 | The conquest of Canäan |  |
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BOOK II.
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Argument.
Morning. Gibeonites assemble for the worship of the Sun. Mina refuses to join them in this worship; the king enquires the reason. She mentions her adoration of the true God. The king being anxious to know more of the matter, after an apology for speaking in such an assembly, she gives a general account of the Deity, and his dispensations. As he is still further inquisitive, she gives him a more minute account of the Divine works, in a history of the creation—our first parents—the fall—general succeeding apostacy—deluge—second apostacy—calling of Abraham —Israelites journeying into Egypt—oppression and plagues of Egypt—Israelites' deliverance—journey through the wilderness—promulgation of the divine law—destruction of Sihon, and Og—last prophecy, death, and burial of Moses, and the commission of Joshua. The Gibeonites being much afflicted at the prospect of their destruction, Mina proposes an embassy to Joshua, to solicit peace. The king approves the proposal. Conclusion.
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Beyond those western hills, whose haughty brow,
To heaven exalted, scorn'd the world below,
A plain outspread, with growing verdure bright,
And stole, extensive, from the aching sight.
Here, in proud pomp, adorn'd with countless spires,
That mock'd the glories of the solar fires,
Gibeon's imperial towers sublimely rose,
And spurn'd the terrors of surrounding foes.
To heaven exalted, scorn'd the world below,
A plain outspread, with growing verdure bright,
And stole, extensive, from the aching sight.
Here, in proud pomp, adorn'd with countless spires,
That mock'd the glories of the solar fires,
Gibeon's imperial towers sublimely rose,
And spurn'd the terrors of surrounding foes.
Now o'er the hills red streams began to burn,
And bursting splendors usher'd in the morn;
With living dies the flowers all-beauteous glow'd;
O'er the glad fields etherial odours flow'd;
The forest echoed with a boundless song,
And rising breezes pour'd the strains along.
And bursting splendors usher'd in the morn;
With living dies the flowers all-beauteous glow'd;
O'er the glad fields etherial odours flow'd;
The forest echoed with a boundless song,
And rising breezes pour'd the strains along.
Adorn'd with green, before the palace lay
A spacious square, and smil'd upon the day.
Here, ere the dawn the kindling skies illum'd,
Or opening flowers the fragrant gales perfum'd,
Of every age, a vast, assembled train
Pour'd from the lofty domes, and fill'd the plain.
A spacious square, and smil'd upon the day.
Here, ere the dawn the kindling skies illum'd,
Or opening flowers the fragrant gales perfum'd,
Of every age, a vast, assembled train
Pour'd from the lofty domes, and fill'd the plain.
High in the midst two sacred altars shone,
Adorn'd with honours to their God, the Sun.
This, deck'd with art, and bright in royal pride,
With sable gore the quivering victim died:
On that gay flowers in rich profusion lay,
And gales of Eden bore their sweets away.
Adorn'd with honours to their God, the Sun.
This, deck'd with art, and bright in royal pride,
With sable gore the quivering victim died:
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And gales of Eden bore their sweets away.
Here, white with age, in snowy vesture dress'd,
Aradon stood, their monarch, and their priest;
Red in his hand a torch refulgent shone,
And his fix'd countenance watch'd the rising sun.
Aradon stood, their monarch, and their priest;
Red in his hand a torch refulgent shone,
And his fix'd countenance watch'd the rising sun.
When first the flaming Orb, with glorious rays,
Roll'd o'er the hills, and pour'd a boundless blaze;
Charm'd at the sight, the monarch stretch'd his hand,
And touch'd the tributes with the sacred brand;
Through freshen'd air perfumes began to rise,
And curling volumes mounted to the skies.
Thrice to the earth the raptur'd suppliants bow'd,
Then struck the lyre, and hymn'd the rising God.
Roll'd o'er the hills, and pour'd a boundless blaze;
Charm'd at the sight, the monarch stretch'd his hand,
And touch'd the tributes with the sacred brand;
Through freshen'd air perfumes began to rise,
And curling volumes mounted to the skies.
Thrice to the earth the raptur'd suppliants bow'd,
Then struck the lyre, and hymn'd the rising God.
O thou, whose bursting beams in glory rise,
And sail, and brighten, thro' unbounded skies!
The world's great Parent! heaven's exalted King?
Sole Source of good! and life's eternal Spring!
All hail, while cloath'd in beauty's endless ray,
Thy face unclouded gives the new-born day!
And sail, and brighten, thro' unbounded skies!
The world's great Parent! heaven's exalted King?
Sole Source of good! and life's eternal Spring!
All hail, while cloath'd in beauty's endless ray,
Thy face unclouded gives the new-born day!
Above all scenes is plac'd thy heavenly throne;
Ere time began, thy spotless splendor shone:
Sublime from east to west thy chariot rolls,
Chears the wide earth, and warms the distant poles;
Commands the vegetable race to grow,
The fruit to redden, and the flower to blow.
This world was born to change: the hand of Time
Makes, and unmakes the scenes of every clime.
The insect millions scarce the morn survive;
One transient day the flowery nations live:
A few short years complete the human doom;
Then pale Death summons to the narrow tomb.
Lash'd by the flood, the hard rocks wear away;
Worne by the storm, the lessening hills decay;
Unchang'd alone is thine exalted flame,
From endless years to endless years the same;
Thy splendors with immortal beauty shine,
Roll round th' eternal heavens, and speak thy name divine.
Ere time began, thy spotless splendor shone:
Sublime from east to west thy chariot rolls,
Chears the wide earth, and warms the distant poles;
Commands the vegetable race to grow,
The fruit to redden, and the flower to blow.
This world was born to change: the hand of Time
Makes, and unmakes the scenes of every clime.
The insect millions scarce the morn survive;
One transient day the flowery nations live:
A few short years complete the human doom;
Then pale Death summons to the narrow tomb.
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Worne by the storm, the lessening hills decay;
Unchang'd alone is thine exalted flame,
From endless years to endless years the same;
Thy splendors with immortal beauty shine,
Roll round th' eternal heavens, and speak thy name divine.
When thy bright throne, beyond old ocean's bound,
Thro' nether skies pursues its destin'd round,
Lost in th' ascending darkness, beauty fades;
Thro' the blank field, and thro' the woodland, spreads
A melancholy silence. O'er the plain
Dread lions roam, and savage terrors reign.
Thro' nether skies pursues its destin'd round,
Lost in th' ascending darkness, beauty fades;
Thro' the blank field, and thro' the woodland, spreads
A melancholy silence. O'er the plain
Dread lions roam, and savage terrors reign.
And when sad Autumn sees thy face retire,
And happier regions hail thy orient fire,
High in the storm imperious Winter flies,
And desolation saddens all the skies.
But when once more thy beam the north ascends,
Thy light invigorates, and thy warmth extends;
The fields rejoice, the groves with transport ring,
And boundless nature hails the sky-born spring.
And happier regions hail thy orient fire,
High in the storm imperious Winter flies,
And desolation saddens all the skies.
But when once more thy beam the north ascends,
Thy light invigorates, and thy warmth extends;
The fields rejoice, the groves with transport ring,
And boundless nature hails the sky-born spring.
Nor even in winter's gloom, or night's sad reign,
Darts the warm influence of thy beams in vain.
Darts the warm influence of thy beams in vain.
Beyond the main some fairer region lies,
Some brighter isles beneath the southern skies,
Where crimson War ne'er bade the clarion roar,
Nor sanguine billows died the vernal shore:
No thundering storm the day's bright face conceals,
No summer scorches, and no frost congeals;
No sickness wastes, no grief provokes the tear,
Nor tainted vapours blast the clement year.
Round the glad day-star endless beauties burn,
And crown'd with rainbows, opes th'imperial morn;
A clear unbounded light the skies display,
And purple lustre leads the changing day.
O'er conscious shades, and bowers of soft repose,
Young breezes spring, and balmy fragrance blows;
The fields all wanton in serenest beams,
Wake fairer flowers, and roll diviner streams;
Thro' the long vales aerial music roves,
And nobler fruitage dies the bending groves.
Some brighter isles beneath the southern skies,
Where crimson War ne'er bade the clarion roar,
Nor sanguine billows died the vernal shore:
No thundering storm the day's bright face conceals,
No summer scorches, and no frost congeals;
No sickness wastes, no grief provokes the tear,
Nor tainted vapours blast the clement year.
Round the glad day-star endless beauties burn,
And crown'd with rainbows, opes th'imperial morn;
A clear unbounded light the skies display,
And purple lustre leads the changing day.
O'er conscious shades, and bowers of soft repose,
Young breezes spring, and balmy fragrance blows;
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Wake fairer flowers, and roll diviner streams;
Thro' the long vales aerial music roves,
And nobler fruitage dies the bending groves.
Thro' spotless nations as the realm refin'd,
Thine influence there sublimes th' immortal mind;
Its active pinions swift thro' nature roam,
Lose the low world, and claim a nobler home.
