The fall of Nineveh A poem by Edwin Atherstone. Second edition: diligently corrected, and otherwise improved. In two volumes |
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 | The fall of Nineveh |  |
So they in Nineveh. The vanquished Medes,
In flight, meantime, held on. Six days they fled;
And six days did the chariots, and the horse,
Of the Assyrians follow. Vainly strove
The Median captains, in that host dismayed,
The wonted fire to rouse: sunk were their hearts;
Their arms were weak: for, in the aid of Heaven,
Coldly they trusted now; and the priest's words,
As dreams, held light. Six days, incessantly,
The chariots, and the horse, with their fierce foes,
Pursuing, held sharp conflict; and six days,
The foot, sore wearied, murmured secretly.
Hunger came also on them; for their food
Was now consumed; and but small store of wine,
Their hearts to cheer, remained.
In flight, meantime, held on. Six days they fled;
And six days did the chariots, and the horse,
Of the Assyrians follow. Vainly strove
The Median captains, in that host dismayed,
The wonted fire to rouse: sunk were their hearts;
Their arms were weak: for, in the aid of Heaven,
Coldly they trusted now; and the priest's words,
As dreams, held light. Six days, incessantly,
The chariots, and the horse, with their fierce foes,
Pursuing, held sharp conflict; and six days,
The foot, sore wearied, murmured secretly.
Hunger came also on them; for their food
Was now consumed; and but small store of wine,
Their hearts to cheer, remained.
Nor less the foe
Hungered and thirsted; for a barren plain
They traversed, wherein, widely scattered, dwelt
The husbandmen; nor, of provision, much,
Had they, for haste, brought with them.
Hungered and thirsted; for a barren plain
They traversed, wherein, widely scattered, dwelt
The husbandmen; nor, of provision, much,
Had they, for haste, brought with them.
But, at eve
Of the sixth day, the Medes a pleasant land
Nigh to the mountains found; with flocks, and herds,
And fruits, and men abounding. Each to each,
Then secretly the out-worn infantry
Whispered together,—and, from rank to rank,
Soon through the mass it spread,—“here must we part;
For, if we take not food and wine, our strength
Will be worn out; and we shall surely die.”
So, like to sands divided by the winds,
At night they parted, and took each his way.
Of the sixth day, the Medes a pleasant land
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And fruits, and men abounding. Each to each,
Then secretly the out-worn infantry
Whispered together,—and, from rank to rank,
Soon through the mass it spread,—“here must we part;
For, if we take not food and wine, our strength
Will be worn out; and we shall surely die.”
So, like to sands divided by the winds,
At night they parted, and took each his way.
This when the Assyrians the next morn beheld,—
For, distant far, the straggling foot were seen,—
Glad were they; and their scattered enemies
Hoped soon to overwhelm. But still the horse,
And chariots of the Medes, undauntedly
Confronted them: and they themselves with toil
Were worn, and hunger: also were their steeds,
By reason of the scanty herbage, faint,
And the long drought; for, as they passed before,
Their enemies all food, for man, and beast,
Consumed, or spoiled; and every well, and stream,
Troubled, and fouled; that neither man thereof,
Nor cattle, had enough. When, therefore, they
These things had pondered, longer in pursuit
They held not; but rejoiced, and cried aloud;
“Assyria's foes are scattered like the dust
Of the dry desert at the tempest's breath!
Together will they never come again!
Now, therefore, to the king let us with speed;
And, that which we have done, make known to him.”
For, distant far, the straggling foot were seen,—
Glad were they; and their scattered enemies
Hoped soon to overwhelm. But still the horse,
And chariots of the Medes, undauntedly
Confronted them: and they themselves with toil
Were worn, and hunger: also were their steeds,
By reason of the scanty herbage, faint,
And the long drought; for, as they passed before,
Their enemies all food, for man, and beast,
Consumed, or spoiled; and every well, and stream,
Troubled, and fouled; that neither man thereof,
Nor cattle, had enough. When, therefore, they
These things had pondered, longer in pursuit
They held not; but rejoiced, and cried aloud;
“Assyria's foes are scattered like the dust
Of the dry desert at the tempest's breath!
