 | [Poems by Dwight in] American poems, selected and original |  |
33
The TRIAL of FAITH.
1.
Part I.
Daniel, Chap. I.
Beneath the dawn, o'er Babel's fruitful plain,
In proud effulgence mov'd the conquering train.
Full on the sun's broad beam their buckler's ray
Streak'd the glad fields, and gave a mimic day.
With spiry splendor varying standards glow'd;
In pomp sublime majestic chieftains rode;
The silver clarions gave a solemn sound,
And cars unnumber'd, thundering shook the ground.
In proud effulgence mov'd the conquering train.
Full on the sun's broad beam their buckler's ray
Streak'd the glad fields, and gave a mimic day.
34
In pomp sublime majestic chieftains rode;
The silver clarions gave a solemn sound,
And cars unnumber'd, thundering shook the ground.
There Judah's spoils in proud display were borne;
There purple vesture mock'd the rising morn;
There sacred vessels, rich from Ophir's mine,
Beam'd their strong light, and imag'd art divine;
There mov'd the prince, the queen, the lord, the sage,
And hapless captive throngs of every age.
There purple vesture mock'd the rising morn;
There sacred vessels, rich from Ophir's mine,
Beam'd their strong light, and imag'd art divine;
There mov'd the prince, the queen, the lord, the sage,
And hapless captive throngs of every age.
High-thron'd, the monarch from his golden car,
Survey'd the trophies of successful war.
Majestic, tall, the mighty hero rose,
Born to command, and dreadful to his foes:
His lofty limbs, enrob'd in rich attire
Of steel, and gold, were circled round with fire:
His pride, his soul, expanded at the sight,
And his glad eye-balls warm'd with living light.
Survey'd the trophies of successful war.
Majestic, tall, the mighty hero rose,
Born to command, and dreadful to his foes:
His lofty limbs, enrob'd in rich attire
Of steel, and gold, were circled round with fire:
His pride, his soul, expanded at the sight,
And his glad eye-balls warm'd with living light.
As o'er the captive train he cast his eyes,
And heard, unmov'd, their mingled groans and cries,
Four youths, companions, silent pass'd along,
By form distinguish'd from the vulgar throng.
Fair o'er them trembled beauty's purple flame;
Their eyes, as angels', cast a sunny beam;
Sublime their port; serene their solemn look;
By fear unaw'd, by heaviest woes unbroke;
To ills superior; earth and time above;
But touch'd with kindred woe, and yearning love.
The monarch gaz'd.—His fierce and hardy mind
Then first with sweet and tender thoughts refin'd;
He felt each nerve with strange emotion thrill,
And down each cheek new tears in silence steal.
No more the host, no more the spoils appear'd;
No more the trump's inspiring voice was heard;
Fix'd as he gaz'd, to soft compassion won,
The pomp was buried, and the triumph gone.
And heard, unmov'd, their mingled groans and cries,
Four youths, companions, silent pass'd along,
By form distinguish'd from the vulgar throng.
Fair o'er them trembled beauty's purple flame;
Their eyes, as angels', cast a sunny beam;
Sublime their port; serene their solemn look;
By fear unaw'd, by heaviest woes unbroke;
To ills superior; earth and time above;
But touch'd with kindred woe, and yearning love.
The monarch gaz'd.—His fierce and hardy mind
Then first with sweet and tender thoughts refin'd;
35
And down each cheek new tears in silence steal.
No more the host, no more the spoils appear'd;
No more the trump's inspiring voice was heard;
Fix'd as he gaz'd, to soft compassion won,
The pomp was buried, and the triumph gone.
To Arioch then, his favor'd, faithful slave,
The turning prince his sovereign pleasure gave:
“Seest thou, my Arioch, those bright, youthful forms;
“What grace surrounds them, and what beauty warms!
“With what fair pride, magnificently great,
“They move superior to their humble fate!
“For arms, for empire, not for bondage made,
“They win my soul, and claim imperial aid.
“Go then, my Arioch, go, their steps pursue;
“With gentle sympathy their souls subdue;
“Their monarch's favour to their hearts ensure;
“Win them from grief; disrobe their rags impure;
“Their course immediate to the palace bend;
“Let faithful Ashpenaz their steps attend;
“Superior far to all in every grace,
“Among the chosen youths appoint the place.”
The turning prince his sovereign pleasure gave:
“Seest thou, my Arioch, those bright, youthful forms;
“What grace surrounds them, and what beauty warms!
“With what fair pride, magnificently great,
“They move superior to their humble fate!
“For arms, for empire, not for bondage made,
“They win my soul, and claim imperial aid.
“Go then, my Arioch, go, their steps pursue;
“With gentle sympathy their souls subdue;
“Their monarch's favour to their hearts ensure;
“Win them from grief; disrobe their rags impure;
“Their course immediate to the palace bend;
“Let faithful Ashpenaz their steps attend;
“Superior far to all in every grace,
“Among the chosen youths appoint the place.”
The monarch spake. The faithful chief obey'd,
And to the palace strait the youths convey'd.
There Ashpenaz, the eunuch's prince, receiv'd,
To hope restor'd them, and from want reliev'd.
Cheer'd with kind words, their every wish obey'd,
And thus, with soft and tender accent, said:—
And to the palace strait the youths convey'd.
There Ashpenaz, the eunuch's prince, receiv'd,
To hope restor'd them, and from want reliev'd.
Cheer'd with kind words, their every wish obey'd,
And thus, with soft and tender accent, said:—
“All-lovely youths! attir'd with every grace,
‘The best, and brightest, of your hapless race,
‘Think not, from war's dire scenes, the Assyrian mind,
‘To love impervious, or to misery blind.
‘Even the great prince, our mighty realm who sways,
‘Train'd in fierce wars, and nurs'd in bloody ways,
‘Though proudly borne on Conquest's lofty wings,
‘Lord of a world, and king of countless kings,
‘Yet bade me kindly every want supply,
‘No hope extinguish, and no joy deny.
‘The best, and brightest, of your hapless race,
36
‘To love impervious, or to misery blind.
‘Even the great prince, our mighty realm who sways,
‘Train'd in fierce wars, and nurs'd in bloody ways,
‘Though proudly borne on Conquest's lofty wings,
‘Lord of a world, and king of countless kings,
‘Yet bade me kindly every want supply,
‘No hope extinguish, and no joy deny.
‘By his command, on kingly dainties fed,
‘Serv'd by his slaves, and in his palace bred,
‘In every art, in every mystery train'd,
‘By lords approv'd, by royal love sustain'd.
‘Your lives, in peace serene, shall glide away,
‘New joys returning with returning day.
