee?
Over all Elements. Had I not seen
Thee, their Creator, and conversed with thee?
Greater, more glorious, lovelier, more serene,—
More terrible in majesty and might,—
Than these—than all. When hath thine Equal been?
More terrible in majesty and might,—
Than these—than all. When hath thine Equal been?
Subtler than Motion—swifter than the Light—
Stronger than Fire—above thy Works thou art,
And who can magnify thy name aright?
Stronger than Fire—above thy Works thou art,
And who can magnify thy name aright?
For thou art All—yet these of thee no part—
And there are hid yet greater things than these—
Thou givest Wisdom to the godly heart!
And there are hid yet greater things than these—
Thou givest Wisdom to the godly heart!
—The Symbol of my Thought that might appease
My longing was not in them. Not in them
My Image, though of God the images.
My longing was not in them. Not in them
My Image, though of God the images.
I called the Fowls of Air,..'twas not in them!
I questioned of the Beasts of Earth,..in vain;
They were not to my mind, nor of my stem.
I questioned of the Beasts of Earth,..in vain;
They were not to my mind, nor of my stem.
I ruled them as a God in my domain;
I knew their natures, and prescribed their names,
But shared not in their joys and did disdain.
I knew their natures, and prescribed their names,
But shared not in their joys and did disdain.
—And so I was companionless..and flames
Of fire stirred in my Soul. Eternal Father!
Who of thyself didst generate the frames
Of fire stirred in my Soul. Eternal Father!
Who of thyself didst generate the frames
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Of various Life—if that thou hearst not rather
One Life, one Form of thy coeval Love,
And in thy Word that all Creation gather—
One Life, one Form of thy coeval Love,
And in thy Word that all Creation gather—
How teemed my heart thou sawst, and how it strove
To be delivered of its lovely freight.
Then formless, void and darkling;..from above
To be delivered of its lovely freight.
Then formless, void and darkling;..from above
No light vouchsafed; not understood 'till late,
And unrevealed to sense; nor knew I how
Their objects our affections do create.—
And unrevealed to sense; nor knew I how
Their objects our affections do create.—
—O Saviour! by thine Agony, which now
Welled from thee in the Garden, ere thou slept,
And from thy side a broader stream might flow!
Welled from thee in the Garden, ere thou slept,
And from thy side a broader stream might flow!
Thou knowst my Passion, and what tears it wept,
Sanguine of Hope! 'till, sick with Love denied,
The dews of Slumber o'er my Spirit crept.
Sanguine of Hope! 'till, sick with Love denied,
The dews of Slumber o'er my Spirit crept.
And, in that trance, from out my wounded side,
The Birth I travailled with, by Power Divine,
Emerged all-beauteous,..Daughter, Sister, Bride!
The Birth I travailled with, by Power Divine,
Emerged all-beauteous,..Daughter, Sister, Bride!
Made of my substance, as thy Church of thine,
Redeemer! who with thine own flesh and blood
Repairst the breach which then I made in mine.
Redeemer! who with thine own flesh and blood
Repairst the breach which then I made in mine.
—Thus, Woman! hast thou ever since been wooed,
By Man, with this disruption of the heart,
This bloody Passion in his Solitude,
By Man, with this disruption of the heart,
This bloody Passion in his Solitude,
This Martyrdom whereof thou feelst but part;
Thy Maker and thy Husband bears the whole,
Death's Sacrament;..and yet his Life thou art!
Thy Maker and thy Husband bears the whole,
Death's Sacrament;..and yet his Life thou art!
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—For unto thee I gave my living Soul:
Deep was the sleep I slept that thou mightst live,
And its baptizing floods had strong control,
Deep was the sleep I slept that thou mightst live,
And its baptizing floods had strong control,
A living death, then quickest to conceive
The Form of mine Idea. Anon, awaken,
I saw the Woman, and I called her Eve.
The Form of mine Idea. Anon, awaken,
I saw the Woman, and I called her Eve.
—Life of my Life! how sweet with her partaken,
A Paradise within a Paradise,
A Fountain sealed, a City unforsaken—
A Paradise within a Paradise,
A Fountain sealed, a City unforsaken—
Lovely though weak, and winning if not wise,
She having her perfection but in me,
And I in turn lived only in her eyes;
She having her perfection but in me,
And I in turn lived only in her eyes;
Imperfect both, but more imperfect she;
Naked, though unashamed; and, under Law,
Guiltless of Sin, yet not from Nature free;
Naked, though unashamed; and, under Law,
Guiltless of Sin, yet not from Nature free;
Nature, whose incomplete Creations awe,
Speaking like Woman, of a Life by-gone,
And one commenced—and one that Faith foresaw,
Speaking like Woman, of a Life by-gone,
And one commenced—and one that Faith foresaw,
Teeming with Life completed in a Son,
Whom the Revealer, in the days that are,
Hath manifested in the Eternal One.
Whom the Revealer, in the days that are,
Hath manifested in the Eternal One.
—Almighty Lord! the Universal Heir!
Thy Church hath wandered from thee: dwelt apart,
And of her habitation passing fair
Thy Church hath wandered from thee: dwelt apart,
And of her habitation passing fair
Made to herself a temple, where her heart
Idolatrous adored and deified
The vanities of Lust,—the lies of Art,
Idolatrous adored and deified
The vanities of Lust,—the lies of Art,
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Whose swift degrees the poles of Sense divide,
The Good and Evil that with Knowledge came,
Labour and pain, and peril—taught and tried,
The Good and Evil that with Knowledge came,
Labour and pain, and peril—taught and tried,
And cleansed with Blood. The sacrificial Flame,
From Heaven, accepted the devoted Life,
Whose Shedding clothed Humanity from Shame,
From Heaven, accepted the devoted Life,
Whose Shedding clothed Humanity from Shame,
Forth sent to hold with Nature stubborn strife,
Debarred from touching, by Cherubick fire,
The Tree whose fruitage now is ripe and rife,
Debarred from touching, by Cherubick fire,
The Tree whose fruitage now is ripe and rife,
That whoso plucks may live. Eternal Sire,
Thy potent Word, out of thy royal Throne,
Leapt down from heaven amidst a land of Ire,
Thy potent Word, out of thy royal Throne,
Leapt down from heaven amidst a land of Ire,
Sworded with thine unfeigned Decree alone,—
And standing up, Avenger unadored,
Filled all the region of that populous zone
And standing up, Avenger unadored,
Filled all the region of that populous zone
With death;—it swept o'er earth, to heaven it soared.
It swooped to hell, and smote her land with fear.
—By Suffering perfect made, by death restored,
It swooped to hell, and smote her land with fear.
—By Suffering perfect made, by death restored,
Anon, behold, the Blameless Man appear—
Her wrecks are levelled, and her ruin healed.
Each Son of mine is the first Labourer's heir—
Her wrecks are levelled, and her ruin healed.
Each Son of mine is the first Labourer's heir—
He speaks—Winds listen and the billows yield—
He prays—and Angels minister his need,—
His Blessing fattens the renewed field;
He prays—and Angels minister his need,—
His Blessing fattens the renewed field;
Heir of all things—the Woman's only Seed!