Their limbs, of endless life, with glory crown'd,
New youth improves, and growing charms surround:
On the bless'd shore thy splendors love to shine,
And raise thy sons each hour, to raptures more divine.
Thine influence there sublimes th' immortal mind;
Its active pinions swift thro' nature roam,
Lose the low world, and claim a nobler home.
Their limbs, of endless life, with glory crown'd,
New youth improves, and growing charms surround:
On the bless'd shore thy splendors love to shine,
And raise thy sons each hour, to raptures more divine.
Thus ceas'd the sound: the harp's melodious strain
Join'd the glad hymn, and charm'd the listening train;
A sparkling joy each speaking face display'd,
While light expanding lessen'd every shade.
Join'd the glad hymn, and charm'd the listening train;
A sparkling joy each speaking face display'd,
While light expanding lessen'd every shade.
Fair as the lucid star, that up the sky
Leads the gay morn, and bids the darkness fly,
Beside the king a lovely Virgin stood,
Nor join'd the song, nor with th' assembly bow'd.
A sweet displeasure ting'd her melting eye,
And her sad bosom heav'd th' oppressive sigh.
Her soft distress the watchful king survey'd,
And thus, with friendly smile, address'd the maid.
Leads the gay morn, and bids the darkness fly,
Beside the king a lovely Virgin stood,
Nor join'd the song, nor with th' assembly bow'd.
A sweet displeasure ting'd her melting eye,
And her sad bosom heav'd th' oppressive sigh.
Her soft distress the watchful king survey'd,
And thus, with friendly smile, address'd the maid.
Say, loveliest fair one, whence the meaning gloom,
That damps our joys, and clouds thy rosy bloom!
Why does thy soul the reverence due deny
To yon bright orb, that gilds the orient sky?
That damps our joys, and clouds thy rosy bloom!
Why does thy soul the reverence due deny
To yon bright orb, that gilds the orient sky?
Far other God, replied the fair, demands
My vocal transports, and my suppliant hands;
A God, whose power rais'd high yon azure round,
Form'd the wide earth, and fix'd the ocean's bound;
Who more the sun transcends, than his gay glare
The transient glimmerings of some half-seen star.
My vocal transports, and my suppliant hands;
A God, whose power rais'd high yon azure round,
Form'd the wide earth, and fix'd the ocean's bound;
Who more the sun transcends, than his gay glare
The transient glimmerings of some half-seen star.
Strange scenes, the monarch cries, thy voice declares,
And breathes sweet music thro' our raptur'd ears.
But canst thou, unconvinc'd, yon orb behold,
O'er earth, o'er heaven, in endless triumph roll'd?
What boundless joy his gladsome course attends!
What glory brightens! and what good descends!
Round the blue void his beams unchanging shine,
And speak his nature, and his name, divine.
Yet still my curious thoughts the tale demand,
And ask improvement at thy lovely hand.
Say then, O fair, what all-exalted Power
Thy wishes reverence, and thy hands adore.
And breathes sweet music thro' our raptur'd ears.
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O'er earth, o'er heaven, in endless triumph roll'd?
What boundless joy his gladsome course attends!
What glory brightens! and what good descends!
Round the blue void his beams unchanging shine,
And speak his nature, and his name, divine.
Yet still my curious thoughts the tale demand,
And ask improvement at thy lovely hand.
Say then, O fair, what all-exalted Power
Thy wishes reverence, and thy hands adore.
With down-cast eye, and cheek of crimson bright
That sweetly mingled with the spotless white,
Replied the virtuous maid. To bolder tongues
Of man's bold sex, the arduous task belongs.
But thy fond cares, that sav'd my life, demand
Toils far superior from my grateful hand.
Thy bliss, thy endless bliss, my voice shall bribe
To pass the bounds, the maiden's laws prescribe.
That sweetly mingled with the spotless white,
Replied the virtuous maid. To bolder tongues
Of man's bold sex, the arduous task belongs.
But thy fond cares, that sav'd my life, demand
Toils far superior from my grateful hand.
Thy bliss, thy endless bliss, my voice shall bribe
To pass the bounds, the maiden's laws prescribe.
Far, very far beyond this lower sky,
Beyond the sun, beyond the flames on high,
Dwells in pure light, in heaven's serene abode,
The Source of life, the Spring of endless good;
All scenes, all heights above, sublimely reigns;
All worlds created, and all worlds sustains.
Beyond the sun, beyond the flames on high,
Dwells in pure light, in heaven's serene abode,
The Source of life, the Spring of endless good;
All scenes, all heights above, sublimely reigns;
All worlds created, and all worlds sustains.
Yon orb, whose brightness wakes thy raptur'd praise,
Is but a beam of his unbounded blaze.
His breath illum'd, his hand exalted high,
And roll'd him flaming thro' th' expanded sky.
Is but a beam of his unbounded blaze.
His breath illum'd, his hand exalted high,
And roll'd him flaming thro' th' expanded sky.
His bounteous influence, thro' all nature driven,
Warms the wide earth, and cheers the wider heaven.
All scenes, all beings his pure sight surveys,
Where morn begins, and where pale eve decays;
Where hell's dark shores the glooms of night display;
Or heaven's broad palace glows in lasting day;
Thro' worlds of endless youth, where angels shine,
And unknown nations rove in light divine.
He moves, informs, directs, and rules the whole;
Their cause, their end, their guardian, and their soul.
Warms the wide earth, and cheers the wider heaven.
All scenes, all beings his pure sight surveys,
Where morn begins, and where pale eve decays;
Where hell's dark shores the glooms of night display;
Or heaven's broad palace glows in lasting day;
Thro' worlds of endless youth, where angels shine,
And unknown nations rove in light divine.
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Their cause, their end, their guardian, and their soul.
He wakes the beauties of the vernal morn;
He bids the flames of sultry summer burn;
He showers th' autumnal wealth; and his dread power
Sounds in the wintry storm, and bids the wild waves roar.
He bids the flames of sultry summer burn;
He showers th' autumnal wealth; and his dread power
Sounds in the wintry storm, and bids the wild waves roar.
In these vast regions countless beings move,
Live in his smiles, and wanton in his love:
In all, his power, and boundless wisdom, shine,
The works, the glories of a hand divine.
Thron'd in high heaven, in starry mansions reign,
Of purest intellect, th' angelic train
All sense, all soul, all love, eternal power
Their thoughts contemplate, and their songs adore.
Live in his smiles, and wanton in his love:
In all, his power, and boundless wisdom, shine,
The works, the glories of a hand divine.
Thron'd in high heaven, in starry mansions reign,
Of purest intellect, th' angelic train
All sense, all soul, all love, eternal power
Their thoughts contemplate, and their songs adore.
Thro' earth's wide realms unnumber'd tribes we find,
Of different ranks, for different ends design'd.
On every leaf the insect millions swarm,
Hum round the flower, or in the sun-beam warm;
The birds, on painted pinions, gayly fly
Thro' the wide regions of the sapphire sky;
Beasts climb the cliff, or walk the savage wood;
And fishes sport around the foamy flood.
These, with the reptile race, to time a prey,
Of dust were fashion'd, and to dust decay.
Of different ranks, for different ends design'd.
On every leaf the insect millions swarm,
Hum round the flower, or in the sun-beam warm;
The birds, on painted pinions, gayly fly
Thro' the wide regions of the sapphire sky;
Beasts climb the cliff, or walk the savage wood;
And fishes sport around the foamy flood.
These, with the reptile race, to time a prey,
Of dust were fashion'd, and to dust decay.
To man of nobler rank, two parts were given,
This form'd of earth, and that inspir'd by heaven.
Such as the texture, such th' allotted doom;
His body moulders in the narrow tomb:
But the wing'd soul, when earth in dust is hurl'd,
Shall spring, immortal, from the sinking world;
Ordain'd, if crimes its earthly course distain,
To bathe in fire, and waste with endless pain;
If cleans'd from guilt, with active joy to rise
To the pure transports of angelic skies;
But man, unmindful of his nobler birth,
In vain seeks pleasure from surrounding earth.
Far different, far, the scenes by Heaven design'd
To fill the wishes of the active mind.
This bounded point is but our being's morn;
To endless life th' etherial Soul was born.
Upward with nimble slight her thoughts should soar,
And, wing'd by virtue, brighter worlds explore;
Earth's groveling joys disdain with conscious pride,
Like angels fashion'd, and to heaven allied.
This form'd of earth, and that inspir'd by heaven.
Such as the texture, such th' allotted doom;
His body moulders in the narrow tomb:
But the wing'd soul, when earth in dust is hurl'd,
Shall spring, immortal, from the sinking world;
Ordain'd, if crimes its earthly course distain,
To bathe in fire, and waste with endless pain;
If cleans'd from guilt, with active joy to rise
To the pure transports of angelic skies;
But man, unmindful of his nobler birth,
In vain seeks pleasure from surrounding earth.
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To fill the wishes of the active mind.