‘Serv'd by his slaves, and in his palace bred,
‘In every art, in every mystery train'd,
‘By lords approv'd, by royal love sustain'd.
‘Your lives, in peace serene, shall glide away,
‘New joys returning with returning day.
‘For me, my bosom, not of stubborn steel,
‘Well knows to love, and long has learn'd to feel.
‘Your woes, O Youths, your nation's fate severe,
‘Pierce my sad soul, and prompt the tender tear.
‘Each gentle act, that marks a parent's hand,
‘From faithful Ashpenaz assur'd command;
‘From earliest years, to youths a constant guide,
‘'Tis joy to bless them, and to serve is pride.”
‘Well knows to love, and long has learn'd to feel.
‘Your woes, O Youths, your nation's fate severe,
‘Pierce my sad soul, and prompt the tender tear.
‘Each gentle act, that marks a parent's hand,
‘From faithful Ashpenaz assur'd command;
‘From earliest years, to youths a constant guide,
‘'Tis joy to bless them, and to serve is pride.”
Thus spoke the prince. With meek, but solemn grace,
The elder youth return'd this sad address:
‘O Prince of Eunuchs, soothing friend of woe!
‘Thy gentle solace bids our sorrows flow:
‘With love, with gratitude, our bosoms burn,
‘But, pierc'd with grief, our hapless nation mourn.
‘For ah! her sons, of every good forlorn,
‘Waste with dire want, or shrink from piercing scorn;
‘Or rage, in slaughter bids them weltering roll;
‘Or gloomy slavery blasts the wither'd soul;
‘Her childless mothers spread the reeking ground;
‘Her babes, unpitied, glut the hungry hound;
‘Levell'd in dust, her heaven-built Temple lies,
‘And SALEM's smoking ruins fill the skies.
‘More dread these splendors shew the fearful doom,
‘As day more deeply shades the darksome tomb:
‘Then, mid all joys, permit our hearts to mourn,
‘Nor think thy goodness meets a base return.”
The elder youth return'd this sad address:
‘O Prince of Eunuchs, soothing friend of woe!
‘Thy gentle solace bids our sorrows flow:
‘With love, with gratitude, our bosoms burn,
‘But, pierc'd with grief, our hapless nation mourn.
‘For ah! her sons, of every good forlorn,
‘Waste with dire want, or shrink from piercing scorn;
37
‘Or gloomy slavery blasts the wither'd soul;
‘Her childless mothers spread the reeking ground;
‘Her babes, unpitied, glut the hungry hound;
‘Levell'd in dust, her heaven-built Temple lies,
‘And SALEM's smoking ruins fill the skies.
‘More dread these splendors shew the fearful doom,
‘As day more deeply shades the darksome tomb:
‘Then, mid all joys, permit our hearts to mourn,
‘Nor think thy goodness meets a base return.”
He spoke. The prince, to chambers proud and fair,
Led the sad youths, and sooth'd their rising care,
Their graceful forms in splendid garments dress'd,
And kindly cheer'd their troubled minds to rest.
Led the sad youths, and sooth'd their rising care,
Their graceful forms in splendid garments dress'd,
And kindly cheer'd their troubled minds to rest.
As now all-fragrant spread the rich repast,
Cates of all climes, and wines of every taste;
Deep cares revolving in his troubled breast,
His chosen friends the elder youth address'd:—
Cates of all climes, and wines of every taste;
Deep cares revolving in his troubled breast,
His chosen friends the elder youth address'd:—
“O youths, refin'd in fierce affliction's flame,
‘Like gold, refulgent with undrossy beam!
‘Now new alarms your virtuous minds assail,
‘New dangers tempt, and untried foes prevail.
‘As icy rocks, by winter beat in vain,
‘Yeild to mild suns, and melt in vernal rain,
‘So the firm heart, no cruelty could move,
‘May lose each virtue in the beams of love.
‘Those cates, compos'd of all things rich and rare,
‘Cull'd with nice art, and dress'd with skilful care,
‘From truth's fair path our footsteps softly charm,
‘Our prayers enfeeble, and our faith disarm.
‘To purest food the sacred law confin'd,
‘The taste luxurious, and the wandering mind.
‘Fix'd be our hearts its high behests to obey,
‘Nor let vain banquets lure our feet astray.
‘From humble pulse serenest peace shall spring,
‘Health nerve the limbs, and lift the mental wing;
‘The soul, the form, with health and beauty bloom,
‘And heaven complacent grant a milder doom.”
‘Like gold, refulgent with undrossy beam!
‘Now new alarms your virtuous minds assail,
‘New dangers tempt, and untried foes prevail.
‘As icy rocks, by winter beat in vain,
‘Yeild to mild suns, and melt in vernal rain,
‘So the firm heart, no cruelty could move,
‘May lose each virtue in the beams of love.
‘Those cates, compos'd of all things rich and rare,
‘Cull'd with nice art, and dress'd with skilful care,
‘From truth's fair path our footsteps softly charm,
‘Our prayers enfeeble, and our faith disarm.
38
‘The taste luxurious, and the wandering mind.
‘Fix'd be our hearts its high behests to obey,
‘Nor let vain banquets lure our feet astray.
‘From humble pulse serenest peace shall spring,
‘Health nerve the limbs, and lift the mental wing;
‘The soul, the form, with health and beauty bloom,
‘And heaven complacent grant a milder doom.”
Thus spoke the youth. With smiles of pure delight,
In duty's path the assenting friends unite,
To heaven the feast, the roving wish resign'd,
And gain'd the banquet of the obedient mind.
In duty's path the assenting friends unite,
To heaven the feast, the roving wish resign'd,
And gain'd the banquet of the obedient mind.
The courteous prince, by soft intreaties led,
Indulg'd their prayer, and gave the humble bread.
Heaven bless'd its sons.—As mid the inferior grove,
Four beauteous pines ascend the clouds above,
Mid heats, and droughts, and storms, and frost, and snow,
Through the full year with living verdure grow,
O'er every wood, with pride majestic, reign,
And wave exulting round the adjacent plain:
In port, in stature, thus, with thoughts sublime,
And worth, superior to the assaults of time,
Their gentle manners, great beyond disguise,
Friendly to man, and faithful to the skies,
The favour'd captives grew, and learn'd to soar
Through all the mysteries of Chaldean lore;
Learn'd how the stars in solemn splendor roll;
How countless realms compose one mighty whole;
What arts, what mazes, through the system run;
How hosts are marshall'd, and how fields are won.
Indulg'd their prayer, and gave the humble bread.