—Oh Eve! Strong was my Love as Death, to share
With thee the Curse of that ambitious deed,
—Oh Eve! Strong was my Love as Death, to share
With thee the Curse of that ambitious deed,
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Which did our human nakedness declare—
Stronger his Love who hath atonement made,
And died, that he a body may prepare
Stronger his Love who hath atonement made,
And died, that he a body may prepare
Of Glory; so the Bride shall be arrayed,
And for the senselessness of shame she lost,
Be in the marriage garment well displayed.
And for the senselessness of shame she lost,
Be in the marriage garment well displayed.
—Thus triumphs Love, but in the End the most,
The First and Last of Beings. Hence began
The Ages; and his Words, the countless Host
The First and Last of Beings. Hence began
The Ages; and his Words, the countless Host
Of Generation: hence the Worlds: hence Man:
Hence Woman; and with woman man partook
Her doom; and great Messiah's grace outran
Hence Woman; and with woman man partook
Her doom; and great Messiah's grace outran
Transgression, and withstood the Law's rebuke,
And shall redeem, with energy divine,
All to himself, wherefore he all forsook,
And thence into his Father's hand resign.And shall redeem, with energy divine,
All to himself, wherefore he all forsook,
XIV. THE PATRIARCHS.
While Adam spake, reposed upon his heart
Beloved Abel, who, in the World's prime,
Watched the devoted Flock—thus set apart
Beloved Abel, who, in the World's prime,
Watched the devoted Flock—thus set apart
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For Sacrifice, when God, from Heaven sublime
Descending, in the cool of day, appointed,
For Sin, Atonement from the birth of Time.
Descending, in the cool of day, appointed,
For Sin, Atonement from the birth of Time.
—Then Adam first saw Death, hailed and arointed;
Both Curse and Cure, a refuge for the Soul,
And to redeem the flesh it kills anointed.
Both Curse and Cure, a refuge for the Soul,
And to redeem the flesh it kills anointed.
In sign whereof, a sapless barkless bole,
Man's body, for whose food all perisheth,
Attired through the mutation of the whole.
Man's body, for whose food all perisheth,
Attired through the mutation of the whole.
—Who would be clothed with Heaven must live by Faith,
As, by the organons of touch, the Mind
Discourses with the World whose life is death—
As, by the organons of touch, the Mind
Discourses with the World whose life is death—
They, in all elements' corruption, find
Life still regenerated bodily,
Still mortal, every moment recombined.
Life still regenerated bodily,
Still mortal, every moment recombined.
Thou who for man plantedst the mystick Tree,
Even in the heart of his peculiar sphere,
Hast drunk Death's Vintage thus outpoured for thee!
Even in the heart of his peculiar sphere,
Hast drunk Death's Vintage thus outpoured for thee!
—So while the Shepherd fed his flock, in fear
Unto the Mystery of Blood he bowed,
Shed for the World ere her foundations were,
Unto the Mystery of Blood he bowed,
Shed for the World ere her foundations were,
Witness of Truth;..and thus his own blood flowed.
For Labour, the great Curse, made Cain as stern
As Earth, fat with his sweat; hence he bestowed
For Labour, the great Curse, made Cain as stern
As Earth, fat with his sweat; hence he bestowed
His haughty offering as the meet return
Of one who had well-done, expecting straight
The guerdon of his toil. No man may earn
Of one who had well-done, expecting straight
The guerdon of his toil. No man may earn
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The free gift, Life eternal.—Better fate
Was thine, O Seth! who now on that same hill
Reposest, where of old, in placid state,
Was thine, O Seth! who now on that same hill
Reposest, where of old, in placid state,
The Sons of God inhabited, and still
Call on Jehovah's Name, and evermore
Worship the Highest and Invisible—
Call on Jehovah's Name, and evermore
Worship the Highest and Invisible—
The while the Children of the Vale adore
The Forms of Life, so lovely, ever new,
And of their passions make them idols store.
The Forms of Life, so lovely, ever new,
And of their passions make them idols store.
—Still shall the Sense the Understanding woo,
Enamoured of its coil, divorced from Reason;
Or Reason, pitying, grow imbruted too,
Enamoured of its coil, divorced from Reason;
Or Reason, pitying, grow imbruted too,
Eating of the same Tree, though proper treason
To his supremacy, right-absolute,
Without respect to sanctuary or season,
To his supremacy, right-absolute,
Without respect to sanctuary or season,
That makes all laws, serves none, nor hears dispute
Before or after; naked, yet unshamed,
Until he tasteth that sciential fruit,
Before or after; naked, yet unshamed,
Until he tasteth that sciential fruit,
His wants unfelt, and his desires unclaimed.
So by the Law Sin reigned, that Grace might be,
And God's high Will o'er all be known and named.
So by the Law Sin reigned, that Grace might be,
And God's high Will o'er all be known and named.
—But Man unto himself was Deity,
And manifold inventions vainly sought,
To entrench his weakness, and to make him free;
And manifold inventions vainly sought,
To entrench his weakness, and to make him free;
His eyes were opened to his naked lot;
Thanks to the shame which made him feel his need,
The sorrow that could hide and heal it not,
Thanks to the shame which made him feel his need,
The sorrow that could hide and heal it not,
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Until arrived to justify the deed,
To endure the Sorrow, to despise the Shame,
The Virgin's Son, the Woman's only Seed.
To endure the Sorrow, to despise the Shame,
The Virgin's Son, the Woman's only Seed.
—A God unto himself, Man read his Name
In all things, and his Nature multiplied
Among heaven's hosts, and idolized the same,
In all things, and his Nature multiplied
Among heaven's hosts, and idolized the same,
In sensual selfishness, and wilful pride
But carnal. Hence Rapacity and Lust;
And civil Violence was deified—
But carnal. Hence Rapacity and Lust;
And civil Violence was deified—
Moods of the fleshly mind, for aye-unjust
And cruel, seeking its own good alone,
Unsocial, and unfaithful to its trust;
And cruel, seeking its own good alone,
Unsocial, and unfaithful to its trust;
Yet understanding not aright its own,
Soon sorrowing, if repenting not, in sorrow
That hath repentance none,—and none atone.
Soon sorrowing, if repenting not, in sorrow
That hath repentance none,—and none atone.
—Children of Seth! from whom these mountains borrow
Their patriarchal name—Man's Yesterday
Of rest was your's—and wherefore came the Morrow?
Their patriarchal name—Man's Yesterday
Of rest was your's—and wherefore came the Morrow?
Leisure divine! sweet peace beyond display!
And Man conversed with heaven in vision pure,
And silence, till the flesh dissolved away,
And Man conversed with heaven in vision pure,
And silence, till the flesh dissolved away,
And God was all-in-all. How sweetly sure
Faith aimed at heaven, and Reason walked the skies,
Hope pierced the clouds, and Love abode secure!
Faith aimed at heaven, and Reason walked the skies,
Hope pierced the clouds, and Love abode secure!