This bounded point is but our being's morn;
To endless life th' etherial Soul was born.
Upward with nimble slight her thoughts should soar,
And, wing'd by virtue, brighter worlds explore;
Earth's groveling joys disdain with conscious pride,
Like angels fashion'd, and to heaven allied.
For this fair train our nature to prepare,
And the pure fragrance of immortal air,
To raise the downward heart from earthly toys,
And mould our wishes to sublimer joys,
Thro' earth's wide realms, afflictions first began,
The noblest blessings Heaven bestows on man.
Toil, disappointment, hunger, thirst, and pain,
A long, long, dismal, melancholy train,
Cleanse the dim eye, dissolve the powerful lust,
And loose the chains, that bind our hearts to dust.
From sorrow's fire, like silver well refin'd,
Freed from vile earth, shall rise th' undrosly mind,
Each hour, with beams of clearer beauty shine,
And ceaseless claim an image more divine.
At length, when sickness brings th' expected doom,
Its powers shall rise triumphant o'er the tomb,
Forward to nobler scenes with rapture spring,
And hail the message of th' undreaded king;
While life's long stream its farthest shore shall lave,
And seek the bosom of th' eternal wave.
Then shall we see diviner winds arise,
The main grow calm, and smiles invest the skies:
Then shall our happy hands exalt the fail,
Launch on the deep, and call th' etherial gale;
With joy, our spirits leave the fading shore,
And hear the lessening storms at distance roar.
Inwrapp'd in beams of uncreated light,
All heaven, disclos'd, shall burst upon the sight;
Streams of immortal bliss in vision roll,
And hosts of angels hail the kindred soul.
And the pure fragrance of immortal air,
To raise the downward heart from earthly toys,
And mould our wishes to sublimer joys,
Thro' earth's wide realms, afflictions first began,
The noblest blessings Heaven bestows on man.
Toil, disappointment, hunger, thirst, and pain,
A long, long, dismal, melancholy train,
Cleanse the dim eye, dissolve the powerful lust,
And loose the chains, that bind our hearts to dust.
From sorrow's fire, like silver well refin'd,
Freed from vile earth, shall rise th' undrosly mind,
Each hour, with beams of clearer beauty shine,
And ceaseless claim an image more divine.
At length, when sickness brings th' expected doom,
Its powers shall rise triumphant o'er the tomb,
Forward to nobler scenes with rapture spring,
And hail the message of th' undreaded king;
While life's long stream its farthest shore shall lave,
And seek the bosom of th' eternal wave.
Then shall we see diviner winds arise,
The main grow calm, and smiles invest the skies:
Then shall our happy hands exalt the fail,
Launch on the deep, and call th' etherial gale;
With joy, our spirits leave the fading shore,
And hear the lessening storms at distance roar.
Inwrapp'd in beams of uncreated light,
All heaven, disclos'd, shall burst upon the sight;
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And hosts of angels hail the kindred soul.
With rosy smiles, thus spoke the lovely maid,
While o'er the plain a boundless silence spread.
Like the tun'd lyre, the music of her tongue
Pour'd soft persuasion on the truths she sung:
Pleas'd, her sweet grace, and sparkling eye, they view,
And the frank mein, that Falsehood never knew.
While o'er the plain a boundless silence spread.
Like the tun'd lyre, the music of her tongue
Pour'd soft persuasion on the truths she sung:
Pleas'd, her sweet grace, and sparkling eye, they view,
And the frank mein, that Falsehood never knew.
To all, Aradon bent a yielding ear;
For Heaven inspir'd his honest heart to hear.
Mid savage realms, fair Gibeon's sons inclin'd
To manners gentler, worship more refin'd:
Each social art adorn'd the generous door;
The stranger welcom'd, and reliev'd the poor;
And hence they liv'd. From nature's bounteous Lord,
Even virtue's semblance finds a sure reward.
For Heaven inspir'd his honest heart to hear.
Mid savage realms, fair Gibeon's sons inclin'd
To manners gentler, worship more refin'd:
Each social art adorn'd the generous door;
The stranger welcom'd, and reliev'd the poor;
And hence they liv'd. From nature's bounteous Lord,
Even virtue's semblance finds a sure reward.
A calm delight exulting in his eyes,
With gentlest voice, the monarch thus replies.
With gentlest voice, the monarch thus replies.
O brightest of thy sex, an angel's tongue
Alone can boast the sweetness of thy song.
Led by thy voice, my raptur'd mind would know
The mighty Power, from whom all blessings flow;
Would learn what holy seers his will explain,
What prayers delight him, and what offerings gain;
Safe in his smiles, beyond the grave respire;
Exult o'er death, and flee from endless fire;
To those immortal regions speed my flight,
And prove some humble seat, amid the sons of light.
Alone can boast the sweetness of thy song.
Led by thy voice, my raptur'd mind would know
The mighty Power, from whom all blessings flow;
Would learn what holy seers his will explain,
What prayers delight him, and what offerings gain;
Safe in his smiles, beyond the grave respire;
Exult o'er death, and flee from endless fire;
To those immortal regions speed my flight,
And prove some humble seat, amid the sons of light.
But say, O fair, when form'd the Power divine
The lamps that round yon sky forever shine?
Know'st thou the day when earth's wide realms were made,
The hills exalted, and the ocean spread?
Whose hand thine infant mind to reason wrought,
In virtue nurs'd thee, and in wisdom taught?
Tho' age my trembling brow has whiten'd o'er,
Strange unknown scenes thy curious thoughts explore.
The lamps that round yon sky forever shine?
Know'st thou the day when earth's wide realms were made,
The hills exalted, and the ocean spread?
Whose hand thine infant mind to reason wrought,
In virtue nurs'd thee, and in wisdom taught?
Tho' age my trembling brow has whiten'd o'er,
Strange unknown scenes thy curious thoughts explore.
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Return'd the lovely maid, Thy glad request
Wakes my fond hope, and warms my grateful breast—
Know, mighty prince, when Elam's deathful spear
Pierc'd the fell foe, and loos'd my soul from fear,
From Israel's camp, thro' unknown paths, I stray'd,
My lone steps wandering round the woodland shade.
'Twas there, the sacred truths the prophet sung,
And thus sweet music tun'd his heavenly tongue.
Wakes my fond hope, and warms my grateful breast—
Know, mighty prince, when Elam's deathful spear
Pierc'd the fell foe, and loos'd my soul from fear,
From Israel's camp, thro' unknown paths, I stray'd,
My lone steps wandering round the woodland shade.
'Twas there, the sacred truths the prophet sung,
And thus sweet music tun'd his heavenly tongue.
From realms divine high-rais'd beyond all height,
Th' almighty Parent cast his piercing sight;
With boundless view, he saw the etherial vast
A clouded gloom, an undelightsome waste:
Around the extended wild, no sun's broad ray
Mock'd the clear splendor of immortal day;
No varying moon, ordain'd at eve to rise,
Led the full pomp of constellated skies;
No day in circling beauty learn'd to roll;
Nor fair spring smil'd, nor frost congeal'd the pole;
Substantial darkness space unmeasur'd fill'd,
And nature's realms lay desolate and wild.
Th' almighty Parent cast his piercing sight;
With boundless view, he saw the etherial vast
A clouded gloom, an undelightsome waste:
Around the extended wild, no sun's broad ray
Mock'd the clear splendor of immortal day;
No varying moon, ordain'd at eve to rise,
Led the full pomp of constellated skies;
No day in circling beauty learn'd to roll;
Nor fair spring smil'd, nor frost congeal'd the pole;
Substantial darkness space unmeasur'd fill'd,
And nature's realms lay desolate and wild.
He spoke: at once, o'er earth's far distant bounds
The heavens wide-arching stretch'd their sapphire rounds
With hoary cliffs the far-seen hills ascend;
Down sink the vales, and wide the plains extend;
Headlong from steep to steep the billows roar,
Fill the broad main, and toss against the shore.
The heavens wide-arching stretch'd their sapphire rounds
With hoary cliffs the far-seen hills ascend;
Down sink the vales, and wide the plains extend;
Headlong from steep to steep the billows roar,
Fill the broad main, and toss against the shore.
He spoke; and beauty thro' all nature flow'd;
With springing verdure earth's wide regions glow'd;
Forth rush the flowery tribes, and trees on high
Shroud their tall summits in the ambient sky.
With springing verdure earth's wide regions glow'd;
Forth rush the flowery tribes, and trees on high
Shroud their tall summits in the ambient sky.
He spoke; the heavens with sudden glory shone;
In godlike pomp burst forth the golden sun;
Far thro' immensity his kindling ray
Shot life and joy, and pour'd the new-born day;
With milder lustre rose the charms of even,
The moon's broad beam, and all the pride of heaven.
In godlike pomp burst forth the golden sun;
Far thro' immensity his kindling ray
Shot life and joy, and pour'd the new-born day;
With milder lustre rose the charms of even,
The moon's broad beam, and all the pride of heaven.