Together will they never come again!
Now, therefore, to the king let us with speed;
And, that which we have done, make known to him.”
With glad hearts turning, homeward then they went:
And, wheresoe'er they passed, proclaimed aloud,
“The king hath triumphed o'er his enemies;
They are trod down like grass! Long live the king!
May the king live for ever!”
And, wheresoe'er they passed, proclaimed aloud,
“The king hath triumphed o'er his enemies;
They are trod down like grass! Long live the king!
May the king live for ever!”
But, meantime,
The Median captains, when their foes they saw
Distant, and toward the city hasting back,—
Beneath the shade of a pine-grove made pause;
For now it was mid-day; and, being met,
Brief counsel took together. Many then,
Whose voices in debate, until that hour,
No man had heard, their thoughts with free words spake:
“Let us return unto our homes,” they said;
“For never will the soldiers meet again.”
The Median captains, when their foes they saw
Distant, and toward the city hasting back,—
Beneath the shade of a pine-grove made pause;
For now it was mid-day; and, being met,
Brief counsel took together. Many then,
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No man had heard, their thoughts with free words spake:
“Let us return unto our homes,” they said;
“For never will the soldiers meet again.”
But them Belesis questioned solemnly;
“What? are ye wiser than the immortal gods,
That ye resist their will, and choose your own?”
“What? are ye wiser than the immortal gods,
That ye resist their will, and choose your own?”
Arbaces then; who, on that morning first,
Sat in his chariot,—for his strength returned
Swiftly unto him,—spake aloud and said:
“Not now debate of that which ye will do;
Since of the present hour alone ye judge,
And of the morrow know not. For himself,
And for his wearied steed, let every man
Provision find: on yon lone mountain's top,
Where all may see it, be our banner fixed:
Also let heralds through the country go,
And call upon the soldiers to return:
So, in few days, we better shall perceive
How toward us are the minds of men disposed;
And if our aim we must abandon quite;
Or if the hand of God, as heretofore,
Is still held forth, to strengthen and protect.
But, for the morrow be debate reserved.
In council meeting then, his boldest thoughts
Who will, may speak: and that which must be done,
Or that must be endured,—let every man
His fellow strengthen to endure, or dare.
Meantime, from harness be the steeds released,
That this delicious herbage they may crop;
And let each man with food his heart make glad,
And temperate draughts; for wasted is our blood,
And our strength shrunken.”
Sat in his chariot,—for his strength returned
Swiftly unto him,—spake aloud and said:
“Not now debate of that which ye will do;
Since of the present hour alone ye judge,
And of the morrow know not. For himself,
And for his wearied steed, let every man
Provision find: on yon lone mountain's top,
Where all may see it, be our banner fixed:
Also let heralds through the country go,
And call upon the soldiers to return:
So, in few days, we better shall perceive
How toward us are the minds of men disposed;
And if our aim we must abandon quite;
Or if the hand of God, as heretofore,
Is still held forth, to strengthen and protect.
But, for the morrow be debate reserved.
In council meeting then, his boldest thoughts
Who will, may speak: and that which must be done,
Or that must be endured,—let every man
His fellow strengthen to endure, or dare.
Meantime, from harness be the steeds released,
That this delicious herbage they may crop;
And let each man with food his heart make glad,
And temperate draughts; for wasted is our blood,
And our strength shrunken.”
These calm words pleased all;
And, as he counselled them, so was it done.
They planted on the mountain's top their flag;
And numerous heralds near and far rode forth;
Urging the scattered legions to return.
And, as he counselled them, so was it done.
They planted on the mountain's top their flag;
And numerous heralds near and far rode forth;
Urging the scattered legions to return.
