University of Virginia Library

SONG OF THE ARCHANGELS.

PROLOGUE IN FAUST.

RAPHAEL.
The sun yet sounds his ancient song,
Exultant, 'mid the choral spheres;
In thunder-swiftness rolled along,
He journeys through the allotted years.
The angels strengthen in his light,
Though none may read his mystic gaze;
Thy works, unutterably bright,
Are fair as on the First of Days.

GABRIEL.
And swift, unutterably swift,
Revolves the splendor of the world;
The gleams of Aidenn glow and shift,
The shroud of night is spread and furled.
The sea in foamy waves is hurled
Against the rooted rocks profound;
And rocks and seas, together whirled,
Sweep on in their eternal round.

MICHAEL.
And storms are shouting, as in strife,
From sea to land, from land to sea,
And weave a chain of wildest life
Round all, in rude tempestuous glee.
There desolation flies abroad
Before the thunder's dreaded way:
And here Thy messengers, O Lord!
Watch the sweet parting of Thy day.

THE THREE.
The angels strengthen in Thy sight,
Though none may know Thy wondrous ways;
Yea, all Thy works sublimely bright
Are fair as on the First of Days.