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He spoke; and fishes fill'd the watry rounds,
Swarm'd in the streams, and swam the Ocean's bounds;
The green sea sparkled with unnumber'd dies,
And varying beauty wav'd upon the skies;
Whales through the foaming billows proudly rode,
And unknown monsters gambol'd o'er the flood.
From the deep wave, adorn'd with nobler grace,
In countless millions sprang the feather'd race;
Thro' the far clouds the eagle cleft his way,
And soar'd and wanton'd in the flames of day;
Full on the morn the peacock op'd his beams,
And swans majestic row'd th' expanded streams.
Swarm'd in the streams, and swam the Ocean's bounds;
The green sea sparkled with unnumber'd dies,
And varying beauty wav'd upon the skies;
Whales through the foaming billows proudly rode,
And unknown monsters gambol'd o'er the flood.
From the deep wave, adorn'd with nobler grace,
In countless millions sprang the feather'd race;
Thro' the far clouds the eagle cleft his way,
And soar'd and wanton'd in the flames of day;
Full on the morn the peacock op'd his beams,
And swans majestic row'd th' expanded streams.
He spoke; and, wondering, from disparted plains
In throngs unnumber'd rose the bestial trains:
Their snowy robes the harmless flocks reveal'd;
Gay steeds exulting pranc'd the vernal field;
The lion glar'd, and mid the gazing throng
Shook his rough main, and grimly stalk'd along.
In throngs unnumber'd rose the bestial trains:
Their snowy robes the harmless flocks reveal'd;
Gay steeds exulting pranc'd the vernal field;
The lion glar'd, and mid the gazing throng
Shook his rough main, and grimly stalk'd along.
The wide earth finish'd, from his western throne,
In splendid beauty look'd the gladsome sun;
Calm were the skies, the fields with lustre crown'd,
And nature's incense fill'd th' etherial round.
Enshrin'd in sacred light, the Maker stood,
Complacent smil'd, and own'd the work was good.
Then from his hand in silent glory came
A nobler form, and Man his destin'd name;
Erect, and tall, in solemn pomp he stood,
And living virtue in his visage glow'd.
Then too a fairer being shew'd her charms;
Young Beauty wanton'd in her snowy arms;
The heavens around her bade their graces fly,
And Love fate blooming in her gentle eye.
O pair divine! superior to your kind;
To virtue fashion'd, and for bliss design'd!
In splendid beauty look'd the gladsome sun;
Calm were the skies, the fields with lustre crown'd,
And nature's incense fill'd th' etherial round.
Enshrin'd in sacred light, the Maker stood,
Complacent smil'd, and own'd the work was good.
Then from his hand in silent glory came
A nobler form, and Man his destin'd name;
Erect, and tall, in solemn pomp he stood,
And living virtue in his visage glow'd.
Then too a fairer being shew'd her charms;
Young Beauty wanton'd in her snowy arms;
The heavens around her bade their graces fly,
And Love fate blooming in her gentle eye.
O pair divine! superior to your kind;
To virtue fashion'd, and for bliss design'd!
He, born to rule, with calm, uplifted brow,
Look'd down majestic on the world below;
To heaven, his mansion, turn'd his thought sublime;
Or rov'd far onward thro' the scenes of time;
O'er nature's kingdom cast a searching eye,
And dar'd to trace the secrets of the sky
On fancy's pinions scann'd the bright abode,
And claim'd his friend, an Angel, or a God.
Look'd down majestic on the world below;
39
Or rov'd far onward thro' the scenes of time;
O'er nature's kingdom cast a searching eye,
And dar'd to trace the secrets of the sky
On fancy's pinions scann'd the bright abode,
And claim'd his friend, an Angel, or a God.
Her he indu'd with nature more refin'd,
A lovelier image, and a softer minb.
To her he gave to kindle sweet desire,
To rouse great thoughts, and fan th' heroic fire:
At pity's gentle call to bend his ear;
To prompt for woe the unaffected tear;
In scenes refin'd his softening soul improve,
And tune his wishes with the hand of love.
To her he gave with sweetness to obey,
Inspire the friend, and charm the lord away;
Each bleeding grief with balmy hand to heal,
And learn his rending sinews not to feel;
Each joy t'improve, the pious wish to raise,
And add new raptures to his languid praise.
A lovelier image, and a softer minb.
To her he gave to kindle sweet desire,
To rouse great thoughts, and fan th' heroic fire:
At pity's gentle call to bend his ear;
To prompt for woe the unaffected tear;
In scenes refin'd his softening soul improve,
And tune his wishes with the hand of love.
To her he gave with sweetness to obey,
Inspire the friend, and charm the lord away;
Each bleeding grief with balmy hand to heal,
And learn his rending sinews not to feel;
Each joy t'improve, the pious wish to raise,
And add new raptures to his languid praise.
To this lov'd pair a bless'd retreat was given,
A seat for angels, and a humbler heaven;
Fair Eden nam'd: in swift succession, there
Glad scenes of rapture led the vernal year;
Round the green garden living beauty play'd;
In gay profusion earth her treasures spread;
The air breath'd fragrance; streams harmonious rung,
And love, and transport, tun'd th' aerial song.
A seat for angels, and a humbler heaven;
Fair Eden nam'd: in swift succession, there
Glad scenes of rapture led the vernal year;
Round the green garden living beauty play'd;
In gay profusion earth her treasures spread;
The air breath'd fragrance; streams harmonious rung,
And love, and transport, tun'd th' aerial song.
With tranquil beams the seventh bright morn appear'd
And thus, from firey clouds, a voice was heard.
This day, O Man, to sacred transports rise,
And pass the hours in converse with the skies:
To prayer, to praise, be all thy wishes given;
Soar from the world, and here begin thy heaven!
So shall thy sons pursue the virtuous road,
And, each returning sabbath, wake to God.
The sovereign voice the reverent pair obey'd;
A solemn beauty earth and heaven array'd:
With joy the pinion'd tribes, in every grove,
Hymn'd the blest influence of immortal love:
Man join'd the concert, and his raptur'd lays
Charm'd the gay fields when angels ceas'd to praise.
And thus, from firey clouds, a voice was heard.
This day, O Man, to sacred transports rise,
And pass the hours in converse with the skies:
To prayer, to praise, be all thy wishes given;
Soar from the world, and here begin thy heaven!
So shall thy sons pursue the virtuous road,
And, each returning sabbath, wake to God.
40
A solemn beauty earth and heaven array'd:
With joy the pinion'd tribes, in every grove,
Hymn'd the blest influence of immortal love:
Man join'd the concert, and his raptur'd lays
Charm'd the gay fields when angels ceas'd to praise.
Mid Eden's groves the tree of knowledge stood,
That taught the unalter'd bounds of ill, and good:
Its fruit, all beauteous to the ravish'd eye,
Denied to man, and sacred to the sky:
Denied alone; a boundless store was given,
Food for bright angels, transcript fair of heaven.
And thus the law—If vain desire to taste
Prompt thee, rebellious, to the dire repast;
Hear, hear, O man! on that tremendous day,
Thy life, thy bliss, thy virtue, pass away;
No more the heir of endless joys refin'd,
But guilty, wretched, to the dust consign'd;
Toil here thy lot, thine end the dreary tomb,
And hopeless anguish thine eternal doom.
The sovereign voice the pair obsequious heard,
Th' injunction reverenc'd, and the danger fear'd:
'Till urg'd by impious lust, by hell insnar'd,
They pluck'd the fruit; the guilt, and sentence shar'd,
For one poor banquet, one unreal joy,
Rebell'd, and yielded bliss without alloy;
To howling deserts were from angels driven,
And lost the sweet society of heaven.
That taught the unalter'd bounds of ill, and good:
Its fruit, all beauteous to the ravish'd eye,
Denied to man, and sacred to the sky:
Denied alone; a boundless store was given,
Food for bright angels, transcript fair of heaven.
And thus the law—If vain desire to taste
Prompt thee, rebellious, to the dire repast;
Hear, hear, O man! on that tremendous day,
Thy life, thy bliss, thy virtue, pass away;
No more the heir of endless joys refin'd,
But guilty, wretched, to the dust consign'd;
Toil here thy lot, thine end the dreary tomb,
And hopeless anguish thine eternal doom.
The sovereign voice the pair obsequious heard,
Th' injunction reverenc'd, and the danger fear'd:
'Till urg'd by impious lust, by hell insnar'd,
They pluck'd the fruit; the guilt, and sentence shar'd,
For one poor banquet, one unreal joy,
Rebell'd, and yielded bliss without alloy;
To howling deserts were from angels driven,
And lost the sweet society of heaven.
Then ills on ills unnumber'd rose forlorn;
No more the orient beam'd th' angelic morn;
Fragrance and Beauty clos'd their blissful reign
Nor Spring perennial danc'd along the plain.
Cold Night her fearful clouds around them spread,
And gave new terrors to the howling shade.