Nor vainly toiled they; for, ere evening fell,
Came thousands back; and far on in the night,
By twos, and threes, by scores, and hundreds, they
Returned, and pitched their tents,—yet listlessly,
Like men who have no hope.
Came thousands back; and far on in the night,
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Returned, and pitched their tents,—yet listlessly,
Like men who have no hope.
But, strong at heart,
As rose the sun, Arbaces, on a lawn
Mossy and green, amid the pine-grove's shade;
The captains called to council. With slow pace,
And downcast looks, they came. The bravest feared:
Arabia's king himself, and Azareel,
Zealous and faithful, to despair 'gan yield;
So in their cause the soldiers lukewarm seemed;
Hopeless of good, trusting no more in God.
The boldest and most valiant of them all,
The best course saw not. But, their fears to vent,
Bolder becoming,—of their prompt return
Each to his home, no few, in fight less known,
Now freely 'gan to talk.
As rose the sun, Arbaces, on a lawn
Mossy and green, amid the pine-grove's shade;
The captains called to council. With slow pace,
And downcast looks, they came. The bravest feared:
Arabia's king himself, and Azareel,
Zealous and faithful, to despair 'gan yield;
So in their cause the soldiers lukewarm seemed;
Hopeless of good, trusting no more in God.
The boldest and most valiant of them all,
The best course saw not. But, their fears to vent,
Bolder becoming,—of their prompt return
Each to his home, no few, in fight less known,
Now freely 'gan to talk.
Their chief, at length,
From his rude seat arising,—a fallen trunk,
Branchless, and thickly mossed,—before them all,
With slow step, walked; nor, than his beamy spear,
Other support unto his strengthening limbs
Now needed; though his heavy mail, as yet,
To endure, unable. O'er his linen vest,
Of Tyrian dye, gold-broidered; to the knee
Descending; and around his middle girt
By a broad belt, gem-clasped, and starred with gold,—
A lion's hide he wore. Dread of the plain
And forest, long had reigned the mighty beast:
But, by the young Arbaces singly met,
Him found at last his mightier. The huge spoil
O'er his left shoulder loosely now disposed;
His left hand lightly resting on the spear;
In view of all the captains stood the Mede;
And, with an eye of calm reproval, first,
The louder murmurers chiding,—patiently,
And with mild tone, to all his speech began.
From his rude seat arising,—a fallen trunk,
Branchless, and thickly mossed,—before them all,
With slow step, walked; nor, than his beamy spear,
Other support unto his strengthening limbs
Now needed; though his heavy mail, as yet,
To endure, unable. O'er his linen vest,
Of Tyrian dye, gold-broidered; to the knee
Descending; and around his middle girt
By a broad belt, gem-clasped, and starred with gold,—
A lion's hide he wore. Dread of the plain
And forest, long had reigned the mighty beast:
But, by the young Arbaces singly met,
Him found at last his mightier. The huge spoil
O'er his left shoulder loosely now disposed;
His left hand lightly resting on the spear;
In view of all the captains stood the Mede;
And, with an eye of calm reproval, first,
The louder murmurers chiding,—patiently,
And with mild tone, to all his speech began.
“Not in you now, my friends, do I behold
Your wonted greatness. Noblest heroism,
Not in commanding victory is shown,
But in the best endurance of reverse.
Conquest may be of chance; or Heaven's decree,
For its own end, to man inscrutable;
Since to the evil, as the good, sometimes
The victory is given,—not token, then,
Unerring, of desert: but, patiently,
With firm soul, to endure calamity;
With a calm wisdom, for our ills to seek
The remedy; or, cureless, with strong heart,
Unmurmuring, to bear; to Heaven's decree
Submiss in all,—this truest valour shows;
This man's best glory is; and all his own!
And why, my friends, thus sink ye in despair?
If God had victory decreed to you,
Without your toil and blood; arms to you, then,
Had useless been: upon your enemies
Ye might have looked; and scattered them like dust.
