Messiah A Poem, in Twenty-Eight Books. By Joseph Cottle |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. | BOOK III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
 | Messiah |  |
23
BOOK III.
The Fall.
The Sun in pomp had risen. Creation wide
Teem'd with divinest beauty. Side by side,
Adam and Eve, in all their lofty state
Of innocence and dignity, sedate,
'Mid flowers of varied dye, and myrtle grove,
Breathing delicious fragrance, happy, rove
In converse sweet; now, pausing, to behold
The pendent fruits, mature, like gems and gold,
Waving with every breeze, and still array'd,
More gorgeous, as the sun-beam o'er them play'd.
All living things that fill the earth, the air;
All lovely sights, all holy forms were there,
Nor least, Old Gihon, with his ample tide,
Where countless birds, in sumptuous plumage, glide,
Or, upward soaring, wanton wild around,
Whilst, on the margin of the flood, are found
A thousand graceful beasts, in long array,
None bold, none timid, mild as closing day,
Amid the noon-day heat, from covert near,
As on the wave their second selves appear,
Drinking the draught refreshing, sweet as clear.
Teem'd with divinest beauty. Side by side,
Adam and Eve, in all their lofty state
Of innocence and dignity, sedate,
'Mid flowers of varied dye, and myrtle grove,
Breathing delicious fragrance, happy, rove
In converse sweet; now, pausing, to behold
The pendent fruits, mature, like gems and gold,
Waving with every breeze, and still array'd,
More gorgeous, as the sun-beam o'er them play'd.
All living things that fill the earth, the air;
All lovely sights, all holy forms were there,
24
Where countless birds, in sumptuous plumage, glide,
Or, upward soaring, wanton wild around,
Whilst, on the margin of the flood, are found
A thousand graceful beasts, in long array,
None bold, none timid, mild as closing day,
Amid the noon-day heat, from covert near,
As on the wave their second selves appear,
Drinking the draught refreshing, sweet as clear.
Jehovah calls! Adam the voice obey'd.
Jehovah, who, awhile, in needful shade,
Shrouded his glories. Thus, to our first Sire,
His Maker, spake. “Behold, yon orb of fire,
“This glorious host of things that happy be,
“All made in innocence, and all for thee!
“I form'd thee from the dust, no heir of strife,
“I in thy nostril breathed the breath of life,
“And gave thee all thou see'st, from age to age,
“To be thy fair and rightful heritage.
“One law is mine. The fruits of every kind
“That round thee hang, luxuriant, unconfin'd,
“Gather and eat; but of yon stately tree,
“The Tree of Knowledge, on high penalty,
“Touch not! If tempted, from the tempter, fly!
“For in the day thou eatest, thou shalt die!”
Jehovah, who, awhile, in needful shade,
Shrouded his glories. Thus, to our first Sire,
His Maker, spake. “Behold, yon orb of fire,
“This glorious host of things that happy be,
“All made in innocence, and all for thee!
“I form'd thee from the dust, no heir of strife,
“I in thy nostril breathed the breath of life,
“And gave thee all thou see'st, from age to age,
“To be thy fair and rightful heritage.
“One law is mine. The fruits of every kind
“That round thee hang, luxuriant, unconfin'd,
“Gather and eat; but of yon stately tree,
“The Tree of Knowledge, on high penalty,
25
“For in the day thou eatest, thou shalt die!”
After long flight, as eve her mantle threw
O'er nature wide, Satan and Mammon drew
Within earth's verge; and when the orb appear'd,
Dimly descried, th' infernal chiefs uprear'd
Their crested heads, transported to behold
(Whilst clearer still the prospects round unfold,)
Their toil rewarded! Hovering in the air,
And meditating plans, how best to snare
Our unsuspecting parents, thro' the dark,
On buoyant wing, they pause. Now as they mark
Morn in her robes of gold, unfolding slow,
And cloud on cloud, in deeper crimson glow,
Magnificence thro' all the concave spread,
Whilst earth, one mass of glory rose; it shed
Sorrow's brief pang. The soul-subduing sight
Call'd to their minds, those regions of delight,
So late their home! and rather than this scene,
Steep'd in divine effulgence, so serene!
Their joy had been, to range the howling sky,
'Mid darkness, whilst the livid lightnings fly,
And thunders, with imperious rage, extend
Their ravage, to creation's farthest end.
O'er nature wide, Satan and Mammon drew
Within earth's verge; and when the orb appear'd,
Dimly descried, th' infernal chiefs uprear'd
Their crested heads, transported to behold
(Whilst clearer still the prospects round unfold,)
Their toil rewarded! Hovering in the air,
And meditating plans, how best to snare
Our unsuspecting parents, thro' the dark,
On buoyant wing, they pause. Now as they mark
Morn in her robes of gold, unfolding slow,
And cloud on cloud, in deeper crimson glow,
Magnificence thro' all the concave spread,
Whilst earth, one mass of glory rose; it shed
Sorrow's brief pang. The soul-subduing sight
Call'd to their minds, those regions of delight,
So late their home! and rather than this scene,
Steep'd in divine effulgence, so serene!