Heaven bless'd its sons.—As mid the inferior grove,
Four beauteous pines ascend the clouds above,
Mid heats, and droughts, and storms, and frost, and snow,
Through the full year with living verdure grow,
O'er every wood, with pride majestic, reign,
And wave exulting round the adjacent plain:
In port, in stature, thus, with thoughts sublime,
And worth, superior to the assaults of time,
Their gentle manners, great beyond disguise,
Friendly to man, and faithful to the skies,
The favour'd captives grew, and learn'd to soar
Through all the mysteries of Chaldean lore;
Learn'd how the stars in solemn splendor roll;
How countless realms compose one mighty whole;
What arts, what mazes, through the system run;
How hosts are marshall'd, and how fields are won.
39
2. PART II.
Daniel, Chap. II.
Thus rose the youths, by lords and kings approv'd,
By earth exalted, and by Heaven belov'd,
When, lost in slumbers as the sovereign lay,
What time fair Phosphor sings the approach of day,
Full to his eyes a vision rose sublime,
Big with dread mysteries of ascending time.
Alarm'd, awak'd, he left the thorny bed;
His sleep all vanish'd, and the vision fled:
In vain he tried the wonders to restore,
The fleeted phantom met his eyes no more.
By earth exalted, and by Heaven belov'd,
When, lost in slumbers as the sovereign lay,
What time fair Phosphor sings the approach of day,
Full to his eyes a vision rose sublime,
Big with dread mysteries of ascending time.
Alarm'd, awak'd, he left the thorny bed;
His sleep all vanish'd, and the vision fled:
In vain he tried the wonders to restore,
The fleeted phantom met his eyes no more.
Then deep convulsions shook his stormy mind,
That knew no crosses, and no wish resign'd.
At once he summon'd all the learn'd and wise,
Skill'd to explain, and artful to disguise,
Practis'd to bode, in words of soothing guile,
New feats, new triumphs, and new realms of spoil.
And thus the king—“Let every sage and feer,
Dreamer of dreams, and star-taught prophet hear!
This night, as sunk in sleep, your monarch lay,
When truth's clear dreams attend approaching day,
Before my eyes a solemn vision rose,
Clear, full, distinct, as morn's full splendor glows;
Fill'd with dread scenes, with acts of mighty name,
With change of empires, and with years of fame.
I wak'd—I rose—but all the events of night
Fled from my view, and took their final flight.
Then hear, ye sages; borne by skill sublime,
Thro' the dark ages of ascending time,
Explore the vision, make the wonders known;
And tell what changes wait the Assyrian throne.”
That knew no crosses, and no wish resign'd.
At once he summon'd all the learn'd and wise,
Skill'd to explain, and artful to disguise,
Practis'd to bode, in words of soothing guile,
New feats, new triumphs, and new realms of spoil.
And thus the king—“Let every sage and feer,
Dreamer of dreams, and star-taught prophet hear!
This night, as sunk in sleep, your monarch lay,
When truth's clear dreams attend approaching day,
40
Clear, full, distinct, as morn's full splendor glows;
Fill'd with dread scenes, with acts of mighty name,
With change of empires, and with years of fame.
I wak'd—I rose—but all the events of night
Fled from my view, and took their final flight.
Then hear, ye sages; borne by skill sublime,
Thro' the dark ages of ascending time,
Explore the vision, make the wonders known;
And tell what changes wait the Assyrian throne.”
The Hero spoke. Around the spacious room
The strange command diffus'd a solemn gloom;
When thus a hoary sage—“O king divine,
Be endless life, and power, and honour thine!
Thy high behests our hearts delight to obey;
We own thy glory, and we bless thy sway.
But, O dread Prince, thy visions to reveal,
Transcends the efforts of terrestial skill.
Could'st thou, by memory's aid, the scenes restore,
Easy thy seers the mystery would explore;
Would teach, for thee what crowns of triumph bloom,
Or what new nations meet the general doom.
The Gods alone, to whose unbounded eye
Spread, in clear sight, all realms beneath the sky,
In obvious view the stars immensely roll,
Or on fleet pinions roves the wandering soul,
Can bid the eventful scenes of night return,
Or ope the vanish'd visions of the morn.
A new command, a labour yet undone,
Thy will enjoins us, and thy voice makes known,
Nor lord requir'd, nor prophet e'er divin'd,
The secret motions of the mazy mind.”
The strange command diffus'd a solemn gloom;
When thus a hoary sage—“O king divine,
Be endless life, and power, and honour thine!
Thy high behests our hearts delight to obey;
We own thy glory, and we bless thy sway.
But, O dread Prince, thy visions to reveal,
Transcends the efforts of terrestial skill.
Could'st thou, by memory's aid, the scenes restore,
Easy thy seers the mystery would explore;
Would teach, for thee what crowns of triumph bloom,
Or what new nations meet the general doom.
The Gods alone, to whose unbounded eye
Spread, in clear sight, all realms beneath the sky,
In obvious view the stars immensely roll,
Or on fleet pinions roves the wandering soul,
Can bid the eventful scenes of night return,
Or ope the vanish'd visions of the morn.
A new command, a labour yet undone,
Thy will enjoins us, and thy voice makes known,
41
The secret motions of the mazy mind.”
The monarch heard. With sudden anger bright,
From his fierce eye-balls flash'd a withering light:
Sternly he cried,—“Base, impious wretches, hear
What wrath betides you, and what fate is near.
If, taught by heaven, your hearts the dream divine,
Wealth waits your steps, and crowns before you shine:
Prophets of truth, your race shall then be seen,
Lov'd by the Gods, and precious gifts to men.
But if this feat your purblind skill denies,
Each wretch, who soils the robe of wisdom, dies.
Mock'd by your boasts, my soul, no longer tame,
Shall rouse to sense, and bid just vengeance flame;
Each pamper'd carcase this right hand shall tear,
Glut the rob'd wolves, and feast the fowls of air.
Your hosts, your houses, give to flames a prey,
And sweep the nuisance from the world away.”
From his fierce eye-balls flash'd a withering light:
Sternly he cried,—“Base, impious wretches, hear
What wrath betides you, and what fate is near.
If, taught by heaven, your hearts the dream divine,
Wealth waits your steps, and crowns before you shine:
Prophets of truth, your race shall then be seen,
Lov'd by the Gods, and precious gifts to men.
But if this feat your purblind skill denies,
Each wretch, who soils the robe of wisdom, dies.
Mock'd by your boasts, my soul, no longer tame,
Shall rouse to sense, and bid just vengeance flame;
Each pamper'd carcase this right hand shall tear,
Glut the rob'd wolves, and feast the fowls of air.