But, when some strong, proud tyrant's overthrow,
God doometh; to His chosen instruments
A task committeth He, that labor, skill,
Valour, and wisdom, and unbending soul,
Demandeth of them: lacking these, they fail:
Since, man the instrument, the means of man
Unto the end must work:—not unto God
Needful; but chosen.
Your wonted greatness. Noblest heroism,
Not in commanding victory is shown,
But in the best endurance of reverse.
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For its own end, to man inscrutable;
Since to the evil, as the good, sometimes
The victory is given,—not token, then,
Unerring, of desert: but, patiently,
With firm soul, to endure calamity;
With a calm wisdom, for our ills to seek
The remedy; or, cureless, with strong heart,
Unmurmuring, to bear; to Heaven's decree
Submiss in all,—this truest valour shows;
This man's best glory is; and all his own!
And why, my friends, thus sink ye in despair?
If God had victory decreed to you,
Without your toil and blood; arms to you, then,
Had useless been: upon your enemies
Ye might have looked; and scattered them like dust.
But, when some strong, proud tyrant's overthrow,
God doometh; to His chosen instruments
A task committeth He, that labor, skill,
Valour, and wisdom, and unbending soul,
Demandeth of them: lacking these, they fail:
Since, man the instrument, the means of man
Unto the end must work:—not unto God
Needful; but chosen.
“When the pestilence
Is sent to do His bidding,—not of man
Then seeketh He the aid: or when the floods
Are bid to overwhelm; or storms destroy;
Or earthquakes shake the nations,—not with man
Taketh He counsel then; nor aid of man
Needeth, His will to do.
Is sent to do His bidding,—not of man
Then seeketh He the aid: or when the floods
Are bid to overwhelm; or storms destroy;
Or earthquakes shake the nations,—not with man
Taketh He counsel then; nor aid of man
Needeth, His will to do.
“When, in one night,
The army of the proud Assyrian king,
Against Jerusalem hasting, He cut off,—
He asked not, then, the chariot, and the steed,
The sword, or mail of proof; the constant heart,
The wisdom, and the bravery, of man,—
He looked upon the sleeping myriads,
And they lay dead! Tempest, nor plague, nor fire,
Earthquake, nor lightning, nor the loosened floods,
Bade He go forth: deep silence, and the night,
Shadowed a slumbering host; deep silence still,
Unbroken, rested on a field of death!
Warrior, and war-horse, like to sculptured forms,
For aye lay stirless! All that drew the breath;
And all that from the nostrils breathed it forth;
Ceased in the midst thereof; and were stone-dead!
The army of the proud Assyrian king,
Against Jerusalem hasting, He cut off,—
He asked not, then, the chariot, and the steed,
The sword, or mail of proof; the constant heart,
The wisdom, and the bravery, of man,—
He looked upon the sleeping myriads,
And they lay dead! Tempest, nor plague, nor fire,
Earthquake, nor lightning, nor the loosened floods,
Bade He go forth: deep silence, and the night,
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Unbroken, rested on a field of death!
Warrior, and war-horse, like to sculptured forms,
For aye lay stirless! All that drew the breath;
And all that from the nostrils breathed it forth;
Ceased in the midst thereof; and were stone-dead!
“So, when His might He putteth forth, doth God
Bid, and behold it done; nor element,
Nor mortal strength requireth, Him to aid.
But, when to man a task He doth assign;
Then, strength of man, in arm, in mind, in heart,
Expecteth He: nor doth in vain expect:
For, whom He calleth, him He knoweth fit.
The heart awhile may cool, the strength may sink;
But a new fire will burn, new might arise:
God biddeth not, by man to suffer shame:
Not, for man's folly, doth Omniscience err;
Not for man's weakness, fails Omnipotence.
If ye, then, to this mighty work, by Heaven
Indeed are chosen; soon shall this despair
To hope be changed; this sorrow to great joy;
This utter darkness to a glorious light:
But, if alas! we have deceived ourselves,—
Our own poor instruments alone—not God's,—
Then, truly, will our labors all be vain:
Our quiet homes; if quiet more to be;
Place fitter for us than the perilous field!
