Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
With splendor that all former glory eclipsed,
Shone hell's vast council-hall; a wondrous blaze
Of sun-fired diamond. With astonishment struck,—
From outer darkness entering,—suddenly paused
The great Arch-Fiend, to gaze. From roof to floor,—
From floor to roof,—from side to side, he glanced:
Again from floor to roof,—from roof to floor,—
From side to side, he turned: in wonder lost,
To see heaven's brightness there. With no less joy,
Wonder, and triumph, the whole host looked round,
Speechless and motionless,—that, for a time,
Was silence deep throughout.
Shone hell's vast council-hall; a wondrous blaze
Of sun-fired diamond. With astonishment struck,—
From outer darkness entering,—suddenly paused
The great Arch-Fiend, to gaze. From roof to floor,—
From floor to roof,—from side to side, he glanced:
Again from floor to roof,—from roof to floor,—
From side to side, he turned: in wonder lost,
To see heaven's brightness there. With no less joy,
Wonder, and triumph, the whole host looked round,
Speechless and motionless,—that, for a time,
Was silence deep throughout.
But the fierce wrath
Not long could rest. That the unnumbered eyes,
Lightening together, most might wither him,—
Full in the front of the great semi-cirque,—
Accusers, judges, executioners too,—
On a low rock, the sinner against hell,
The contrite Spirit was placed. Not far removed,
Upon a loftier height, the towering form
Of Satan appeared; accuser chief, and judge
Inexorable. But, with other thought
Than vengeance, first seemed filled; though subtly so,
Vengeance to make the hotter. With raised head,
And arms outstretched, toward the sun-blazing roof,
Vast as a sky, he pointed; and, with voice
Exultant, as, to mortal sense, appears
Trumpet of victory, thus his proud thoughts spake.
Not long could rest. That the unnumbered eyes,
Lightening together, most might wither him,—
Full in the front of the great semi-cirque,—
Accusers, judges, executioners too,—
On a low rock, the sinner against hell,
The contrite Spirit was placed. Not far removed,
Upon a loftier height, the towering form
Of Satan appeared; accuser chief, and judge
Inexorable. But, with other thought
Than vengeance, first seemed filled; though subtly so,
Vengeance to make the hotter. With raised head,
366
Vast as a sky, he pointed; and, with voice
Exultant, as, to mortal sense, appears
Trumpet of victory, thus his proud thoughts spake.
| Israel in Egypt | |