Perpetual Sabbath made the Spirit wise,
And Thought o'er Thought piled up, from heaven to heaven
Soared unto God, and solved all mysteries—
And Thought o'er Thought piled up, from heaven to heaven
Soared unto God, and solved all mysteries—
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O happy ye—who, of the Curse forgiven,
Held not the plough, nor gloried in the goad,
Nor in the furrows quenched the spirit's leven!
Held not the plough, nor gloried in the goad,
Nor in the furrows quenched the spirit's leven!
Happy, appointed Ones!—free from the load
Of labour, upon whom the Sabbath-Rest,
Redeemed by God descending, is bestowed!
Of labour, upon whom the Sabbath-Rest,
Redeemed by God descending, is bestowed!
—Not so the Fratricidal Race, unblest,
Like the wild Ass unclean, untaught, untamed,
Rude Nature's vigour working in their breast,
Like the wild Ass unclean, untaught, untamed,
Rude Nature's vigour working in their breast,
God's Judgement in their Destiny proclaimed,
Living to labour,—labouring to live,
Hopeless in Death—of Hell and Darkness named.
Living to labour,—labouring to live,
Hopeless in Death—of Hell and Darkness named.
Inventive Labour! cunning to deceive
Thyself, and skilful to no end but this,
Still to be doing, never to achieve—
Thyself, and skilful to no end but this,
Still to be doing, never to achieve—
What profitest?—though all, to such excess,
Man cannot utter it, be full of thee—
The Eye unsatisfied, the Ear no less—
Man cannot utter it, be full of thee—
The Eye unsatisfied, the Ear no less—
Sore travail, and the vainest vanity
Ordained to exercise the Sons of Men—
Who getteth Wisdom, where thy trials be?
Ordained to exercise the Sons of Men—
Who getteth Wisdom, where thy trials be?
—Lo, by his Anvil sits the Smith, and when
Pondering his work, the vapours of the fire
Waste his swart flesh—he sighs in his hot den,
Pondering his work, the vapours of the fire
Waste his swart flesh—he sighs in his hot den,
Noise in his ears, his eyes, nay—his desire,
Watchful to fashion, polish and complete,
The thing he makes for others to admire.
Watchful to fashion, polish and complete,
The thing he makes for others to admire.
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Not in the Council shall he have a seat,
Nor such as he—who know not to declare
Justice or Judgement, rude and indiscreet.
Nor such as he—who know not to declare
Justice or Judgement, rude and indiscreet.
—Behold, the Student labours in his sphere
To work out knowledge, yet doth Wisdom miss,
Who comes unforced, or is already there,
To work out knowledge, yet doth Wisdom miss,
Who comes unforced, or is already there,
Encradled with his infant energies
Whom she makes sacred. Subtle she and pure,
Yet permeating all complicities—
Whom she makes sacred. Subtle she and pure,
Yet permeating all complicities—
But shall be found in none of these, besure;
Self-resident, or in the Eternal Mind
Her dwelling doth invisibly endure.
Self-resident, or in the Eternal Mind
Her dwelling doth invisibly endure.
—Ask of the Abyss, where ye her place may find?
It crieth, not in me! 'Tis not in me,
Old Ocean saith; as empty is the Wind—
It crieth, not in me! 'Tis not in me,
Old Ocean saith; as empty is the Wind—
Hid from the Living is her sanctuary,
Hid from the Eyes of Heaven. Yet seek again—
Inquire of Hell and Death—they answer—We
Hid from the Eyes of Heaven. Yet seek again—
Inquire of Hell and Death—they answer—We
Heard thereof from afar, a rumour vain!
—God set her region, when He weighed the winds,
The lightning winged, and meted land and main.
—God set her region, when He weighed the winds,
The lightning winged, and meted land and main.
Seek it of Him, who is the Mind of minds—
Fear God, be wise; shun evil, would ye know:
This Rede who loves, he Understanding finds!
Fear God, be wise; shun evil, would ye know:
This Rede who loves, he Understanding finds!
—Why from that heaven-conversing Hill's calm brow,
Oh Sons of God!—permitted, were ye brought,
To look on other Beauty than what now
Oh Sons of God!—permitted, were ye brought,
To look on other Beauty than what now
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Enchants the pure of Soul, thus spirit-caught
To contemplate its Source—whence mixture strange,
Daughters of Labour with the Sons of Thought?
To contemplate its Source—whence mixture strange,
Daughters of Labour with the Sons of Thought?
—Wherefore but that the Eternal, in the change
And chance of place and season, may attain
Its perfect time, and universal range;
And chance of place and season, may attain
Its perfect time, and universal range;
And, like a Seed, expand itself, and gain
All elements its ministers, and make
Life's food, Life's self,..the sunshine and the rain—
All elements its ministers, and make
Life's food, Life's self,..the sunshine and the rain—
Or like a Spring, subdued awhile, awake
In many rivers from its hidden cell,
And bear back tribute to its parent Lake—
In many rivers from its hidden cell,
And bear back tribute to its parent Lake—
Waters of Life—Fruit incorruptible—
Who eateth of that Tree shall hunger not,
He thirsts no more who drinketh of that Well!
Who eateth of that Tree shall hunger not,
He thirsts no more who drinketh of that Well!
—Seth—Enos—Cainan—Mahalaleel devout,
Jared and Enoch and Methuselah,
Lamech and Noah, crown the Crest about
Jared and Enoch and Methuselah,
Lamech and Noah, crown the Crest about
Of that pure Hill, from Cain to Naamah,—
Who ministered at fountains, firm in faith,
Bitter as Marah, shut as Meribah!
Who ministered at fountains, firm in faith,
Bitter as Marah, shut as Meribah!
—Ye Patriarchs of a people, who, in the death
Of fear, and fear of Death, with wrath were rife,
And heeded all the heart imagineth—
Of fear, and fear of Death, with wrath were rife,
And heeded all the heart imagineth—
Yet heavenly visions pierced the veil of life,
And opened up Eternity, and showed
Superior Wisdom reconciling strife,
And opened up Eternity, and showed
Superior Wisdom reconciling strife,
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And all complete in Him, and re-endowed
With majesty of manhood most divine,
Fulness of Godhead bodily bestowed—
With majesty of manhood most divine,
Fulness of Godhead bodily bestowed—
Oh! then the floods might fall, the yeasty brine
Boil o'er, the fountains of the abyss upleap,
Broken, and in mid-air with heaven combine
Boil o'er, the fountains of the abyss upleap,
Broken, and in mid-air with heaven combine
Ruin,—'till boundless Ocean had the sweep
Of the huge World, save the Ark divine that bore
Her Remnant o'er the universal Deep!
Of the huge World, save the Ark divine that bore
Her Remnant o'er the universal Deep!