Lost in the bosom of th' ascending storm,
The sun's saint beam in winter ceas'd to warm;
O'er plains, and hills, the chilling frost congeal'd;
The snow tempestuous sadden'd all the field;
On the wide wave the headlong whirlwind pour'd,
And all the thunders of the ocean roar'd.
Where late gay bloom'd the harvest's waving pride,
And purpled fruits the bending branches died,
Impervious thorns, and clinging brambles spread,
And unbless'd famine gloom'd th' autumnal shade:
For blood, the raging wolf began to arm;
Fierce, hungry tygers rung the dread alarm;
The lion's sovereign voice, with thrilling sound,
Clear'd the wide grove, and shook the hills around.
No more the orient beam'd th' angelic morn;
Fragrance and Beauty clos'd their blissful reign
Nor Spring perennial danc'd along the plain.
Cold Night her fearful clouds around them spread,
And gave new terrors to the howling shade.
Lost in the bosom of th' ascending storm,
The sun's saint beam in winter ceas'd to warm;
41
The snow tempestuous sadden'd all the field;
On the wide wave the headlong whirlwind pour'd,
And all the thunders of the ocean roar'd.
Where late gay bloom'd the harvest's waving pride,
And purpled fruits the bending branches died,
Impervious thorns, and clinging brambles spread,
And unbless'd famine gloom'd th' autumnal shade:
For blood, the raging wolf began to arm;
Fierce, hungry tygers rung the dread alarm;
The lion's sovereign voice, with thrilling sound,
Clear'd the wide grove, and shook the hills around.
The sacred stamp the mind forever lost,
The skies' perfection and the angel's boast:
Else had our life roll'd on, from sorrow clear,
A semblance bright of heaven's eternal year.
Now stain'd with guilt, the soul to hatred turn'd;
With pride was lifted, and with envy burn'd.
Fierce bickerings rose; with conquest noise was crown'd.
And Reason's still, small voice in curses drown'd:
In vain sweet Friendship charm'd the stubborn ear;
She sung, and wondering found no heart to hear.
The skies' perfection and the angel's boast:
Else had our life roll'd on, from sorrow clear,
A semblance bright of heaven's eternal year.
Now stain'd with guilt, the soul to hatred turn'd;
With pride was lifted, and with envy burn'd.
Fierce bickerings rose; with conquest noise was crown'd.
And Reason's still, small voice in curses drown'd:
In vain sweet Friendship charm'd the stubborn ear;
She sung, and wondering found no heart to hear.
By hands, not wisdom, next the cause was tried,
And blows obtain'd what argument denied.
Revenge soon taught to point the murdering knife,
And secret ambush hedg'd the hated life.
The villain's gloomy path black night conceal'd,
And virtuous blood bedew'd the lonely field.
Then rousing banners War with transport rais'd;
Forth flash'd the steel; the far-seen signal blaz'd:
O'er the scar'd hills the warning clarion rang,
And swift to combat startled nations sprang;
In floods of streaming gore the fields were drown'd,
And slaughter'd thousands heap'd th' embattled ground.
The regal dome, the turret's golden gleam
Grac'd the sad triumphs of th' imperious flame;
From wall to wall insulting engines frown'd,
And all the pride of art fell crumbling to the ground.
And blows obtain'd what argument denied.
Revenge soon taught to point the murdering knife,
And secret ambush hedg'd the hated life.
The villain's gloomy path black night conceal'd,
And virtuous blood bedew'd the lonely field.
Then rousing banners War with transport rais'd;
Forth flash'd the steel; the far-seen signal blaz'd:
O'er the scar'd hills the warning clarion rang,
And swift to combat startled nations sprang;
In floods of streaming gore the fields were drown'd,
And slaughter'd thousands heap'd th' embattled ground.
The regal dome, the turret's golden gleam
Grac'd the sad triumphs of th' imperious flame;
42
And all the pride of art fell crumbling to the ground.
To earth's wide realms, from scenes above the sky,
Th' Almighty Ruler turn'd his searching eye:
Deep sunk in boundless guilt the regions lay,
And vice exulting claim'd a single sway.
Her countless millions, lur'd by Pleasure's charms,
Bask'd in her smiles, and sported in her arms;
The song, the feast, inspir'd the jocund hours,
And Lewdness wanton'd in luxurious bowers.
In vain from door to door the beggar stray'd;
His portion hunger, and the frost his bed:
In vain sad Sickness rais'd her feeble cry;
No friendly hand appear'd, nor melting eye:
Virtue, fair pilgrim, cast a wishful view,
And spread her wings, and sigh'd a last adieu.
Th' Almighty Ruler turn'd his searching eye:
Deep sunk in boundless guilt the regions lay,
And vice exulting claim'd a single sway.
Her countless millions, lur'd by Pleasure's charms,
Bask'd in her smiles, and sported in her arms;
The song, the feast, inspir'd the jocund hours,
And Lewdness wanton'd in luxurious bowers.
In vain from door to door the beggar stray'd;
His portion hunger, and the frost his bed:
In vain sad Sickness rais'd her feeble cry;
No friendly hand appear'd, nor melting eye:
Virtue, fair pilgrim, cast a wishful view,
And spread her wings, and sigh'd a last adieu.
He saw, while terror veil'd his awful face,
And bade fierce ruin wrap the guilty race,
Borne by the vengeance of his lifted arm,
Far roll'd the black immensity of storm;
From east to west were pour'd the glooms on high,
And cloudy curtains hung th' unmeasur'd sky.
Shook by the voice that rends th' immortal plain,
In one broad deluge sunk th' etherial main;
Huge floods, imprison'd in the vaulted ground,
With wild commotion burst the crumbling bound;
O'er earth's broad climes the surging billows driven
Climb'd the tall mountains, and invaded heaven:
The pride of man, the pomp-embosom'd tower,
Towns wrapp'd in gold, and realms of mighty power,
All plung'd at once beneath th' unfathom'd wave,
And nature perish'd in the boundless grave.
And bade fierce ruin wrap the guilty race,
Borne by the vengeance of his lifted arm,
Far roll'd the black immensity of storm;
From east to west were pour'd the glooms on high,
And cloudy curtains hung th' unmeasur'd sky.
Shook by the voice that rends th' immortal plain,
In one broad deluge sunk th' etherial main;
Huge floods, imprison'd in the vaulted ground,
With wild commotion burst the crumbling bound;
O'er earth's broad climes the surging billows driven
Climb'd the tall mountains, and invaded heaven:
The pride of man, the pomp-embosom'd tower,
Towns wrapp'd in gold, and realms of mighty power,
All plung'd at once beneath th' unfathom'd wave,
And nature perish'd in the boundless grave.
From realms, where suns with milder glory shine,
His voice awak'd the western wind divine.
At once the balmy wind obedient blew,
And springing beauty cloth'd the world anew;
In rosy youth her climes emergent smil'd,
And flowery visitants rejoic'd the wild.
His voice awak'd the western wind divine.
At once the balmy wind obedient blew,
And springing beauty cloth'd the world anew;
43
And flowery visitants rejoic'd the wild.
How, doom'd to pass beyond the liquid grave,
The ark's rich treasure triumph'd o'er the wave;
How the bless'd favorite, rising from the main,
Rul'd orient lands, and peopled earth again,
Thou know'st. The wonderous tale, thro' every clime,
Tradition wafts along the stream of time.
With circling splendor, and etherial die,
The covenant bow spread sudden round the sky,
From those gay heavens, that arch'd with pomp divine,
Fair o'er the angelic world forever shine,
To earth remov'd, and fix'd by God's decree,
And endless barrier 'gainst th' ambitious sea.
The ark's rich treasure triumph'd o'er the wave;
How the bless'd favorite, rising from the main,
Rul'd orient lands, and peopled earth again,
Thou know'st. The wonderous tale, thro' every clime,
Tradition wafts along the stream of time.
With circling splendor, and etherial die,
The covenant bow spread sudden round the sky,
From those gay heavens, that arch'd with pomp divine,
Fair o'er the angelic world forever shine,
To earth remov'd, and fix'd by God's decree,
And endless barrier 'gainst th' ambitious sea.
Safe in the sacred sign, ungrateful man
New scenes of guilt with eager zeal began.
Again black Vice o'er nature stretch'd her sway,
And magic Pleasure charm'd the foot astray.
No sacred anthems climb'd the bright abode;
Nor Reason blush'd to hail a golden god:
With rage, and conflict, earth was cover'd o'er;
Towns sunk in flames, and fields were drench'd in gore.
With impious jests they mock'd a future doom;
Sung o'er the shroud, and danc'd into the tomb.
From land to land the clouds of death unfurl'd,
And one wide lethargy benumb'd th' oblivious world.
New scenes of guilt with eager zeal began.
Again black Vice o'er nature stretch'd her sway,
And magic Pleasure charm'd the foot astray.
No sacred anthems climb'd the bright abode;
Nor Reason blush'd to hail a golden god:
With rage, and conflict, earth was cover'd o'er;
Towns sunk in flames, and fields were drench'd in gore.