Bid, and behold it done; nor element,
Nor mortal strength requireth, Him to aid.
But, when to man a task He doth assign;
Then, strength of man, in arm, in mind, in heart,
Expecteth He: nor doth in vain expect:
For, whom He calleth, him He knoweth fit.
The heart awhile may cool, the strength may sink;
But a new fire will burn, new might arise:
God biddeth not, by man to suffer shame:
Not, for man's folly, doth Omniscience err;
Not for man's weakness, fails Omnipotence.
If ye, then, to this mighty work, by Heaven
Indeed are chosen; soon shall this despair
To hope be changed; this sorrow to great joy;
This utter darkness to a glorious light:
But, if alas! we have deceived ourselves,—
Our own poor instruments alone—not God's,—
Then, truly, will our labors all be vain:
Our quiet homes; if quiet more to be;
Place fitter for us than the perilous field!
“But, if we cannot all we wish, obtain;
Let us, at least, all compass that we can.
If once we part, we never more shall meet!
To hope were folly! Without fear, will rage
The tyrant then; without remorse, destroy:
But, while together we remain; lives yet
The hope, that, else, would die; the flame is fed,
That, else, were wholly quenched; that, wisely fanned,
May yet its work designed, accomplish all.
Our force together kept—though weaker far
Than now; though nought attempting,—to a seed
May well be likened, planted in the earth;
Which, when the rains descend, and suns shine forth,
May to a goodly and a mighty tree
Spring up: but, like that seed, upon the rocks,
Or desert-sands, cast forth,—shall we, dispersed,
Hopeless for ever, perish utterly!
Though nothing doing, planning nothing; still
Awhile abide together: food enough,
Here have we; and the appetite to please:
Treasure in gold and silver lack we not:
Arms,—ay, and hearts, though frigid now, are ours:
Why then, like fearful children, to our homes
In such poor haste to run? What man shall say
That, even while we stand debating here,
The Bactrians may not be upon the way,
Eager to join us? or that, resolute still
Beholding us; they may not, in brief time,
To honor and right give heed? If for nought else,
For this yet hold together,—that an oath,
Of our oppressor, an all binding oath,
We may demand,—and haply may obtain,—
From our more galling fetters, a release,
To us, and to our children, promising.
From this delay, what harm can ye predict?
From perseverance, what success not win?
If now ye part,—hope nothing! all things fear!
But, if with firm soul to the last ye strive;
Then nothing fear; but all things hope, and gain!”
Let us, at least, all compass that we can.
If once we part, we never more shall meet!
To hope were folly! Without fear, will rage
The tyrant then; without remorse, destroy:
But, while together we remain; lives yet
The hope, that, else, would die; the flame is fed,
That, else, were wholly quenched; that, wisely fanned,
May yet its work designed, accomplish all.
Our force together kept—though weaker far
Than now; though nought attempting,—to a seed
May well be likened, planted in the earth;
Which, when the rains descend, and suns shine forth,
May to a goodly and a mighty tree
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Or desert-sands, cast forth,—shall we, dispersed,
Hopeless for ever, perish utterly!
Though nothing doing, planning nothing; still
Awhile abide together: food enough,
Here have we; and the appetite to please:
Treasure in gold and silver lack we not:
Arms,—ay, and hearts, though frigid now, are ours:
Why then, like fearful children, to our homes
In such poor haste to run? What man shall say
That, even while we stand debating here,
The Bactrians may not be upon the way,
Eager to join us? or that, resolute still
Beholding us; they may not, in brief time,
To honor and right give heed? If for nought else,
For this yet hold together,—that an oath,
Of our oppressor, an all binding oath,
We may demand,—and haply may obtain,—
From our more galling fetters, a release,
To us, and to our children, promising.
From this delay, what harm can ye predict?
From perseverance, what success not win?