And, when at length that Sea had found a shore,
The Bow of Promise arched appeased heaven,
And earth baptized rose lovelier than before,
The Bow of Promise arched appeased heaven,
And earth baptized rose lovelier than before,
From Deluge rescued, and with Man forgiven,
Who worshipped on her bosom; while supreme
God smiled on him whom he had lately riven,
Who worshipped on her bosom; while supreme
God smiled on him whom he had lately riven,
Buried in baptism, dying to redeem.—
And so the Universe itself careers,
Invisibly directed, o'er the stream
And so the Universe itself careers,
Invisibly directed, o'er the stream
Of Time, mysterious Fabrick, with its spheres
Of various Being, Orbits and Degrees,
In storm and calm, hopes manifold and fears
Of various Being, Orbits and Degrees,
In storm and calm, hopes manifold and fears
As infinite, winged by thy blast or breeze,
Eternity—surrounding like a sky
Its unintelligible voyages!
Eternity—surrounding like a sky
Its unintelligible voyages!
Yet, ever as it moves, doth audibly
The hovering spirit o'er thy Deep proclaim,
Will, Action, Law, Order, and Deity!
The hovering spirit o'er thy Deep proclaim,
Will, Action, Law, Order, and Deity!
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—And thou, thou After-World, whose birth outcame
From the tumultuous Waters, canst thou not,
In all thy progresses, attest the same?
From the tumultuous Waters, canst thou not,
In all thy progresses, attest the same?
—Hear, who hath ears to hear; and Fortune's knot,
Fate's Mystery, unravel and unseal,
Of Man and Men the Destiny and Lot.
Fate's Mystery, unravel and unseal,
Of Man and Men the Destiny and Lot.
The Work and Travail and the strong Appeal
Of Indigence on Industry for aid,
Evoke heroick Power, prophetick Zeal,
Of Indigence on Industry for aid,
Evoke heroick Power, prophetick Zeal,
Divine Emprise, Endeavour undismayed;
Until the Sum of Generation be
Complete, and the great recompence appaid.
Until the Sum of Generation be
Complete, and the great recompence appaid.
—Meantime on high Resolve, Activity,
And Will judicious, still Success awaits;
Nothing too high, nothing too low for thee,
And Will judicious, still Success awaits;
Nothing too high, nothing too low for thee,
Suiting thy station, who wouldst govern states,
Win royal greatness, or endiadem
Thy brow with laurel-wreath that antedates
Win royal greatness, or endiadem
Thy brow with laurel-wreath that antedates
Man's Immortality, or win the gem
Of Independence for thy household hearth,
And 'mong the Citizens be chief of them.
Of Independence for thy household hearth,
And 'mong the Citizens be chief of them.
The Work thou workest is a germ whose birth
Is as thyself for others, theirs for thee,
For future time, not this; for heaven, not earth—
Is as thyself for others, theirs for thee,
For future time, not this; for heaven, not earth—
Communion stronger than Necessity,
Love 'midst Contention reconciling all,
Not surer Fate, not Providence more free.
Love 'midst Contention reconciling all,
Not surer Fate, not Providence more free.
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—For thee waked Adam into life. Recall
The great and wise into remembrance; they
Wrought for their race—for thee; the unnamed and small
The great and wise into remembrance; they
Wrought for their race—for thee; the unnamed and small
Wrought for their race—for thee. Thou hailest the day
Of their wished harvest, on the level field
Treadst in the steps where first they ploughed the way.
Of their wished harvest, on the level field
Treadst in the steps where first they ploughed the way.
They have well-done. So to thy Brother yield
Wisdom and Bliss, and for thy seed complete
The noble dome where they surceased to build!
Wisdom and Bliss, and for thy seed complete
The noble dome where they surceased to build!
And then died they? die thou, and death defeat;
Perfect the task thou burnedst to fulfil,
In a happier state—thou art eternal yet—
Perfect the task thou burnedst to fulfil,
In a happier state—thou art eternal yet—
Death ends it not,—it is eternal still.
O'er Nature's wreck and Death's subdued ire,
Hovers at ease th' emancipated Will!
O'er Nature's wreck and Death's subdued ire,
Hovers at ease th' emancipated Will!
—Who of this Converse,..through the Angelick Quire,
And Spirits made perfect, mingling, as it may,
In three-fold union, the thrice-heavenly fire
And Spirits made perfect, mingling, as it may,
In three-fold union, the thrice-heavenly fire
With the infernal, and the paler ray
Of earth's more shadowy speech,..the interwoof
Sudden disparts?—how welcome?—Let them say
Whose hymn thus hails the Visitant in proof.Of earth's more shadowy speech,..the interwoof
Sudden disparts?—how welcome?—Let them say
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XV. THE PROPHETS.
“How beautiful upon the Mountains are
The feet of him, who with good tidings comes,
To publish Peace, Salvation to declare;
The feet of him, who with good tidings comes,
To publish Peace, Salvation to declare;
Who saith to Zion, that her God resumes
His throne, and in the holy City reigns
Almighty! Lo, his Coming far illumes
His throne, and in the holy City reigns
Almighty! Lo, his Coming far illumes
The Hills, like the young Dawn, that, ere the plains,
Tinges the heights, when, out of deepest night,
The Morning Star the coldest Air constrains
Tinges the heights, when, out of deepest night,
The Morning Star the coldest Air constrains
With his peculiar lustre, herald bright,
Lone harbinger of Day, that spreads anon,
In universal majesty of light,
Lone harbinger of Day, that spreads anon,
In universal majesty of light,
In radiance around heaven and earth upon.
He comes, second Elias sanctified,
With holy hand, to consecrate the One
He comes, second Elias sanctified,
With holy hand, to consecrate the One
Who only might endure such rite, and died
Of that redeeming Ordinance, decreed
Ere the Worlds were. By Patience to decide
Of that redeeming Ordinance, decreed
Ere the Worlds were. By Patience to decide
The Strife of Old,..to suffer and to bleed;..
His Cup who else might drink? His Baptism none
Could be baptized withal; of human seed
His Cup who else might drink? His Baptism none
Could be baptized withal; of human seed
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Or of angelick;—sole-begotten Son—
Us for His Advent comest thou to prepare,
Whom in this Orb of Hope thou hast fore-run?”
Us for His Advent comest thou to prepare,
Whom in this Orb of Hope thou hast fore-run?”
—Thus spake the Prophet who, in the mid-air,
By whirlwind was translated into heaven,
And dropt his mantle on his pupil heir,—
By whirlwind was translated into heaven,
And dropt his mantle on his pupil heir,—
Who knew therewith his master's spirit given,
And gazed aloft in faith, the while he soared,
Borne with the steeds of fire and car of leven,
And gazed aloft in faith, the while he soared,
Borne with the steeds of fire and car of leven,
To those far gates his eyes in vain explored.
—Whom thus the Baptist answered: “Seers, I stood
Beneath the Towers of Salem, which the horde
—Whom thus the Baptist answered: “Seers, I stood
Beneath the Towers of Salem, which the horde
Of Darkness covered, silent and subdued,
Until I heard the Watcher on the Wall,
Asked of the Night, return an answer good;—
Until I heard the Watcher on the Wall,
Asked of the Night, return an answer good;—
‘Chariot and Horsemen hasten, and they call
Aloud, and sing a song of Victory
O'er Babylon, and Salem freed from thrall.’
Aloud, and sing a song of Victory
O'er Babylon, and Salem freed from thrall.’