Your hosts, your houses, give to flames a prey,
And sweep the nuisance from the world away.”
He spoke: the seers withdrew.—The realm around,
From voice to voice diffus'd the dismal sound.
From Arioch, Ashpenaz the tidings knew!
With thoughts all anxious to the youths he flew,
Rehears'd the tale—and “You, by worth betray'd,
Must soon,” he cried, “be number'd with the dead.”
“Fear not, O Prince,”—the elder youth reply'd:
“While heaven commands no ills the just betide.
Virtue refines, beneath affliction's power,
As gold runs beauteous from dissolving ore.
To light the dream shall rise, or, if the sky
Ordains our death, 'tis highest gain to die.
Unmov'd, our hearts, that thousand deaths have known
In Judah's woes, will meet the pangs of one;
From toil, and grief, and shame, unpinion'd rise,
And mix with angels in their native skies.
But haste, ah haste, and faithful Arioch bring,
E're he commence the vengeance of the king;
This night, shall Heaven the vanish'd scenes restore,
And save the prophets from vindictive power.”
From voice to voice diffus'd the dismal sound.
From Arioch, Ashpenaz the tidings knew!
With thoughts all anxious to the youths he flew,
Rehears'd the tale—and “You, by worth betray'd,
Must soon,” he cried, “be number'd with the dead.”
“Fear not, O Prince,”—the elder youth reply'd:
“While heaven commands no ills the just betide.
Virtue refines, beneath affliction's power,
As gold runs beauteous from dissolving ore.
To light the dream shall rise, or, if the sky
Ordains our death, 'tis highest gain to die.
42
In Judah's woes, will meet the pangs of one;
From toil, and grief, and shame, unpinion'd rise,
And mix with angels in their native skies.
But haste, ah haste, and faithful Arioch bring,
E're he commence the vengeance of the king;
This night, shall Heaven the vanish'd scenes restore,
And save the prophets from vindictive power.”
The Prince to Arioch flew, and, bath'd in tears,
Rehears'd the tale of mingled hopes, and fears.
He came: And pleas'd to stay the monarch's rage,
Led to the throne the young, unbearded sage.
With mild regard, the softening sovereign view'd,
While worth, and beauty, half his wrath subdued,
Heard him, with modest mien, his hope propose,
That Heaven, ere morn, the vision would disclose,
And bade glad Arioch vengeance dire delay,
'Till the wish'd hour should ope the promis'd day.
Rehears'd the tale of mingled hopes, and fears.
He came: And pleas'd to stay the monarch's rage,
Led to the throne the young, unbearded sage.
With mild regard, the softening sovereign view'd,
While worth, and beauty, half his wrath subdued,
Heard him, with modest mien, his hope propose,
That Heaven, ere morn, the vision would disclose,
And bade glad Arioch vengeance dire delay,
'Till the wish'd hour should ope the promis'd day.
Those hours, the youths consum'd in fasts severe,
And the pure fervence of effectual prayer.
The God of worlds, to whom, with beam divine,
Fairer than morn the sons of Zion shine,
With love all bounteous bade the vision rise,
Dread, full, and clear, to Daniel's slumbering eyes.
And the pure fervence of effectual prayer.
The God of worlds, to whom, with beam divine,
Fairer than morn the sons of Zion shine,
With love all bounteous bade the vision rise,
Dread, full, and clear, to Daniel's slumbering eyes.
At earliest dawn, the youths, in bright array,
Toward the new palace bent their early way;
Through rows of lords, and rows of kings they pass'd,
While eyes of wonder thousands on them cast;
For round the court had spread the fearful doom,
That mark'd the guiltless Magi to the tomb.
Toward the new palace bent their early way;
Through rows of lords, and rows of kings they pass'd,
While eyes of wonder thousands on them cast;
For round the court had spread the fearful doom,
That mark'd the guiltless Magi to the tomb.
43
Before the throne the beardless prophets stood;
Round their fair forms the grace of virtue glow'd;
Pleas'd, the great monarch view'd: With softer ray,
His eye-balls smil'd their fiercer flames away;
His settling visage lost its wrathful form,
As Spring looks fair behind a wintery storm.
Round their fair forms the grace of virtue glow'd;
Pleas'd, the great monarch view'd: With softer ray,
His eye-balls smil'd their fiercer flames away;
His settling visage lost its wrathful form,
As Spring looks fair behind a wintery storm.
“O King of kings?” the elder youth began—
“Thy dread request transcends the power of man.
In vain thy seers the vision would regain;
Like ours, their wishes, toils, and tears, are vain.
'Tis God alone the wonders can display,
The God, who form'd the heaven, the earth, and sea;
Naked, and clear, before whose searching eye,
The soul, the thoughts, and deep affections lie;
He brought the eventful vision to thy sight,
And he again commands it into light.
“Thy dread request transcends the power of man.
In vain thy seers the vision would regain;
Like ours, their wishes, toils, and tears, are vain.
'Tis God alone the wonders can display,
The God, who form'd the heaven, the earth, and sea;
Naked, and clear, before whose searching eye,
The soul, the thoughts, and deep affections lie;
He brought the eventful vision to thy sight,
And he again commands it into light.
“What time the dew of peace around thy bed
The silent slumbers of the morning spread,
Dread to thine eyes a wonderous image shone,
Awful in form, in splendor like the sun.
Its head of flaming gold, its arms and breast,
Of silver fair, inferior worth confess'd;
Its thighs and belly glow'd with brazen light;
Its legs, of iron, mark'd resistless might;
Its iron feet, commix'd with miry clay,
Display'd unsolid power, to time a prey.
When lo! spontaneous, from the mountains rent,
A stone came thundering down, with swift descent;
Full on the form, with mighty force it burst,
Crush'd all its limbs, and ground its frame to dust;
Borne by the winds, thou saw'st its ruins fly,
Like chaff, when whirlwinds sweep the summer sky.
And as a rising cloud, but just beheld,
Approaching, widens o'er the aerial field,
Expands, ascends, and, slow thro ether driven,
Sails thro the immense, and fills the bounds of heaven:
So the small cliff to rise, and swell, began,
Spread thro' the fields, the neighbouring groves o'er-ran,
O'er towns, o'er realms, o'er mountains, left the eye,
Uprose beyond the clouds, and heav'd the boundless sky.
The silent slumbers of the morning spread,
Dread to thine eyes a wonderous image shone,
Awful in form, in splendor like the sun.