With impious jests they mock'd a future doom;
Sung o'er the shroud, and danc'd into the tomb.
From land to land the clouds of death unfurl'd,
And one wide lethargy benumb'd th' oblivious world.
Then too, proud Ashur, queen of realms, began
To forge her chains, and bind inglorious man.
Hence, tyrants sprang, and dar'd with impious claim,
Demand the honours of the sacred Name;
Hence stern Oppression rais'd his iron rod,
Hence crimson Slaughter wrapp'd the world in blood:
Thro' every clime the night of slavery spread.
And Heaven repenting griev'd that man was made.
To forge her chains, and bind inglorious man.
Hence, tyrants sprang, and dar'd with impious claim,
Demand the honours of the sacred Name;
Hence stern Oppression rais'd his iron rod,
Hence crimson Slaughter wrapp'd the world in blood:
Thro' every clime the night of slavery spread.
And Heaven repenting griev'd that man was made.
From this black mass, this mingled host of foes,
One fainted friend th' Almighty Ruler chose;
For him, bless'd champion of his yielding cause!
He chang'd the stable course of nature's laws;
(An hundred summers saw the circling morn,
Ere his first hope, the promis'd heir was born)
To him, to his he gave Canäan's shore,
'Till the bright evening gild the west no more.
To Idol guilt the world beside was given,
Their name, their memory blotted out of heaven.
One fainted friend th' Almighty Ruler chose;
44
He chang'd the stable course of nature's laws;
(An hundred summers saw the circling morn,
Ere his first hope, the promis'd heir was born)
To him, to his he gave Canäan's shore,
'Till the bright evening gild the west no more.
To Idol guilt the world beside was given,
Their name, their memory blotted out of heaven.
When the dire famine o'er all nations spread,
His hand the favorite race to Egypt led.
As some fair tree, where fruitful streams are roll'd,
Lifts spiry shoots, and bids its leaves unfold;
O'er the green bank ambitious branches rise,
Enjoy the winds, and gain upon the skies;
While opening flowers around it gayly spring,
And birds with transport clap the painted wing:
So each fond sun, and each successive shade
Beheld with smiles the infant nation spread;
From field to field the rising boughs expand,
Share the glad smiles of heaven, and fill the jealous land.
His hand the favorite race to Egypt led.
As some fair tree, where fruitful streams are roll'd,
Lifts spiry shoots, and bids its leaves unfold;
O'er the green bank ambitious branches rise,
Enjoy the winds, and gain upon the skies;
While opening flowers around it gayly spring,
And birds with transport clap the painted wing:
So each fond sun, and each successive shade
Beheld with smiles the infant nation spread;
From field to field the rising boughs expand,
Share the glad smiles of heaven, and fill the jealous land.
Their sudden growth the envious tyrant view'd,
And impious hands in infant gore imbru'd,
With bold oppression bath'd the streaming eye,
Rack'd the sad soul, and rous'd the suppliant cry.
And impious hands in infant gore imbru'd,
With bold oppression bath'd the streaming eye,
Rack'd the sad soul, and rous'd the suppliant cry.
Their bleeding wrongs the omniscient Mind survey'd,
And bade fierce Vengeance bare her flaming blade.
No more the limpid wave serenely flow'd;
But thro' sad shores the river roll'd in blood;
Unnumber'd reptiles climb'd the stately dome,
Croak'd o'er the feast, and crawl'd the pillar'd room;
Insects in countless millions earth o'erspread;
The sickening murrain gloom'd the pastur'd shade;
From darken'd skies the storm's red bolts were hurl'd,
And hail, and lightening swept the wasted world;
Like cloudy curtains, locusts hung the day;
Pale death, and famine mark'd their baleful way:
Three days blank midnight wrapp'd the realm in gloom,
And all her first-born sunk in one broad tomb.
And bade fierce Vengeance bare her flaming blade.
No more the limpid wave serenely flow'd;
But thro' sad shores the river roll'd in blood;
Unnumber'd reptiles climb'd the stately dome,
Croak'd o'er the feast, and crawl'd the pillar'd room;
Insects in countless millions earth o'erspread;
The sickening murrain gloom'd the pastur'd shade;
From darken'd skies the storm's red bolts were hurl'd,
And hail, and lightening swept the wasted world;
Like cloudy curtains, locusts hung the day;
Pale death, and famine mark'd their baleful way:
45
And all her first-born sunk in one broad tomb.
Then, high in air his lucid banner spread,
To the bright sign collected Israel fled,
With transport trac'd the finger of the sky,
Wing'd their glad path, and hail'd redemption nigh.
In vain its countless ills the waste disclos'd;
In vain the sea their sacred path oppos'd;
Back roll'd th' instinctive main; and round their side
In crystal splendor stood the conscious tide.
In the bright front, a cloud his dark abode,
Thron'd on the rushing winds, an angel rode,
The spreading volumes mark'd their path by day,
And guiding flames illum'd their nightly way.
Behind, the tyrant, urg'd by Heaven's decree,
Drove his pale host, and trembled thro' the sea.
On the tall shore sublime the Prophet stood,
And stretch'd his hand above the eager flood;
Wide-circling all, far clos'd the billow'd womb,
And Egypt's glories found a watery tomb.
Thro' spacious climes of fierce and scorching day,
The cloud expanded led their lonely way,
'Till, white with cliffs, and crown'd with many a shade,
In cloudy pride fam'd Sinai rear'd its head.
On this lone mount, the all-discerning Mind
To teach his name, t' unfold his law, design'd;
On earth to witness truth and power divine,
And bid o'er Jacob's sons his splendors shine:
Beneath its haughty brow the thousands lay,
And hop'd the wonders of th' expected day.
To the bright sign collected Israel fled,
With transport trac'd the finger of the sky,
Wing'd their glad path, and hail'd redemption nigh.
In vain its countless ills the waste disclos'd;
In vain the sea their sacred path oppos'd;
Back roll'd th' instinctive main; and round their side
In crystal splendor stood the conscious tide.
In the bright front, a cloud his dark abode,
Thron'd on the rushing winds, an angel rode,
The spreading volumes mark'd their path by day,
And guiding flames illum'd their nightly way.
Behind, the tyrant, urg'd by Heaven's decree,
Drove his pale host, and trembled thro' the sea.
On the tall shore sublime the Prophet stood,
And stretch'd his hand above the eager flood;
Wide-circling all, far clos'd the billow'd womb,
And Egypt's glories found a watery tomb.
Thro' spacious climes of fierce and scorching day,
The cloud expanded led their lonely way,
'Till, white with cliffs, and crown'd with many a shade,
In cloudy pride fam'd Sinai rear'd its head.
On this lone mount, the all-discerning Mind
To teach his name, t' unfold his law, design'd;
On earth to witness truth and power divine,
And bid o'er Jacob's sons his splendors shine:
Beneath its haughty brow the thousands lay,
And hop'd the wonders of th' expected day.
Fair rose the dawn: from heaven's sublime abode,
Th' almighty Power in boundless glory rode;
Long dusky folds a cloud around him spread,
His throne surrounding with impervious shade.
Its flame-bright skirts with light excessive shone,
A noon-tide morn, that dimm'd the rising sun.
Forth from its womb unusual lightnings fly,
And thunders, hurl'd on thunders, rock the sky:
To Sinai's top the wonderous scene descends;
Down plunge his cliffs; his tottering summit rends;
O'er all the mountain burn devouring fires,
Wreath'd in dread smoke, and crown'd with lofty spires.
Loud as hoarse whirlwinds earth and heaven deform,
Loud as the thousand thunders of the storm,
With clear, dread voice, in pomp tremendous, roll
The trump's long-sounding terrors thro' the pole.
The Seer majestic climbs the towering height,
And, bosom'd deep in glory, leaves the sight.
Th' almighty Power in boundless glory rode;
Long dusky folds a cloud around him spread,
His throne surrounding with impervious shade.
Its flame-bright skirts with light excessive shone,
A noon-tide morn, that dimm'd the rising sun.
46
And thunders, hurl'd on thunders, rock the sky:
To Sinai's top the wonderous scene descends;
Down plunge his cliffs; his tottering summit rends;
O'er all the mountain burn devouring fires,
Wreath'd in dread smoke, and crown'd with lofty spires.
Loud as hoarse whirlwinds earth and heaven deform,
Loud as the thousand thunders of the storm,
With clear, dread voice, in pomp tremendous, roll
The trump's long-sounding terrors thro' the pole.
The Seer majestic climbs the towering height,
And, bosom'd deep in glory, leaves the sight.
There, while the world was hush'd in silent awe,
The Sovereign Mind disclos'd th' eternal Law;
And thus the dread commands. O Israel, know,
I am the Lord, who snatch'd thy sons from woe,
From Egypt's bondage trac'd thy various ways:
Nor shall base Idols share my sacred praise.
Let no vain words my fearful Name prophane;
Nor toil, nor sports my holy sabbaths stain.