Again they asked—‘What of the Night?’ And he
Replied—‘The Morning cometh—and the Night
Will tarry not.’ Then I arose, and me
Replied—‘The Morning cometh—and the Night
Will tarry not.’ Then I arose, and me
The Archangel greeted, with returning light,
The Guardian of the City, Michaël,
With words of comfort equable and right—
The Guardian of the City, Michaël,
With words of comfort equable and right—
‘Say thou, Isaiah, done his mission well,
Here hastes. Soon eye to eye the Lord again
Shall Zion bring—this to the captive tell—
Here hastes. Soon eye to eye the Lord again
Shall Zion bring—this to the captive tell—
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Let her awake in joy; for o'er the Slain
He hath made bare his righteous arm, in sight
Of all the worlds, and hath redeemed the main!’”
He hath made bare his righteous arm, in sight
Of all the worlds, and hath redeemed the main!’”
Joy, of these words conceived, dispelled the night,
And in the Patriarchs' souls unveiled the morn;
But chief the Prophets glowed with full delight,
And in the Patriarchs' souls unveiled the morn;
But chief the Prophets glowed with full delight,
Strong as a god, mature as soon as born
To scotch the serpent's coil. Oh, happy lands,
Where Hope ne'er hopes in vain, and Love is ne'er lovelorn!
To scotch the serpent's coil. Oh, happy lands,
Where Hope ne'er hopes in vain, and Love is ne'er lovelorn!
And lo, Isaiah now amidst them stands,
Majestically eminent o'er all,
And blesses them with his thanksgiving hands.
Majestically eminent o'er all,
And blesses them with his thanksgiving hands.
Though they so great, he towers heroical,
Though humblest of that holiest company,
Sweet as sublime—So once looked royal Saul;
Though humblest of that holiest company,
Sweet as sublime—So once looked royal Saul;
So looked, but was not what he seemed to be,
Amidst the Children of his Father's land,
The goodliest, loftier than the rest was he.
Amidst the Children of his Father's land,
The goodliest, loftier than the rest was he.
But fairer Jesse's Son, whom Samuel's hand
King midst his Brethren hallowed and proclaimed.
So Samuel stood above the prophet band,
King midst his Brethren hallowed and proclaimed.
So Samuel stood above the prophet band,
When the insane Tyrant at the Youth's life aimed,
But, smit at Naioth by the Spirit there,
Quelled at his feet lay naked and ashamed.
But, smit at Naioth by the Spirit there,
Quelled at his feet lay naked and ashamed.
Now, as a pupil in his own School here,
Vaileth his reverential forehead low,
Unto the Prophet, the time-hallowed Seer—
Vaileth his reverential forehead low,
Unto the Prophet, the time-hallowed Seer—
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A larger College is endowed now:
A true prophetick University;
The Jewels are made up, or nearly so;
A true prophetick University;
The Jewels are made up, or nearly so;
One only they await, to whose broad eye
Shall be disclosed the Vision, that will fill
The Casket up, and seal it sacredly.
Shall be disclosed the Vision, that will fill
The Casket up, and seal it sacredly.
—Who through a tear, like dew on Hermon's hill
Pearling a sunbeam, smiles his welcome soft?
A man of woes, and victim of all ill,
Pearling a sunbeam, smiles his welcome soft?
A man of woes, and victim of all ill,
On earth—perfected now by suffering—oft
Most blessed of the Blest, wont on the tide
Of tenderness, to exalt the Soul aloft,
Most blessed of the Blest, wont on the tide
Of tenderness, to exalt the Soul aloft,
Tearful, though nothing sad. Thus ever glide,
On such a stream, pathetick Spirits, swollen
With sympathy, and lovingly allied
On such a stream, pathetick Spirits, swollen
With sympathy, and lovingly allied
To heaven. From its hid sources first was stolen
The flood, which swelled its volume that now blends
With the descending deluge, where-mid rollen,
The flood, which swelled its volume that now blends
With the descending deluge, where-mid rollen,
Met half, assisted half, the Mind transcends
The ocean-chariot that convoyed it high,
And passes,—how none wholly apprehends,—
The ocean-chariot that convoyed it high,
And passes,—how none wholly apprehends,—
Into a region of sublimity.
So Jeremiah on a Sea of Grief
Floated his Ark of pensive melody.
So Jeremiah on a Sea of Grief
Floated his Ark of pensive melody.
—With bolder mien, and shown in strong relief,
Ezekiel, with a brother's strict embrace,
Greeted the grasp of that returned Chief;
Ezekiel, with a brother's strict embrace,
Greeted the grasp of that returned Chief;
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Yet sighing bitterly before his face,
Because the furbished Sword contemned the Rod,
And, for a trial, glowed with its disgrace,
Because the furbished Sword contemned the Rod,
And, for a trial, glowed with its disgrace,
Sanguine with slaughter. Let it rage! For God
Will smite his hands together, and refrain
From fury—but the Vintage must be trod.
Will smite his hands together, and refrain
From fury—but the Vintage must be trod.
To men on earth his was a lovely strain,
Of one who sweetly sang, and deftly played,
But in a foreign land discoursed in vain.
Of one who sweetly sang, and deftly played,
But in a foreign land discoursed in vain.
—Oh, Daniel well-beloved! who plainly said
In no strange tongue the things that were to be,
Simple of manners, and of mind unswayed.
In no strange tongue the things that were to be,
Simple of manners, and of mind unswayed.
Dear is the welcome of simplicity!
How dear is thine, to whom for this was given
The Hope of Nations over all to see!—
How dear is thine, to whom for this was given
The Hope of Nations over all to see!—
—Come forth, ye sacred Band inspired of heaven,
Surround the Prophet silently controled,
And hear how well his embassy has thriven—
Surround the Prophet silently controled,
And hear how well his embassy has thriven—
Hosea, the zealous; Amos, herdsman bold;
Jonas, type of our theme, and Obadiah,
And Nahum who of Nineveh foretold—
Jonas, type of our theme, and Obadiah,
And Nahum who of Nineveh foretold—
Micah and Habakkuk, and Zephaniah,
Joel, Haggai, and Malachi, who saves
But with a curse; and lofty Zechariah—
Joel, Haggai, and Malachi, who saves
But with a curse; and lofty Zechariah—
Noble your duty—noble he who braves
The stormy World, and guides the Ark devout
In safety o'er the battle-banded waves,
The stormy World, and guides the Ark devout
In safety o'er the battle-banded waves,
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A glorious Company! which anthem out
Their ministrant service. God; thou biddest now
The stormy wind to clip their whereabout—
Their ministrant service. God; thou biddest now
The stormy wind to clip their whereabout—
They who descend the Sea in Ships avow
Thy wonders in the vasty Deep. 'Tis thine,—
The watery Universe; There standest Thou,
Thy wonders in the vasty Deep. 'Tis thine,—
The watery Universe; There standest Thou,
Invisible, omnipotent, divine,
Mirrored in tempest. Foam is lift on high,
And Men ascend to heaven upon the brine,
Mirrored in tempest. Foam is lift on high,
And Men ascend to heaven upon the brine,
And sink again into the immensity
Profound; because of fear their troubled souls
Melt and reel drunken in their agony—
Profound; because of fear their troubled souls
Melt and reel drunken in their agony—
And then they cry to thee—thy Power controls
The storm into a calm, and glad are they,
And to their bay desired pleased Ocean rolls.