Its head of flaming gold, its arms and breast,
Of silver fair, inferior worth confess'd;
Its thighs and belly glow'd with brazen light;
Its legs, of iron, mark'd resistless might;
Its iron feet, commix'd with miry clay,
Display'd unsolid power, to time a prey.
When lo! spontaneous, from the mountains rent,
A stone came thundering down, with swift descent;
Full on the form, with mighty force it burst,
Crush'd all its limbs, and ground its frame to dust;
44
Like chaff, when whirlwinds sweep the summer sky.
And as a rising cloud, but just beheld,
Approaching, widens o'er the aerial field,
Expands, ascends, and, slow thro ether driven,
Sails thro the immense, and fills the bounds of heaven:
So the small cliff to rise, and swell, began,
Spread thro' the fields, the neighbouring groves o'er-ran,
O'er towns, o'er realms, o'er mountains, left the eye,
Uprose beyond the clouds, and heav'd the boundless sky.
“'Tis thus, O king! the Lord of Heaven declares,
What scenes roll onward with the tide of years.
By us, his sovereign voice to thee makes known,
And tells what changes wait the Assyrian throne.
What scenes roll onward with the tide of years.
By us, his sovereign voice to thee makes known,
And tells what changes wait the Assyrian throne.
“Thou art this head of gold: Thy power sublime,
Rules thousand kings, and spreads thro every clime.
But soon thy glory hastens to decay,
Soon the bright arms commence a humbler sway:
That too shall fail; the brazen kingdom rise,
Like ocean, spreading to surrounding skies.
As iron then an empire strong shall spring,
Subdue each realm, and vanquish every king:
Beneath its wonderous power, all nature yeilds,
Europe's lone wilds, and Asia's cultur'd fields.
Hence various kings, to art, and force, a prey,
As iron potent, yet dissolv'd like clay:
Unsound, unsolid, shall their empire rise,
Varying, as clouds their changes in the skies.
In those far distant days, o'er every land,
Shall God's dread sceptre rear its high command:
Before its power, resisting powers decay;
Nations, and kings, and empires, melt away;
Through unknown wilds the vast dominion roll,
Extend its conquering force from pole to pole;
From morn's far regions reach the shores of even,
Fill earth, and time, and rear its pomp to heaven.
Thus, King of kings! the heavens thy dream restore,
And teach the changes of terrestial power.”
Rules thousand kings, and spreads thro every clime.
But soon thy glory hastens to decay,
Soon the bright arms commence a humbler sway:
That too shall fail; the brazen kingdom rise,
Like ocean, spreading to surrounding skies.
As iron then an empire strong shall spring,
Subdue each realm, and vanquish every king:
Beneath its wonderous power, all nature yeilds,
Europe's lone wilds, and Asia's cultur'd fields.
Hence various kings, to art, and force, a prey,
As iron potent, yet dissolv'd like clay:
Unsound, unsolid, shall their empire rise,
Varying, as clouds their changes in the skies.
In those far distant days, o'er every land,
Shall God's dread sceptre rear its high command:
45
Nations, and kings, and empires, melt away;
Through unknown wilds the vast dominion roll,
Extend its conquering force from pole to pole;
From morn's far regions reach the shores of even,
Fill earth, and time, and rear its pomp to heaven.
Thus, King of kings! the heavens thy dream restore,
And teach the changes of terrestial power.”
The monarch heard, and look'd, when heavenly flame,
Round the fair youths should cast a golden beam;
Or o'er their limbs instinctive lightnings run;
Or rainbow'd pinions lift them to the sun.
Prostrate to earth he fell: and,—“Oh!” he cries,
“Your God is Lord of gods, and worlds, and skies:
He, only he, could make these visions known;
Let praise, and glory, wait his heavenly throne.”
Round the fair youths should cast a golden beam;
Or o'er their limbs instinctive lightnings run;
Or rainbow'd pinions lift them to the sun.
Prostrate to earth he fell: and,—“Oh!” he cries,
“Your God is Lord of gods, and worlds, and skies:
He, only he, could make these visions known;
Let praise, and glory, wait his heavenly throne.”
To Daniel, then the raptur'd hero bade
Incense be fir'd, and rich oblations paid;
O'er his prime lords his favourite place ordain'd,
A prince to every king, and every land:
While, high o'er Babel's realm, his partners sate
In kingly favour, and judicial state.
Incense be fir'd, and rich oblations paid;
O'er his prime lords his favourite place ordain'd,
A prince to every king, and every land:
While, high o'er Babel's realm, his partners sate
In kingly favour, and judicial state.
Where'er they pass'd, pursuing wonder came;
The Magi bless'd, the children lisp'd their name;
To them were Judah's prayers and blessings given,
And the poor mark'd them as the sons of Heaven.
The Magi bless'd, the children lisp'd their name;
To them were Judah's prayers and blessings given,
And the poor mark'd them as the sons of Heaven.
46
3. PART III.
Daniel, Chap. III.
And now once more, the spacious empire round,
War's fearful clarion ceas'd its shrilling sound;
Her voice harmonious, on subsiding gales,
Sweet peace resounded through the gladdening vales:
When lo, new fears the faithful friends await,
And other trials lour'd approaching fate.
Long through the monarch's soul the project ran,
(Grateful to proud and heaven-dethroning man)
To bind the soul, the conscience to enchain,
And force one worship through his wide domain.
Fir'd with the fond design, an image fair,
Rich with pure gold, and gem'd with many a star.
He form'd, fair image of the morning sun,
Acknowledg'd guardian of th'Assyrian throne.
To this, his soul decreed mankind should bow,
Each victim burn, and rise each sacred vow,
And bade his mighty lords direct their way
To meet their sovereign, on th'appointed day.
North of proud Babel's walls, from sky to sky,
The plain of Dura left the labouring eye:
There willows wav'd o'er Tygris flowery side:
There broad Euphrates roll'd his mighty tide.
This the dread scene the monarch's will ordain'd;
And hither throng'd the lords of many a land.
As now the destin'd morn her lustre shed,
Here o'er the fields a host immensely spread;
Kings, nobles, chieftains, every sage and seer,
And hosts of slaves, and warriors gather'd here.
War's fearful clarion ceas'd its shrilling sound;
Her voice harmonious, on subsiding gales,
Sweet peace resounded through the gladdening vales:
When lo, new fears the faithful friends await,
And other trials lour'd approaching fate.
Long through the monarch's soul the project ran,
(Grateful to proud and heaven-dethroning man)
To bind the soul, the conscience to enchain,
And force one worship through his wide domain.
Fir'd with the fond design, an image fair,
Rich with pure gold, and gem'd with many a star.
He form'd, fair image of the morning sun,
Acknowledg'd guardian of th'Assyrian throne.