If now ye part,—hope nothing! all things fear!
But, if with firm soul to the last ye strive;
Then nothing fear; but all things hope, and gain!”
So spake Arbaces; and his stirring words
Not all in vain: o'er every face some light,
Like the dim flutter of a dying fire,
A brief while gleamed. Next, Abdolonimus spake;
Then Azareel; and Israel's king, the last;
Bidding them trust in God, in Israel's God.
But him, with lip of scorn, regarded some;
Saying aloud, “We know not Israel's God,
Nor in him trust: but in our gods alone.”
Not all in vain: o'er every face some light,
Like the dim flutter of a dying fire,
A brief while gleamed. Next, Abdolonimus spake;
Then Azareel; and Israel's king, the last;
Bidding them trust in God, in Israel's God.
But him, with lip of scorn, regarded some;
Saying aloud, “We know not Israel's God,
Nor in him trust: but in our gods alone.”
Them Hadad answered not; but silent stood;
For, on him bent, he saw the Mede's calm eye,
To peace admonishing; and curbed his wrath.
For, on him bent, he saw the Mede's calm eye,
To peace admonishing; and curbed his wrath.
Nor more to him spake they; but 'mid themselves
Held gloomy converse; hope of final good,
Idle esteeming; and all farther toil,
Useless, as burthensome.
Held gloomy converse; hope of final good,
Idle esteeming; and all farther toil,
Useless, as burthensome.
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When this he saw;
And that, with look of uttermost disdain,
The priest gazed on them, and, for scorn, stood mute,
Strongly Arbaces said; “Why standest thou,
Belesis, silent; when thy words of fire,
Never than now more needed?”
And that, with look of uttermost disdain,
The priest gazed on them, and, for scorn, stood mute,
Strongly Arbaces said; “Why standest thou,
Belesis, silent; when thy words of fire,
Never than now more needed?”
Then the priest
Slowly came forward; lifted his right hand,
Attention asking; and all tongues were still.
His eye was stern; his brow was like the night.
In silence yet a little while he stood,
And looked in every face: at length, with voice
Subdued, at first,—like to a storm far off,
But rapidly advancing,—thus he spake.
Slowly came forward; lifted his right hand,
Attention asking; and all tongues were still.
His eye was stern; his brow was like the night.
In silence yet a little while he stood,
And looked in every face: at length, with voice
Subdued, at first,—like to a storm far off,
But rapidly advancing,—thus he spake.
“What would ye, then? Would ye give law to God?
To you alone may He grant victory?
Nay—must ye even the place, the hour, prescribe?
And is it then so wondrous, and so new,
That one man should by four men vanquished be?
Or would it not far more be wonderful,
If, by one man, should four be overcome?
To you alone may He grant victory?
Nay—must ye even the place, the hour, prescribe?
And is it then so wondrous, and so new,
That one man should by four men vanquished be?
Or would it not far more be wonderful,
If, by one man, should four be overcome?
“Think ye that in yon heaven above are Powers
That rule the earth; that lift the nations up,
Or overthrow them? that the kings thereof,
And governors, appoint? or, over heaven,
Doth man now rule; and say unto the Gods,
‘Thus shall it be; for so we will it done’?
That rule the earth; that lift the nations up,
Or overthrow them? that the kings thereof,
And governors, appoint? or, over heaven,
Doth man now rule; and say unto the Gods,
‘Thus shall it be; for so we will it done’?
“Is, then, Sardanapalus more than God,
That ye more fear him? Hath Heaven's king decreed,
‘Thus it shall be,’ and shall Assyria's king
Answer unto Him, ‘Nay, but as I will,
So shall it be’? If greater he than God,
Why have ye risen against him? Wherefore now
Hasten ye not to fall before his feet,
And humbly say; ‘Against thy majesty,
O king! we have transgressed! and death deserve.’
But, if God yet be mightier than he,
Why should ye fear him? Written is it not,
Even by the hand of the Eternal One,
That ye shall cast the tyrant from his throne;
And that abominable city burn;
And strew her ashes to the winds of heaven?