The storm into a calm, and glad are they,
And to their bay desired pleased Ocean rolls.
Him from the womb, and ere he had a way,
Who swathed in cloud? who made the darkness be
His swaddling band? who taught him where to stay?
Who swathed in cloud? who made the darkness be
His swaddling band? who taught him where to stay?
His destined habitation, Thy decree—
His haughty billows bound—his line allowed—
His limits—even his wrath—defined by Thee!
His haughty billows bound—his line allowed—
His limits—even his wrath—defined by Thee!
—Swift would the Prophets know what doth forebode
The Charge they loved?—this, swift as their desire,
Isaiah hath affectionately showed;
The Charge they loved?—this, swift as their desire,
Isaiah hath affectionately showed;
—A tale of Awe.—“Earth shakes as scathed with fire,
And three-fold Darkness deep and terrible,
The Universe pervadeth, loosed in ire
And three-fold Darkness deep and terrible,
The Universe pervadeth, loosed in ire
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From its strange centre in the hidden Hell—
Still, strong in faith, I persevere and pass
The guarded gates, the captive citadel,—
Still, strong in faith, I persevere and pass
The guarded gates, the captive citadel,—
The Temple reach—the Holiest Place. Alas,
Alas! for Speech is not, and Thought is vain,
And yet the Unimaginable was!
Alas! for Speech is not, and Thought is vain,
And yet the Unimaginable was!
The Veil—the mystick Veil—'tis rent in twain!
And there amidst, amidst the Darkness there,
A bloody Cross of fire, a fiery rain
And there amidst, amidst the Darkness there,
A bloody Cross of fire, a fiery rain
Of blood, seen but by its own light; elsewhere
Night only, Night at Noon-day; Night foretold
Of every oracle; the Day of Fear,
Night only, Night at Noon-day; Night foretold
Of every oracle; the Day of Fear,
And of Salvation, waited for of old,
Whose glory dims the Sun, and with excess
Of Light shall blind the Nations. But, behold,
Whose glory dims the Sun, and with excess
Of Light shall blind the Nations. But, behold,
I'th' Evening shall be Light, Light re-express
From East to West, from North to South, and show
The Throne of Heaven, and pierce the Grave's recess.
From East to West, from North to South, and show
The Throne of Heaven, and pierce the Grave's recess.
So high extends that Cross, so far below—
Downward I look, but can not trace its root,
Upward, it soars beyond my ken: and, lo!
Downward I look, but can not trace its root,
Upward, it soars beyond my ken: and, lo!
On one side, its dread rays obscurely shoot
Into the darkness, and, in the dim light,
Shadows of Slain outglimmer, moveless, mute;
Into the darkness, and, in the dim light,
Shadows of Slain outglimmer, moveless, mute;
There lies the Mighty,.. but in vain his might,..
And his Companions' graves are multiplied
About him, fallen, fallen, fallen to nether night;
And his Companions' graves are multiplied
About him, fallen, fallen, fallen to nether night;
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Weapons of war beneath them and beside,
Chariot and Steed in huge confusion rolled,
Armies of Hell;.. they perished in their pride..
Chariot and Steed in huge confusion rolled,
Armies of Hell;.. they perished in their pride..
And over them enormous Death, controled
By mightier Power, stands with uplifted hand,
Ghastily dead!—On the other, I behold
By mightier Power, stands with uplifted hand,
Ghastily dead!—On the other, I behold
The Vision of a half-emerging land,
With Michael, Leader of the Hosts of Heaven,
And the great Chiefs of that heroick band,
With Michael, Leader of the Hosts of Heaven,
And the great Chiefs of that heroick band,
Sad,..even to death,..as rooted there and riven,
Like Victors, o'er a falling Universe,
Waiting the wreck where lately they had striven.
Like Victors, o'er a falling Universe,
Waiting the wreck where lately they had striven.
Hereat I pray to God, and he who hears
The prayer of faith, upholds my spirit now,
Dispels my doubts, and dissipates my fears;
The prayer of faith, upholds my spirit now,
Dispels my doubts, and dissipates my fears;
I plunge undaunted to the Depths below,
I soar to Earth, there hangs the Crucified,
And from his wounds the healing fountains flow;
I soar to Earth, there hangs the Crucified,
And from his wounds the healing fountains flow;
I soar to Heaven, there hath the Incarnate died—
Behold, his infinite Arms embrace the Skies,
And with his Blood the Stars are purified:
Behold, his infinite Arms embrace the Skies,
And with his Blood the Stars are purified:
Above the Heavens I rise and rise, and rise,
Led by the Spirit to the Eternal Throne,
Entranced there and slain with mysteries,
Led by the Spirit to the Eternal Throne,
Entranced there and slain with mysteries,
Unutterable save by God alone,
Adoring, and absorbed in Deity,
Humbled, consumed, transformed, and not self-known.
Adoring, and absorbed in Deity,
Humbled, consumed, transformed, and not self-known.
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—Eternal Ages might have past o'er me!
At length, awaked..on Earth, beneath the Cross,
And praying 'midst the Darkness veiling thee,
At length, awaked..on Earth, beneath the Cross,
And praying 'midst the Darkness veiling thee,
Redeemer! Darkness palpable and gross..
Anon, I saw thy human face divine—
O miracle of Grace! O mighty Loss,
Anon, I saw thy human face divine—
O miracle of Grace! O mighty Loss,
Thus mightily redeemed..but mightier thine!
How great the Gain for Sacrifice so choice,
The Holiest on the most accursed Shrine!
How great the Gain for Sacrifice so choice,
The Holiest on the most accursed Shrine!
And, from the gloom released, I heard the Voice
Of Man and Woman;..her's whose virgin womb
Conceived the Son!”—Hereat one cried, “Rejoice!”—
Of Man and Woman;..her's whose virgin womb
Conceived the Son!”—Hereat one cried, “Rejoice!”—
And ere the Prophet could his speech resume,
By all that Multitude was sung—“Behold!”
And Numbers without number, who the gloom
By all that Multitude was sung—“Behold!”
And Numbers without number, who the gloom
Of Death had passed, from ages new and old,
Of every land—all in one voice combine:
—“Behold the holy City doth unfold
Of every land—all in one voice combine:
—“Behold the holy City doth unfold
In majesty. She doth arise and shine,
As if her Light were come! Behold the Cloud
Of Glory over her, from line to line,
As if her Light were come! Behold the Cloud
Of Glory over her, from line to line,
Terrace and Temple, doth descend and shroud!
From the sublime o'ercanopying sky
To her foundations, gloriously endowed
From the sublime o'ercanopying sky
To her foundations, gloriously endowed
With beauty as a Bride,..of Deity
The Bride. How beautiful in her array
The City of our God, who from on high
The Bride. How beautiful in her array
The City of our God, who from on high
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Sheds o'er her walls his everlasting day!