To this, his soul decreed mankind should bow,
Each victim burn, and rise each sacred vow,
And bade his mighty lords direct their way
To meet their sovereign, on th'appointed day.
North of proud Babel's walls, from sky to sky,
The plain of Dura left the labouring eye:
47
There broad Euphrates roll'd his mighty tide.
This the dread scene the monarch's will ordain'd;
And hither throng'd the lords of many a land.
As now the destin'd morn her lustre shed,
Here o'er the fields a host immensely spread;
Kings, nobles, chieftains, every sage and seer,
And hosts of slaves, and warriors gather'd here.
Bright rose, in pomp divine, the imperial sun;
Light, life, and joy danc'd round his golden throne;
The heavens unclouded smil'd a fairer blue;
Reviving beauty cloath'd the world anew;
As on old ocean glows the sun's broad ray,
And lights his glassy fields with mimic day;
So, kindled by his beams, around the plain,
A new morn trembled o'er the unnumber'd train;
From helms, and shields, and steeds, and cars, aspires
A general glory of immingling fires:
The Tygris brighten'd in the golden beam,
And sweeter murmurs soften'd o'er the stream.
On a tall pedestal, before them shone
The sacred image of the rising sun;
In solemn pomp, a hero rose sublime,
His eye deep piercing through the scenes of time.
When first the orb, ascending from the main,
Cast his far level'd beams along the plain,
The form superb with every splendor shone,
Streak'd the gay fields, and seem'd another sun.
There the deep ruby pour'd a crimson ray;
The sunny topaz shed a rival day:
Of every hue the mimic rainbow came,
And join'd its varied lights in one transcendant flame.
Far round the plain the throng unnumber'd stood,
And gaz'd in silence on the imag'd god,
When thus the heralds cried, “With reverent ear
Your Monarch's voice, ye kings and nations, hear,
What time the notes of mingled music roll,
With magic influence on th'enraptur'd soul,
Before yon golden form, ye suppliants all
Prostrate on earth, with sacred homage, fall.
Light, life, and joy danc'd round his golden throne;
The heavens unclouded smil'd a fairer blue;
Reviving beauty cloath'd the world anew;
As on old ocean glows the sun's broad ray,
And lights his glassy fields with mimic day;
So, kindled by his beams, around the plain,
A new morn trembled o'er the unnumber'd train;
From helms, and shields, and steeds, and cars, aspires
A general glory of immingling fires:
The Tygris brighten'd in the golden beam,
And sweeter murmurs soften'd o'er the stream.
On a tall pedestal, before them shone
The sacred image of the rising sun;
In solemn pomp, a hero rose sublime,
His eye deep piercing through the scenes of time.
When first the orb, ascending from the main,
Cast his far level'd beams along the plain,
The form superb with every splendor shone,
Streak'd the gay fields, and seem'd another sun.
There the deep ruby pour'd a crimson ray;
The sunny topaz shed a rival day:
48
And join'd its varied lights in one transcendant flame.
Far round the plain the throng unnumber'd stood,
And gaz'd in silence on the imag'd god,
When thus the heralds cried, “With reverent ear
Your Monarch's voice, ye kings and nations, hear,
What time the notes of mingled music roll,
With magic influence on th'enraptur'd soul,
Before yon golden form, ye suppliants all
Prostrate on earth, with sacred homage, fall.
They spoke: as, borne thro' some far winding vale,
The voice of ocean leads the springing gale;
More loud, more solemn from the distant shore,
The slow, deep murmurs rise, and swell, and roar;
Propp'd on his staff, the hoary seaman stands,
And calls back happier times, and other lands;
Through his limbs thrills the youth-renewing charm,
And skies, and winds, and waves, his bosom warm:
So sudden, from ten thousand pipes and strings,
Loud, full and clear, the voice of music springs:
O'er the glad plain, the breathing sounds exhale,
And swell, and wanton in the rising gale;
Now deep, majestic in dread pomp they roll;
Now softly languish on the yeilding soul;
Now solemn awe, now lively zeal inspire,
Wake heavenly dreams, and light romantic fire:
Now sunk on earth, the unnumber'd suppliants lie,
And smoking altars cloud the fragrant sky.
The voice of ocean leads the springing gale;
More loud, more solemn from the distant shore,
The slow, deep murmurs rise, and swell, and roar;
Propp'd on his staff, the hoary seaman stands,
And calls back happier times, and other lands;
Through his limbs thrills the youth-renewing charm,
And skies, and winds, and waves, his bosom warm:
So sudden, from ten thousand pipes and strings,
Loud, full and clear, the voice of music springs:
O'er the glad plain, the breathing sounds exhale,
And swell, and wanton in the rising gale;
Now deep, majestic in dread pomp they roll;
Now softly languish on the yeilding soul;
Now solemn awe, now lively zeal inspire,
Wake heavenly dreams, and light romantic fire:
Now sunk on earth, the unnumber'd suppliants lie,
And smoking altars cloud the fragrant sky.
'Mid the vast throng, the friends of Daniel stood,
Nor bent the knee before the golden god.
Alone they stood; for at the palace gate,
So the king bade, in judgement Daniel sate,
The Magi saw, and straight, by envy led,
Flew to the king, and thus impatient said—
(For tho' the youths preserv'd from death their race,
Their bosoms sicken'd at their rival's place)
O prince! regardless of thy dread decree,
The Jews, so honor'd, lov'd and bless'd by thee,
Before yon golden God refuse to bow,
Present the prayer, or pay the solemn vow.
They slight thy gods, despise thy glorious name,
Nor heed the vengeance of the fearful flame.
Nor bent the knee before the golden god.
49
So the king bade, in judgement Daniel sate,
The Magi saw, and straight, by envy led,
Flew to the king, and thus impatient said—
(For tho' the youths preserv'd from death their race,
Their bosoms sicken'd at their rival's place)
O prince! regardless of thy dread decree,
The Jews, so honor'd, lov'd and bless'd by thee,
Before yon golden God refuse to bow,
Present the prayer, or pay the solemn vow.
They slight thy gods, despise thy glorious name,
Nor heed the vengeance of the fearful flame.
Fir'd at the tale, before their sovereign king
He bade fierce guards the sons of Judah bring.
Serene they came. And dare your hearts, he cries,
Against the terrors of my anger rise?
Dare ye refuse before yon god to bow,
Present the prayer, and pay the solemn vow?
Then know from me, vain youths, repenting know,
Before you flames of fearful vengeance glow.
Nor hope to 'scape. What man, what god can save,
When I command you to the burning grave?