Thy parent's voice with reverent mind obey:
Thy hand from dire revenge, and murther stay:
Let not a thought thy neighbour's couch ascend;
And not a wish to others wealth extend:
Let truth thy converse, truth thy oaths confine:
And every passion to thy lot resign.
The Sovereign Mind disclos'd th' eternal Law;
And thus the dread commands. O Israel, know,
I am the Lord, who snatch'd thy sons from woe,
From Egypt's bondage trac'd thy various ways:
Nor shall base Idols share my sacred praise.
Let no vain words my fearful Name prophane;
Nor toil, nor sports my holy sabbaths stain.
Thy parent's voice with reverent mind obey:
Thy hand from dire revenge, and murther stay:
Let not a thought thy neighbour's couch ascend;
And not a wish to others wealth extend:
Let truth thy converse, truth thy oaths confine:
And every passion to thy lot resign.
Unnumber'd statutes then his voice ordain'd,
The poor protected, and the rich restrain'd;
And taught, what manners prosperous rule assure,
Their foes to vanquish, and their peace secure.
The poor protected, and the rich restrain'd;
And taught, what manners prosperous rule assure,
Their foes to vanquish, and their peace secure.
Then thro' long, weary climes their course was turn'd,
Still mov'd the cloud, and still the glory burn'd.
With ceaseless care he fill'd their hearts with good;
The skies dissolving shower'd immortal food:
With wondering joy they saw the streamy rain
Pour from the rock, and spread along the plain:
And clonds of quails, from every region driven,
Blacken'd the fields, and fill'd the bounds of heaven.
Still mov'd the cloud, and still the glory burn'd.
With ceaseless care he fill'd their hearts with good;
The skies dissolving shower'd immortal food:
With wondering joy they saw the streamy rain
Pour from the rock, and spread along the plain:
47
Blacken'd the fields, and fill'd the bounds of heaven.
'Twas then, near Edom's realms the thousands lay,
And her proud prince denied th' expected way.
Whate'er their state, whate'er their God concern'd,
From their great Seer my curious parent learn'd;
Charm'd with the scene, he left his native soil,
Shar'd all their wants, and barter'd ease for toil.
And her proud prince denied th' expected way.
Whate'er their state, whate'er their God concern'd,
From their great Seer my curious parent learn'd;
Charm'd with the scene, he left his native soil,
Shar'd all their wants, and barter'd ease for toil.
Thro' long, lone paths we bent our circling course,
Untir'd by winter's rage, or summer's force;
Bright angels led the van; and round the road
Dread scenes of terror mark'd the present God.
Untir'd by winter's rage, or summer's force;
Bright angels led the van; and round the road
Dread scenes of terror mark'd the present God.
Even now I see fierce Sihon's hostile train,
Sheath'd in dire arms, and frowning o'er the plain.
In childhood then, around my fire I clung,
Danc'd in his arms, and in his bosom hung.
With nimble steps the sacred warriors sped,
Blew the shrill trump, and fill'd the field with dead.
Like drifts of rushing dust, that sweep the skies,
On fear's light pinions swift the remnant flies;
From town to town we wing our rapid way,
And the wide region sinks an easy prey.
Sheath'd in dire arms, and frowning o'er the plain.
In childhood then, around my fire I clung,
Danc'd in his arms, and in his bosom hung.
With nimble steps the sacred warriors sped,
Blew the shrill trump, and fill'd the field with dead.
Like drifts of rushing dust, that sweep the skies,
On fear's light pinions swift the remnant flies;
From town to town we wing our rapid way,
And the wide region sinks an easy prey.
Then giant Og his heroes drove to arms,
Whirl'd his proud car, and thunder'd hoarse alarms:
In distant fields I saw the storm ascend,
Its shades all darken, and its clouds extend;
Down the grim hills I heard the volumes roll,
And bursting terrors rend the shuddering pole.
As snows, slight fabric, in warm suns decay,
The impious squadrons sudden melt away.
Whirl'd his proud car, and thunder'd hoarse alarms:
In distant fields I saw the storm ascend,
Its shades all darken, and its clouds extend;
Down the grim hills I heard the volumes roll,
And bursting terrors rend the shuddering pole.
As snows, slight fabric, in warm suns decay,
The impious squadrons sudden melt away.
Now o'er the Seer had six-score summers run,
And hoary locks around his temples shone,
When sounds melodious, opening from the sky,
To the sad train declar'd his end was nigh.
His mind inspir'd with more than mortal sight,
Saw future scenes and ages rush to light;
And thus his voice. On Israel's chosen train,
Like vernal showers let endless blessings rain:
Each rising age, ascend thy glory higher,
With time roll on, and with the skies expire!
But oh, my sons, this voice attentive hear;
Let these last strains command the listening ear!
And hoary locks around his temples shone,
When sounds melodious, opening from the sky,
To the sad train declar'd his end was nigh.
48
Saw future scenes and ages rush to light;
And thus his voice. On Israel's chosen train,
Like vernal showers let endless blessings rain:
Each rising age, ascend thy glory higher,
With time roll on, and with the skies expire!
But oh, my sons, this voice attentive hear;
Let these last strains command the listening ear!
To unborn years I stretch my raptur'd eyes;
I see the promis'd seed in glory rise!
The etherial star triumphant mounts on high,
And fairer beams adorn the unmeasur'd sky:
All heaven impatient waits the sacred morn;
Jesus descends; the filial God is born:
Hosts of bright angels round the favorite shine,
And earth is ravish'd with their hymns divine.
'Tis he, whose offering guilt shall wash away,
And raise Mankind to climes of ceaseless day;
The bliss of truth, and virtue, shall inspire,
And warm the bosom with seraphic fire.
Haste, haste, ye days of heaven! with rapid wing,
To this sad world the hope of nations bring!
Descend, O Prince of peace! thy love bestow;
Cleanse the dark soul from seeds of endless woe;
With all earth's myriads Jacob's sons unite,
And bid immortal glory spring to light.
No more the gentile realms in dust shall mourn;
Nor evening altars to th' infernals burn;
But wak'd, reviv'd, by thy celestial name,
One cloud of incense, one unbounded flame,
To heaven ascend: the sun shall brighter rise,
And peace, and light, and glory gild the skies.
I see the promis'd seed in glory rise!
The etherial star triumphant mounts on high,
And fairer beams adorn the unmeasur'd sky:
All heaven impatient waits the sacred morn;
Jesus descends; the filial God is born:
Hosts of bright angels round the favorite shine,
And earth is ravish'd with their hymns divine.
'Tis he, whose offering guilt shall wash away,
And raise Mankind to climes of ceaseless day;
The bliss of truth, and virtue, shall inspire,
And warm the bosom with seraphic fire.
Haste, haste, ye days of heaven! with rapid wing,
To this sad world the hope of nations bring!
Descend, O Prince of peace! thy love bestow;
Cleanse the dark soul from seeds of endless woe;
With all earth's myriads Jacob's sons unite,
And bid immortal glory spring to light.
No more the gentile realms in dust shall mourn;
Nor evening altars to th' infernals burn;
But wak'd, reviv'd, by thy celestial name,
One cloud of incense, one unbounded flame,
To heaven ascend: the sun shall brighter rise,
And peace, and light, and glory gild the skies.
Thus the great Seer; and warm'd with heavenly grace,
Besought all blessings for his darling race;
Then up fam'd Pisgah's side serenely drew,
Where all Canäan met his rapturous view;
Thence his glad soul explor'd her native day,
And left, for bliss, the tenemental clay:
His soul, scarce lower than the angels made,
With glory mitred, and with truth array'd.
As the bold eagle, borne from humble vales,
Lifts his strong wings, and up th' expansion fails;
O'er groves, o'er hills, o'er mountains, wins his way,
And climbs exulting in the noon-tide ray;
Now far beneath him sees each birdling fly;
Now clouds light-floating skim the lower sky;
In prospect wide, with piercing ken, descries
Far, lessening towns, and spacious empires rise;
Here rivers wind, the lakes their borders spread;
And there the blue-seen ocean smooths his bed;
In pride sublime, he holds his upward way,
And basks, and triumphs, in the flame of day.
So, borne with angel-flight, his mighty mind,
Ascending, left the common wing behind;
Full on the sun's great Source superior drew,
'Till truth's wide regions stretch'd in glorious view;
There fair Creation spread her boundless plan;
There op'd, mysterious, all the world of man:
With every splendor bright Redemption shone;
And, one immense of beauty, God the Son.
Still up the heavens he wing'd his solar flight,
And soar'd, and mingled with unborrow'd light.
Besought all blessings for his darling race;
Then up fam'd Pisgah's side serenely drew,
Where all Canäan met his rapturous view;
49
And left, for bliss, the tenemental clay:
His soul, scarce lower than the angels made,
With glory mitred, and with truth array'd.