Shall the decrees of God be set at nought?
Or fear ye that His arm is withered up,
And His strength perished, that He cannot help?
Or, haply, doubt ye if your priest aright
The words of Heaven hath read? Within your hearts
Say ye perchance, ‘the man is lunatic
Or dreameth; wherefore should we trust in him?’
If such your thoughts, mark how I answer you.
As yon sun brightly shineth, when 'tis noon,
And not a cloud appeareth in the sky;
Even so distinctly to my inmost soul
Shone forth the great decree, which said, ‘behold!
This mighty kingdom of Assyria
Shall pass away; her pride shall be cast down;
Her king shall perish; and great Nineveh,
The city of her pomp, be known no more!’
That ye more fear him? Hath Heaven's king decreed,
‘Thus it shall be,’ and shall Assyria's king
Answer unto Him, ‘Nay, but as I will,
So shall it be’? If greater he than God,
Why have ye risen against him? Wherefore now
Hasten ye not to fall before his feet,
And humbly say; ‘Against thy majesty,
O king! we have transgressed! and death deserve.’
But, if God yet be mightier than he,
Why should ye fear him? Written is it not,
Even by the hand of the Eternal One,
That ye shall cast the tyrant from his throne;
And that abominable city burn;
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Shall the decrees of God be set at nought?
Or fear ye that His arm is withered up,
And His strength perished, that He cannot help?
Or, haply, doubt ye if your priest aright
The words of Heaven hath read? Within your hearts
Say ye perchance, ‘the man is lunatic
Or dreameth; wherefore should we trust in him?’
If such your thoughts, mark how I answer you.
As yon sun brightly shineth, when 'tis noon,
And not a cloud appeareth in the sky;
Even so distinctly to my inmost soul
Shone forth the great decree, which said, ‘behold!
This mighty kingdom of Assyria
Shall pass away; her pride shall be cast down;
Her king shall perish; and great Nineveh,
The city of her pomp, be known no more!’
“Who is there here that trusteth not in God?
Let him his chariots and his horse call forth,
His captains and his thousands,—and depart!
But, in the day of our sure victory,
Let him not ask a portion in our spoil,
Nor honor with our valiant. Lo! the day
Is nigh at hand, when the cold heart shall burn;
And the weak arm wax strong; when they who fled,
Shall conquer,—they who triumphed, be cast down:
For, the eternal hills shall pass away;
The waters of the great deep be dried up;
But never shall the word of God be vain;
Never shall His decree be set at nought!
Proclaim ye, then, throughout the camp, and say,
‘Let him that feareth, to his home depart!
But, whoso trusteth in the word of God,
Let him his arms prepare; and let his heart
Be joyful; for the day is nigh at hand!’
Let him his chariots and his horse call forth,
His captains and his thousands,—and depart!
But, in the day of our sure victory,
Let him not ask a portion in our spoil,
Nor honor with our valiant. Lo! the day
Is nigh at hand, when the cold heart shall burn;
And the weak arm wax strong; when they who fled,
Shall conquer,—they who triumphed, be cast down:
For, the eternal hills shall pass away;
The waters of the great deep be dried up;
But never shall the word of God be vain;
Never shall His decree be set at nought!
Proclaim ye, then, throughout the camp, and say,
‘Let him that feareth, to his home depart!
But, whoso trusteth in the word of God,
Let him his arms prepare; and let his heart
Be joyful; for the day is nigh at hand!’
“Yea do I prophesy,—even the fifth day hence,
Shall ye hear tidings of a coming help:
For, all the night in watching have I passed,
And prayer; and thus it hath been shown to me.
Until the fifth day tarry then, I pray;
But till the fifth day tarry. After that,
If no aid come; then have I seen a lie!
Then hath Heaven mocked me in mine agony:
Then have I been a dreamer, and a fool:
Then am I mad! Trust in me, then, no more;
But each man scoff at me; and go his way!”