Be warn'd; be wise, your monarch's god adore;
Nor tempt the dangers of resistless power.
He bade fierce guards the sons of Judah bring.
Serene they came. And dare your hearts, he cries,
Against the terrors of my anger rise?
Dare ye refuse before yon god to bow,
Present the prayer, and pay the solemn vow?
Then know from me, vain youths, repenting know,
Before you flames of fearful vengeance glow.
Nor hope to 'scape. What man, what god can save,
When I command you to the burning grave?
Be warn'd; be wise, your monarch's god adore;
Nor tempt the dangers of resistless power.
He spoke. As cherubs, dress'd in robes of light,
To earth, on heaven's high errands, wing their flight,
With solemn, sweet, complacent smile appear,
And blossom in immortal beauty here:
So, rosy splendor purpling o'er his face,
With meekly dignity and matchless grace,
Whilst on the king he cast a heavenly look,
That half revers'd the sentence ere he spoke.
His lifted eye serene with solemn pride,
With gentle voice, the elder youth replied,
Well pleas'd, O prince! our hearts confess thy sway,
And all thy just commands with joy obey;
Faithful and patient, every toil sustain,
Unaw'd by danger, and unmov'd by pain.
But the great God who form'd the earth and seas,
First claims our homage, first demands our praise:
To him alone our knees in worship bend;
To him our praises and our prayers ascend;
His mighty arm his faithful sons shall save
From all the terrors of the burning grave;
Or bid the flames with harmless fury glow;
Or crown with endless bliss the transient woe.
But know, Assyrian prince! should ills most dire
Rend our rack'd hearts, and bid our lives expire;
Should virtue yeild to unrelenting power,
And heaven forsake us in the dreadful hour;
Still to his throne our sacred thoughts shall rise,
Nor heed the gods that dwell beneath the skies.
To earth, on heaven's high errands, wing their flight,
With solemn, sweet, complacent smile appear,
And blossom in immortal beauty here:
So, rosy splendor purpling o'er his face,
With meekly dignity and matchless grace,
50
That half revers'd the sentence ere he spoke.
His lifted eye serene with solemn pride,
With gentle voice, the elder youth replied,
Well pleas'd, O prince! our hearts confess thy sway,
And all thy just commands with joy obey;
Faithful and patient, every toil sustain,
Unaw'd by danger, and unmov'd by pain.
But the great God who form'd the earth and seas,
First claims our homage, first demands our praise:
To him alone our knees in worship bend;
To him our praises and our prayers ascend;
His mighty arm his faithful sons shall save
From all the terrors of the burning grave;
Or bid the flames with harmless fury glow;
Or crown with endless bliss the transient woe.
But know, Assyrian prince! should ills most dire
Rend our rack'd hearts, and bid our lives expire;
Should virtue yeild to unrelenting power,
And heaven forsake us in the dreadful hour;
Still to his throne our sacred thoughts shall rise,
Nor heed the gods that dwell beneath the skies.
He spoke: Again, with ecstasies of ire,
The king's full visage flash'd infernal fire;
Fiercely he bade his guards the offenders bind,
And bear them forth, their feet and arms confin'd,
Through the wide host their guilt and fate proclaim,
And light the furnace with a seven-fold flame.
The king's full visage flash'd infernal fire;
Fiercely he bade his guards the offenders bind,
And bear them forth, their feet and arms confin'd,
Through the wide host their guilt and fate proclaim,
And light the furnace with a seven-fold flame.
51
The guards obey'd. As near the seat of woe,
Their eyes beheld the fearful vengeance glow,
They claim'd, with fervent prayers, the pitying sky,
And fix'd their souls to suffer and to die.
Serene, they saw the dark and dreadful fires,
Felt the fierce heat, and ey'd the gloomy spires;
Serene, they heard the long, deep murmurs roar,
As distant, rising whirlwinds rend the shore.
Their eyes beheld the fearful vengeance glow,
They claim'd, with fervent prayers, the pitying sky,
And fix'd their souls to suffer and to die.
Serene, they saw the dark and dreadful fires,
Felt the fierce heat, and ey'd the gloomy spires;
Serene, they heard the long, deep murmurs roar,
As distant, rising whirlwinds rend the shore.
Forth to the flames the unfriended youths they cast;
Nor 'scap'd the eager guards the scorching blast:
Far round them shot a long, infolding spire,
And wrap'd them helpless in the mantling fire.
Nor 'scap'd the eager guards the scorching blast:
Far round them shot a long, infolding spire,
And wrap'd them helpless in the mantling fire.
Mean time the king, the storm of vengeance o'er,
His wrath provok'd, his will oppos'd no more,
Felt other thoughts, and passions more refin'd
Compose the settling tumult of his mind.
Softening, he thought on all their conduct past,
Their virtue spotless, and their wisdom vast,
The wondrous dream, to them, with Daniel, given,
And all their pillar'd confidence in heaven.
His will they brav'd, of pains nor death afraid;
But still with mildest meekness disobey'd;
With such firm truth, such peaceful words denied,
As spoke the soul of virtue, not of pride.
Who knows, he whisper'd, but their well taught mind,
Serves nobler gods, with worship more refin'd?
Who knows but he who could the dream restore,
May save his favourites from the furnace' power?
His wrath provok'd, his will oppos'd no more,
Felt other thoughts, and passions more refin'd
Compose the settling tumult of his mind.
Softening, he thought on all their conduct past,
Their virtue spotless, and their wisdom vast,
The wondrous dream, to them, with Daniel, given,
And all their pillar'd confidence in heaven.
His will they brav'd, of pains nor death afraid;
But still with mildest meekness disobey'd;
With such firm truth, such peaceful words denied,
As spoke the soul of virtue, not of pride.
Who knows, he whisper'd, but their well taught mind,
Serves nobler gods, with worship more refin'd?
Who knows but he who could the dream restore,
May save his favourites from the furnace' power?
As thus he spoke, with wand'ring course and slow,
He turn'd his footsteps towards the seat of woe:
'Till, with unguided, heedless feet he came
Where full before him burn'd the dismal flame.
When lo, dread scenes amaz'd his wilder'd sight:
The youths walk'd peaceful through the horrid light:
Harmless around them climb'd the circling spires,
And mild as zephyrs play'd the lambent fires.
Hymns of sweet praise the adoring prophets sung,
And mid hoarse murmurs raptur'd warblings rung.
He turn'd his footsteps towards the seat of woe:
52
Where full before him burn'd the dismal flame.
When lo, dread scenes amaz'd his wilder'd sight:
The youths walk'd peaceful through the horrid light:
Harmless around them climb'd the circling spires,
And mild as zephyrs play'd the lambent fires.