As the bold eagle, borne from humble vales,
Lifts his strong wings, and up th' expansion fails;
O'er groves, o'er hills, o'er mountains, wins his way,
And climbs exulting in the noon-tide ray;
Now far beneath him sees each birdling fly;
Now clouds light-floating skim the lower sky;
In prospect wide, with piercing ken, descries
Far, lessening towns, and spacious empires rise;
Here rivers wind, the lakes their borders spread;
And there the blue-seen ocean smooths his bed;
In pride sublime, he holds his upward way,
And basks, and triumphs, in the flame of day.
So, borne with angel-flight, his mighty mind,
Ascending, left the common wing behind;
Full on the sun's great Source superior drew,
'Till truth's wide regions stretch'd in glorious view;
There fair Creation spread her boundless plan;
There op'd, mysterious, all the world of man:
With every splendor bright Redemption shone;
And, one immense of beauty, God the Son.
Still up the heavens he wing'd his solar flight,
And soar'd, and mingled with unborrow'd light.
Far in a wild vale's solitary gloom,
Jehovah form'd his favourite's lonely tomb;
For life distinguish'd, there his limbs refine,
'Till morn's last beams in purple glory shine;
Then, rob'd in beauty, shall the Prophet rise,
And sail, the peer of angels, thro' the skies.
Jehovah form'd his favourite's lonely tomb;
For life distinguish'd, there his limbs refine,
'Till morn's last beams in purple glory shine;
Then, rob'd in beauty, shall the Prophet rise,
And sail, the peer of angels, thro' the skies.
But, ere his spirit sought celestial day,
To Joshua's hand he gave the destin'd sway,
A Chief divine! with every virtue crown'd,
In combat glorious, and in peace renown'd,
To him the Almighty voice—Thy chosen hand
Shall guide my sons, and rule the promis'd land.
That land, where peace, and every pleasure reigns,
O'er heaven-topp'd hills, and fair, extended plains;
Where countless nations build the lofty dome,
Nurse purpling vines, and teach the vales to bloom;
That land is thine. Where'er thy foot shall tread,
From the parch'd climes where Midian's thousands spread,
To realms, where Hazor, arm'd with potent sway,
Bids kingdoms bow, and conquer'd chiefs obey:
Or where Euphrates winds his gentle flight;
Or the broad ocean rolls in evening light;
All, all is thine. Who dare thy course withstand,
Shall feel the fury of th' Eternal hand.
Lost in black crimes the torpid nations lie,
And claim fierce vengeance from an injur'd sky.
Rise, rise to arms! o'er Jordan's yielding flood
My guardian hand shall point the destin'd road.
To Joshua's hand he gave the destin'd sway,
A Chief divine! with every virtue crown'd,
In combat glorious, and in peace renown'd,
50
Shall guide my sons, and rule the promis'd land.
That land, where peace, and every pleasure reigns,
O'er heaven-topp'd hills, and fair, extended plains;
Where countless nations build the lofty dome,
Nurse purpling vines, and teach the vales to bloom;
That land is thine. Where'er thy foot shall tread,
From the parch'd climes where Midian's thousands spread,
To realms, where Hazor, arm'd with potent sway,
Bids kingdoms bow, and conquer'd chiefs obey:
Or where Euphrates winds his gentle flight;
Or the broad ocean rolls in evening light;
All, all is thine. Who dare thy course withstand,
Shall feel the fury of th' Eternal hand.
Lost in black crimes the torpid nations lie,
And claim fierce vengeance from an injur'd sky.
Rise, rise to arms! o'er Jordan's yielding flood
My guardian hand shall point the destin'd road.
Thus spoke the fair: and while th' etherial strain
Breath'd a soft music o'er the wondering train,
With anxious look th' impatient monarch cried—
O best of maids, thy sex's noblest pride!
Far round the neighbouring realms by fame is rung
The wonderous race, thy lovely voice has sung.
Oft have I heard, how, arm'd with dreadful rod,
Before his votaries march'd their mighty God;
How kings in vain their rapid course oppos'd,
Their hosts all vanquish'd, and their empire clos'd.
But still, misled by Rumour's dubious tongue,
In sad suspense my mind all-anxious hung.
Now with clear truth the scenes tremendous shine;
Of force convinc'd, I own the Power divine.
And must our race with one wide doom expire?
These turrets sink? these walls be wrapt in fire?
Must yon bright maid, whose soft and lovely smile
Could murderers charm, and wolves of rage beguile:
These beauteous infants, scarce to reason born,
Sweeter than flowers perfume the vernal morn,
To war's unpitying fury yield their breath,
And helpless close their little eyes in death?
O thou great God, whose sway o'er heaven presides,
Whose searching eye the world's vast empire guides:
Stay, stay thine hand; this guilty nation spare;
Let these sweet babes thy boundless pity share!
Unform'd our infant prayer—but cries sincere
And honest hearts will find a bounteous ear.
Breath'd a soft music o'er the wondering train,
With anxious look th' impatient monarch cried—
O best of maids, thy sex's noblest pride!
Far round the neighbouring realms by fame is rung
The wonderous race, thy lovely voice has sung.
Oft have I heard, how, arm'd with dreadful rod,
Before his votaries march'd their mighty God;
How kings in vain their rapid course oppos'd,
Their hosts all vanquish'd, and their empire clos'd.
But still, misled by Rumour's dubious tongue,
In sad suspense my mind all-anxious hung.
Now with clear truth the scenes tremendous shine;
Of force convinc'd, I own the Power divine.
And must our race with one wide doom expire?
These turrets sink? these walls be wrapt in fire?
Must yon bright maid, whose soft and lovely smile
Could murderers charm, and wolves of rage beguile:
51
Sweeter than flowers perfume the vernal morn,
To war's unpitying fury yield their breath,
And helpless close their little eyes in death?
O thou great God, whose sway o'er heaven presides,
Whose searching eye the world's vast empire guides:
Stay, stay thine hand; this guilty nation spare;
Let these sweet babes thy boundless pity share!
Unform'd our infant prayer—but cries sincere
And honest hearts will find a bounteous ear.
He spoke; around, the melting voice of woe
Breath'd sad complaints, and tears began to flow;
When thus the Prince again—O loveliest maid!
Where, where shall Gibeon find the needed aid?
Can no kind hand the friendly refuge give?
No pitying saviour bid my children live?
Say, loveliest fair, canst thou no succour lend?
Our teacher thou—be thou our guardian friend.
Perchance thy bounteous Ruler, form'd to bless,
O'er suppliant realms may lift the branch of peace.
Breath'd sad complaints, and tears began to flow;
When thus the Prince again—O loveliest maid!
Where, where shall Gibeon find the needed aid?
Can no kind hand the friendly refuge give?
No pitying saviour bid my children live?
Say, loveliest fair, canst thou no succour lend?
Our teacher thou—be thou our guardian friend.
Perchance thy bounteous Ruler, form'd to bless,
O'er suppliant realms may lift the branch of peace.
The maid return'd—perhaps a virgin's mind,
Though wisdom fail, the wish'd retreat may find.
To Israel's camp two trusty heroes send;
Let me, restor'd, their peaceful steps attend.
The maid, thou seest by blest adoption shares
Their mighty Leader's fond, parental cares.
Pleas'd with the offering, Joshua's hand may give
The palm of peace, and bid thy nation live.
Though wisdom fail, the wish'd retreat may find.
To Israel's camp two trusty heroes send;
Let me, restor'd, their peaceful steps attend.
The maid, thou seest by blest adoption shares
Their mighty Leader's fond, parental cares.
Pleas'd with the offering, Joshua's hand may give
The palm of peace, and bid thy nation live.
Charm'd with the thought, joy sparkling in his eyes,
With voice exulting, strait the king replies.
O fair divine! thy mind, with wisdom bright,
Even age out-soars and climbs an angel's flight.
Let peace thy life surround. The task be mine
Soon to prepare, and end the blest design.
Thy lovely voice must find a generous ear;
So sweet a strain even oaks would bow to hear.
With voice exulting, strait the king replies.
O fair divine! thy mind, with wisdom bright,
Even age out-soars and climbs an angel's flight.
Let peace thy life surround. The task be mine
Soon to prepare, and end the blest design.
Thy lovely voice must find a generous ear;
So sweet a strain even oaks would bow to hear.
52
The Monarch spoke; and o'er the circling throng
Bright smiles broke forth, and pleas'd applauses rung;
A beauteous semblance of the fields around,
Starr'd with young flowers, and with gay verdure crown'd,
Where airy songs, soft proof of raptur'd love,
Wav'd on the gale, and echo'd thro' the grove;
While the clear sun, rejoicing still to rise,
In pomp roll'd round immeasurable skies.
Bright smiles broke forth, and pleas'd applauses rung;
A beauteous semblance of the fields around,
Starr'd with young flowers, and with gay verdure crown'd,
Where airy songs, soft proof of raptur'd love,
Wav'd on the gale, and echo'd thro' the grove;
While the clear sun, rejoicing still to rise,
In pomp roll'd round immeasurable skies.
| The conquest of Canäan | |