Shall ye hear tidings of a coming help:
For, all the night in watching have I passed,
And prayer; and thus it hath been shown to me.
Until the fifth day tarry then, I pray;
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If no aid come; then have I seen a lie!
Then hath Heaven mocked me in mine agony:
Then have I been a dreamer, and a fool:
Then am I mad! Trust in me, then, no more;
But each man scoff at me; and go his way!”
So he with ardor: and his countenance
Shone brightly; like the prophet's, when his eye
Beholdeth visions. All that heard him, then;
Stirred by his words, and by his vehemence,
With one voice cried aloud, “Even as he saith,
So let it be!”
Shone brightly; like the prophet's, when his eye
Beholdeth visions. All that heard him, then;
Stirred by his words, and by his vehemence,
With one voice cried aloud, “Even as he saith,
So let it be!”
The council now dissolved;
The captains straightway 'mid the soldiers went;
Encouraged them; and bade them trust in God.
The captains straightway 'mid the soldiers went;
Encouraged them; and bade them trust in God.
Of their whole army, came back every man:
Joyful again they were, and strong of heart,
And in the prophet's word again had trust.
Joyful again they were, and strong of heart,
And in the prophet's word again had trust.
But, when the fourth day came, they offered up
A solemn sacrifice. With fervency
Belesis prayed; the multitude sang hymns,
And were exceeding joyful. Afterwards,
Nigh on the hour of sunset,—to the camp,
An agëd Israelitish minstrel came;
And with a clear voice sang unto his harp,
That thousands of the soldiers thronged to hear.
Then, when Belesis heard how strong his voice;
And that his hand was cunning; thus he said:
“Take thou refreshment now, and rest; for eve
Is come, and to their tents the soldiers haste:
But, when thou hast thy strength with rest, and food,
And wine recruited; to our leader's tent
Come thou,—for there to-night the captains feast,—
And sing, and play, before them. Let thy song
Again resound the praise of Israel's God:
How from Egyptian bondage, with strong hand,
He brought you forth: for surely is your God
Ours also; and there is no God but one.”
A solemn sacrifice. With fervency
Belesis prayed; the multitude sang hymns,
And were exceeding joyful. Afterwards,
Nigh on the hour of sunset,—to the camp,
An agëd Israelitish minstrel came;
And with a clear voice sang unto his harp,
That thousands of the soldiers thronged to hear.
Then, when Belesis heard how strong his voice;
And that his hand was cunning; thus he said:
“Take thou refreshment now, and rest; for eve
Is come, and to their tents the soldiers haste:
But, when thou hast thy strength with rest, and food,
And wine recruited; to our leader's tent
Come thou,—for there to-night the captains feast,—
And sing, and play, before them. Let thy song
Again resound the praise of Israel's God:
How from Egyptian bondage, with strong hand,
He brought you forth: for surely is your God
Ours also; and there is no God but one.”
The Hebrew bowed, and went: and, when with food,
And wine refreshed, unto the tent made speed.
And wine refreshed, unto the tent made speed.
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With a glad heart, Arbaces welcomed him:
The captains, also, gave him welcome glad;
For many had been sore discomforted,—
The fifth day now so near at hand, nor sign
Of help approaching,—that they doubted much,
And their brows darkened. To the harper, then,
A goblet charged with wine, Arbaces sent:
And, when the Hebrew had the bright juice quaffed,
And felt his heart rejoiced; with master-hand
He swept the strings, and lifted up his voice.
The captains, also, gave him welcome glad;
For many had been sore discomforted,—
The fifth day now so near at hand, nor sign
Of help approaching,—that they doubted much,
And their brows darkened. To the harper, then,
A goblet charged with wine, Arbaces sent:
And, when the Hebrew had the bright juice quaffed,
And felt his heart rejoiced; with master-hand
He swept the strings, and lifted up his voice.
| The fall of Nineveh | |