Her golden Streets we shall revisit still,
And in her Temple Sacrifices pay.
Her golden Streets we shall revisit still,
And in her Temple Sacrifices pay.
—Who shall, oh God! ascend thy holy hill?
Even he whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,
Faithful of Word, and dutiful of Will.
Even he whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,
Faithful of Word, and dutiful of Will.
—Lift up your heads, ye Gates that long endure!
The King of Glory comes victoriously!
Who is the King of Glory? He, besure,
The King of Glory comes victoriously!
Who is the King of Glory? He, besure,
The Lord renowned in battle! This is he!
Lift up your heads, ye Gates! He stands before ye.
Oh, ye æonian Gates! uplifted be,
Lift up your heads, ye Gates! He stands before ye.
Oh, ye æonian Gates! uplifted be,
And make to him wide entrance whom adore ye—
Who is the King ye herald? Who but he
The Lord of Hosts? Who else is King of Glory?”
Who is the King ye herald? Who but he
The Lord of Hosts? Who else is King of Glory?”
—Now, by one Spirit moved, that Company
Doth from the mountains to the plain descend;
Multitudes, multitudes, successively,
Doth from the mountains to the plain descend;
Multitudes, multitudes, successively,
Successively, increase, and still extend,
All people, and all tongues, along the plain,
Huge continent, yet thronged. As friend with friend,
All people, and all tongues, along the plain,
Huge continent, yet thronged. As friend with friend,
They walk in order, and degree maintain,
Throughout incalculable multitudes,
Still onward—onward—a majestick train—
Throughout incalculable multitudes,
Still onward—onward—a majestick train—
'Till they, on either bank of the four floods,
Whose pleasant rivers through the mighty meads,
Flow on, and fertilize far fields and woods,
Whose pleasant rivers through the mighty meads,
Flow on, and fertilize far fields and woods,
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Divide in companies, and each proceeds
Along a musical and winding shore,
And follows pensively where'er it leads;
Along a musical and winding shore,
And follows pensively where'er it leads;
But at the confluence of the Streams, before
The City, where they enter, in one sea,
The Paradise of God, unite once more.
The City, where they enter, in one sea,
The Paradise of God, unite once more.
—There, met on either marge, right joyfully
They hail the sacred ramparts, and behold
The Hosts of Heaven again watch over thee,
They hail the sacred ramparts, and behold
The Hosts of Heaven again watch over thee,
Celestial City! and thy gates unfold
For ever, yet nought enters to defile,
And Michael hovers o'er thee, as of old.
—So wend they on, not without Song the while.For ever, yet nought enters to defile,
And Michael hovers o'er thee, as of old.
XVI. THE SOMETIME DISOBEDIENT.
I.1.
The Good die young, yet have not lived in vain;
For Wisdom is the grey hair unto men,
A spotless Life old age: how great their gain!
For Wisdom is the grey hair unto men,
A spotless Life old age: how great their gain!
Beloved of God, oh, most beloved then;
Translated from amidst a sinful race,
Soon perfect, why should they be proved agen?
Translated from amidst a sinful race,
Soon perfect, why should they be proved agen?
176
So Enoch walked with God, and saw his face,
For God esteems his Chosen, and his Saints
Shall seek and find his mercy and his grace.
For God esteems his Chosen, and his Saints
Shall seek and find his mercy and his grace.
The People saw, but held in base restraints,
They understood not, how he will reward
Love that fears not, and Faith that never faints.
They understood not, how he will reward
Love that fears not, and Faith that never faints.
I.2.
Ye understood not, or did not regard,
Who from yon Hill of Speculation came,
Patriarch and Sage, with Prophet, Priest and Bard,
Who from yon Hill of Speculation came,
Patriarch and Sage, with Prophet, Priest and Bard,
Old men and young, by Beauty set-aflame,
From the voluptuous Daughters of the Plain,
Each heart devote on its selected Dame,
From the voluptuous Daughters of the Plain,
Each heart devote on its selected Dame,
Though Lady of the Line of cursed Cain.
Musick and Song delight the Ear..the Eye
Is ravished with the Dance though graceful, vain—
Musick and Song delight the Ear..the Eye
Is ravished with the Dance though graceful, vain—
Vain, idle, tempting Lust with Melody
And Motion exquisite, lures for the sense,
Nor fraught with ill if tempered holily.
And Motion exquisite, lures for the sense,
Nor fraught with ill if tempered holily.
But oft with these the Hours of Sin commence,
And from her Mount of Vision drag the Soul,
To waste her strength in wanton feculence.
And from her Mount of Vision drag the Soul,
To waste her strength in wanton feculence.
I.3.
Sin grows gigantick; Force, without control,
Usurps the Seat of Justice. Evil thrives
From length of years, and reaches its far goal.
Usurps the Seat of Justice. Evil thrives
From length of years, and reaches its far goal.
Oh! heaven-born Science! what of thee survives?
Ill only, all the Good is purged away—
Knowledge but from the Visible derives
Ill only, all the Good is purged away—
Knowledge but from the Visible derives
177
The intellectual elements, that may
Inflate, but cannot fatten, whom they feed;
And demon-pride pervades the night and day,
Inflate, but cannot fatten, whom they feed;
And demon-pride pervades the night and day,
The mystick rite of a corrupted Creed,
Strange divination of strange gods begot,
The accursed Art, the unutterable Deed!
Strange divination of strange gods begot,
The accursed Art, the unutterable Deed!
II.1.
Let Age have honour, and a quiet lot,
The hoary head is as a silver crown,
That he is cold of heart who worships not—
The hoary head is as a silver crown,
That he is cold of heart who worships not—
Antient of Days! Methuselah is known
To Thee with honour, whom for ten long ages
Wisdom had hallowed, knowledge and renown.
To Thee with honour, whom for ten long ages
Wisdom had hallowed, knowledge and renown.
Seers of God, ye half-immortal Sages.
Time, the Truth-utterer, to your patient view,
Of his huge tome expanded all the pages;
Time, the Truth-utterer, to your patient view,
Of his huge tome expanded all the pages;
Nature her every secret showed to you,
And Heaven had eke revealed its mysteries,
But that Man's heart made evil what it knew.
And Heaven had eke revealed its mysteries,
But that Man's heart made evil what it knew.
II.2.
Oh! his Imaginings have fraught the skies,
With lusts abominable; and the Earth
Groans with his guilt, and teems with agonies.
With lusts abominable; and the Earth
Groans with his guilt, and teems with agonies.
Long Centuries between his death and birth,
Teem with heroick purpose, and rejoice
In its completion with no transient mirth.
Teem with heroick purpose, and rejoice
In its completion with no transient mirth.
Ambition dreams of empire, and the Voice
Of millions, at the end of many times,
Doth hail the Tyrant of their fatal choice
Of millions, at the end of many times,
Doth hail the Tyrant of their fatal choice
178
Pride, Power and Passion, each its zenith climbs,
And rages like the dog-star in the days
Of madness. Love itself, itself sublimes
And rages like the dog-star in the days
Of madness. Love itself, itself sublimes
In the undying heart on which it preys,
And Hate becomes immortal, and fell Ire
With ages grows, and Grief;—yet Death delays.