Hymns of sweet praise the adoring prophets sung,
And mid hoarse murmurs raptur'd warblings rung.
He gaz'd: at once, with light and beauty new,
Through the dread cavern sudden splendor flew;
A new dawn brighten'd o'er the dreary tomb,
Drown'd the dark flames and quench'd the sullen gloom.
So when the morn's bright face, in fair attire,
Through orient windows strikes the wintry fire,
The red flames wither in the etherial ray,
And all their earthly lustre dies away.
Through the dread cavern sudden splendor flew;
A new dawn brighten'd o'er the dreary tomb,
Drown'd the dark flames and quench'd the sullen gloom.
So when the morn's bright face, in fair attire,
Through orient windows strikes the wintry fire,
The red flames wither in the etherial ray,
And all their earthly lustre dies away.
He gaz'd; when lo! a form of bodied light,
Sprung from the sun and like the parent bright,
In slow and stately grandeur, trod the scene,
And the dread cavern smil'd, a Heaven within.
Fair stars his wondrous crown, his strange attire
The lucid rainbow's many-colour'd fire;
Like threads of burnish'd silver, round his head,
His twinkling locks in solemn glory play'd;
In pomp divine above his shoulders borne,
And dipt in roseate beams of rising morn,
His long wings waving, fell: beneath his feet,
The unnumber'd streams of springing light'nings meet.
Full on the friends he beam'd a sun-bright smile,
Transcendent meed of all their faith and toil!
Complacence pure, all thoughts, all minds above,
That op'd the yearnings of redeeming love.
Such smiles salute th'unbòdied soul forgiven;
Such smiles improve the sainted race of Heaven;
Such smiles serene, with unextinguish'd ray,
Purpled the opening morn of endless day.
At once soft sounds of gratulation rung;
Strange music play'd, unseen musicians sung;
The solemn sounds with more than mortal fire,
Wav'd with mild warblings, o'er th'etherial lyre:
Marbled, on earth the prostrate monarch lay,
And swoon'd his vanquish'd sense and soul away.
Sprung from the sun and like the parent bright,
In slow and stately grandeur, trod the scene,
And the dread cavern smil'd, a Heaven within.
Fair stars his wondrous crown, his strange attire
The lucid rainbow's many-colour'd fire;
Like threads of burnish'd silver, round his head,
His twinkling locks in solemn glory play'd;
In pomp divine above his shoulders borne,
And dipt in roseate beams of rising morn,
His long wings waving, fell: beneath his feet,
The unnumber'd streams of springing light'nings meet.
Full on the friends he beam'd a sun-bright smile,
Transcendent meed of all their faith and toil!
53
That op'd the yearnings of redeeming love.
Such smiles salute th'unbòdied soul forgiven;
Such smiles improve the sainted race of Heaven;
Such smiles serene, with unextinguish'd ray,
Purpled the opening morn of endless day.
At once soft sounds of gratulation rung;
Strange music play'd, unseen musicians sung;
The solemn sounds with more than mortal fire,
Wav'd with mild warblings, o'er th'etherial lyre:
Marbled, on earth the prostrate monarch lay,
And swoon'd his vanquish'd sense and soul away.
At length resummon'd from the gloomy dead,
His opening eyes beheld the vision fled.
With strong, but plaintive voice, amaz'd he cried,
Sons of the sky and earth's transcendent pride!
Forth from those dreary flames triumphant come,
And quit the mansions of the destin'd tomb.
His opening eyes beheld the vision fled.
With strong, but plaintive voice, amaz'd he cried,
Sons of the sky and earth's transcendent pride!
Forth from those dreary flames triumphant come,
And quit the mansions of the destin'd tomb.
Forth came the youths; unsing'd their fair attire,
Their limbs unconscious of the potent fire;
The king, the nobles mark'd with solemn gaze,
And sighs and silence own'd their deep amaze.
Their limbs unconscious of the potent fire;
The king, the nobles mark'd with solemn gaze,
And sighs and silence own'd their deep amaze.
Round the wide plain the saddening pomp decay'd;
The music died, the vast assembly fled;
The knee unbent, the image ceas'd to adore;
The extinguish'd altars shed perfumes no more;
The golden form apart forsaken stood,
And not a suppliant hail'd the slighted god:
Round the wide circuit brooding silence lay,
And clouds of deepest gloom o'ercast the day.
The music died, the vast assembly fled;
The knee unbent, the image ceas'd to adore;
The extinguish'd altars shed perfumes no more;
The golden form apart forsaken stood,
And not a suppliant hail'd the slighted god:
Round the wide circuit brooding silence lay,
And clouds of deepest gloom o'ercast the day.
54
Then through his boundless empire Heaven's great name,
The humbl'd monarch bade his criers proclaim.
To Heaven's great God, they cried, your honors pay,
Let kings and nations own his sovereign sway;
With power divine to earth his angel came,
And sav'd his prophets from the sevenfold flame.
The humbl'd monarch bade his criers proclaim.
To Heaven's great God, they cried, your honors pay,
Let kings and nations own his sovereign sway;
With power divine to earth his angel came,
And sav'd his prophets from the sevenfold flame.
To Babel's walls return'd the royal train:
Their wonted honors cloth'd the youths again.
With transport, Daniel heard his friends relate
Their glorious triumph o'er the destin'd fate;
The flames by heavenly power innoxious made;
The solemn glories on the angel shed;
In dreams the labor'd pomp forever gone;
The tyrant vanquish'd and his god o'erthrown.
Their wonted honors cloth'd the youths again.
With transport, Daniel heard his friends relate
Their glorious triumph o'er the destin'd fate;
The flames by heavenly power innoxious made;
The solemn glories on the angel shed;
In dreams the labor'd pomp forever gone;
The tyrant vanquish'd and his god o'erthrown.
Belov'd, rever'd, the sons of virtue shin'd,
Heirs of the skies, and patrons of mankind.
Through all th'Assyrian world their bounty spread;
All Judah triumph'd; all oppression fled;
Their glad approach, instinctive homage bless'd;
Crouds bent before them, lords and kings caress'd;
To them the songs of every realm were given,
And ceaseless round them glow'd the light of heaven.
Heirs of the skies, and patrons of mankind.
Through all th'Assyrian world their bounty spread;
All Judah triumph'd; all oppression fled;
Their glad approach, instinctive homage bless'd;
Crouds bent before them, lords and kings caress'd;
To them the songs of every realm were given,
And ceaseless round them glow'd the light of heaven.
| [Poems by Dwight in] American poems, selected and original | |