And Hate becomes immortal, and fell Ire
With ages grows, and Grief;—yet Death delays.
II.3.
But Age hath no authority. The Sire,
Made feebler with the weight of Centuries,
Shrinks from unfilial vigour. Thou wilt require,
Made feebler with the weight of Centuries,
Shrinks from unfilial vigour. Thou wilt require,
Great Father! the paternal blood that cries
Now from the ground. Yet mercy reigns supreme;
Lo, in yon Ark a ready refuge lies,
Now from the ground. Yet mercy reigns supreme;
Lo, in yon Ark a ready refuge lies,
For who will seek it. Let the Prophet dream;
They reck not of his warning that foretells
The penal Deluge, weary of the theme.
They reck not of his warning that foretells
The penal Deluge, weary of the theme.
Yet there the Preacher stands, where Man rebels,
His eloquent arms upraised unto his God,
Who hears in heaven and answers, and impels.
His eloquent arms upraised unto his God,
Who hears in heaven and answers, and impels.
III.1
Heaven! ope thy windows! send the Flood abroad!
Thou Earth, break up thy fountains,..and spurn hence
The proud Oppressor, son of force and fraud!
Thou Earth, break up thy fountains,..and spurn hence
The proud Oppressor, son of force and fraud!
—The starting Horse, hit by the hail intense
Though small, intensely small, erects his ears,
His mane erects, and smarts in every sense.
Though small, intensely small, erects his ears,
His mane erects, and smarts in every sense.
With martial pride his arched neck he rears,
His veins with courage tremble while they madden,
His eye returns the lightning while it sears,
His veins with courage tremble while they madden,
His eye returns the lightning while it sears,
179
Till the surrounding storms his spirit sadden,
And reeling in the rain and wind and thunder,
He yields the life the hills no longer gladden.
And reeling in the rain and wind and thunder,
He yields the life the hills no longer gladden.
III.2.
Fear, Madness, Blasphemy and wanton Wonder,
A Band of revellers, in open air,
Invoking Hymen, when the rock asunder
A Band of revellers, in open air,
Invoking Hymen, when the rock asunder
Rent, and the Fountain of the Abyss rose there,
'Mid the cleft Cliff upboiling—on one ridge,
Rage perishing, and curses breathe for prayer!
'Mid the cleft Cliff upboiling—on one ridge,
Rage perishing, and curses breathe for prayer!
Lo, on the other torn and riven ledge,
Despair, amid his sullen family,
Sits fixed, remediless, though the peak's edge
Despair, amid his sullen family,
Sits fixed, remediless, though the peak's edge
Might tempt him, if awaked to sense were he,
Plunging into the flood that fulmines near,
To brave his dread and prove his destiny.
Plunging into the flood that fulmines near,
To brave his dread and prove his destiny.
But now, exanimate of all but fear,
Fear worse than Death, them howl the Wolves about
Unfeared, for worse than Famine clings them there.
Fear worse than Death, them howl the Wolves about
Unfeared, for worse than Famine clings them there.
III.3
Long Days and Nights, on that high station, out
Amidst the Ocean, they have sate and watched
Destruction's goings-on, since first the shout
Amidst the Ocean, they have sate and watched
Destruction's goings-on, since first the shout
Rose from all people, and all eyes attached
Looked through the gloom up to the sky, wherein
Orb met with orb. How fearfully they clashed,
Looked through the gloom up to the sky, wherein
Orb met with orb. How fearfully they clashed,
And rent the heavens! Then Death gat hold of Sin,
And strangled her amidst the waves,..but kills
Her not. Behold no refuge! Earth hath been!
And strangled her amidst the waves,..but kills
Her not. Behold no refuge! Earth hath been!
180
With multitudes yon ample cavern fills,
Who, from the bursting waters rushing thence,
Meet myriads scaping from the falling Hills!
Who, from the bursting waters rushing thence,
Meet myriads scaping from the falling Hills!
IV.1
Yea, Earth hath been! and the magnificence
Of Cities was! Of all that they contained,
(After it in the distance aches the sense,)
Of Cities was! Of all that they contained,
(After it in the distance aches the sense,)
Yon little Speck is all that hath remained;
God's Angel guides the Ark, and guards it well,
Blessed, albeit on every side constrained—
God's Angel guides the Ark, and guards it well,
Blessed, albeit on every side constrained—
In its capacious womb a World doth dwell
In safety, creatures of the Earth and Air,
And Man their lord, and Woman, first who fell,
In safety, creatures of the Earth and Air,
And Man their lord, and Woman, first who fell,
Yet fairest of all things when all were fair;
Them guides God's Angel to their Ararat,
And renovated Earth awaits them there.
Them guides God's Angel to their Ararat,
And renovated Earth awaits them there.
IV.2.
Hope cheered them on their way, God's Presence that
Faith quickens in the souls of faithful men,
That moral Courage which the World spurns at,
Faith quickens in the souls of faithful men,
That moral Courage which the World spurns at,
But which shall conquer in the Trial, when
The Heroes of Earth's vulgar Victories,
Worse Flood shall whelm than rolled o'er giants then.
The Heroes of Earth's vulgar Victories,
Worse Flood shall whelm than rolled o'er giants then.
The living billows, beneath living skies,
Leap o'er their Carcasses, and nothing lives
Between, save that saved Ark, and he who flies,
Leap o'er their Carcasses, and nothing lives
Between, save that saved Ark, and he who flies,
Yon Raven, in the search of land, that gives
No footing to the Dove who straight returns:
And whom the Ark which sent her forth receives.
No footing to the Dove who straight returns:
And whom the Ark which sent her forth receives.
181
Again go forth, oh Dove! To him who yearns
The Olive-branch she brings! Go forth again!
She comes not back. Lo! Earth! and Man discerns.
The Olive-branch she brings! Go forth again!
She comes not back. Lo! Earth! and Man discerns.
IV.3.
Ye by the flood baptized, by Deluge slain—
Come ye to Judgement! lo, the Judge appears!
Where'er ye bide, on mountain or in plain,
Come ye to Judgement! lo, the Judge appears!
Where'er ye bide, on mountain or in plain,
Come in your multitudes! foretold by Seers,
Concurrent Prophecy of Paradise,
Dated co-eval with the Eternal Years,
Concurrent Prophecy of Paradise,
Dated co-eval with the Eternal Years,
Older than Earth, more ancient than the Skies—
Come Myriads! the Messiah to behold,
The Preacher like to Noah—Rise—arise!
Come Myriads! the Messiah to behold,
The Preacher like to Noah—Rise—arise!
He cometh with his Saints redeemed of old,
The Deeds of the Ungodly to confound,
And everlasting Judgement to unfold!
Hushed be the strain—the ground is holy ground.The Deeds of the Ungodly to confound,
And everlasting Judgement to unfold!
| The Descent into Hell | |