Their joy had been, to range the howling sky,
'Mid darkness, whilst the livid lightnings fly,
And thunders, with imperious rage, extend
Their ravage, to creation's farthest end.
26
Fearful, by step incautious, of mistake,
Aloft in air, Satan to Mammon spake.
“Behold our prize! Tho' lovely world it be,
“Our aim is havoc—object, misery!
“Each softer feeling, crowding on our mind,
“We must discard, to all but conquest blind.—
“In gentle converse, by yon roseate bower,
“The first-created pair, behold! A power,
“To stand or fall, the Highest hath bestow'd,
“The test, obedience! Rough and dangeous road!
“The fruit is fair, which doth to love intice!
“Yon towering tree, the pride of Paradise,
“They may behold, but must the taste abjure!
“This is their law. Made innocent as pure,
“Haply, by subtile art, and lies reveal'd,
“By process, cautious, man to us may yield
“His eminence of good; and we survey
“Heaven vanquish'd, whilst, in triumph from the fray,
“Back to our dark abode, we wend our way.”
Aloft in air, Satan to Mammon spake.
“Behold our prize! Tho' lovely world it be,
“Our aim is havoc—object, misery!
“Each softer feeling, crowding on our mind,
“We must discard, to all but conquest blind.—
“In gentle converse, by yon roseate bower,
“The first-created pair, behold! A power,
“To stand or fall, the Highest hath bestow'd,
“The test, obedience! Rough and dangeous road!
“The fruit is fair, which doth to love intice!
“Yon towering tree, the pride of Paradise,
“They may behold, but must the taste abjure!
“This is their law. Made innocent as pure,
“Haply, by subtile art, and lies reveal'd,
“By process, cautious, man to us may yield
“His eminence of good; and we survey
“Heaven vanquish'd, whilst, in triumph from the fray,
“Back to our dark abode, we wend our way.”
Satan pursued. “Our toils must be prepared,
“First, for the Man, and that he be ensnared,
“In moment soon to come, do thou oppress,
“Full, in mid-day, his soul with heaviness;
“This train fulfill'd, to Eve thy visit choose,
“And, in her heart, slowly the thought infuse,
“Which may intice her from her lord aside;
“I, in the Serpent's form, will near her glide,
“And soon her choice the contest shall decide.”
This said, thro' clouds of every form and hue,
Downward to earth, the fiends their way pursue.
“First, for the Man, and that he be ensnared,
“In moment soon to come, do thou oppress,
“Full, in mid-day, his soul with heaviness;
“This train fulfill'd, to Eve thy visit choose,
27
“Which may intice her from her lord aside;
“I, in the Serpent's form, will near her glide,
“And soon her choice the contest shall decide.”
This said, thro' clouds of every form and hue,
Downward to earth, the fiends their way pursue.
Now crimson morn had vanish'd, and the sun
Half thro' the heaven's his path of splendor run.
The Father of our race, with her beside,
Our ancient Mother, fair, Creation's pride!
'Mid bowers, with chaplet's crown'd, their hours beguile,
Whilst birds, in their magnificence, the while,
Give forth perpetual chants. The insect throng,
In varied murmurs, bear their loads along
Of nectar, from the flowers mellifluous round,
While on the breeze was heard no jarring sound,
But rather voice of joy, while Gihon, nigh,
In gentle flow, fill'd up the harmony.
Half thro' the heaven's his path of splendor run.
The Father of our race, with her beside,
Our ancient Mother, fair, Creation's pride!
'Mid bowers, with chaplet's crown'd, their hours beguile,
Whilst birds, in their magnificence, the while,
Give forth perpetual chants. The insect throng,
In varied murmurs, bear their loads along
Of nectar, from the flowers mellifluous round,
While on the breeze was heard no jarring sound,
But rather voice of joy, while Gihon, nigh,
In gentle flow, fill'd up the harmony.
To Adam, near, Eve thus her speech preferr'd.
“Lord of my joy, at morn, a voice I heard,
“(Beyond the Tree of Knowledge,) which awoke
“My tenderest care. Methought an angel spoke!
“When, turning, on the ground, a Serpent, fair,
“Wondering, I saw, with head aloft in air,
“And colours that eclips'd the orient beam.
“Toward me he hasten'd like a golden stream;
“And as I stood to hail so rare a sight,
“I heard thy distant voice, and with delight
“Sped on, to welcome, from thy early toil,
“Thee, with fond smile. The flowers that deck the soil,
“Are sweet, with every wide o'er-arching tree,
“But thou, of earthly good, art chief to me.
“While thou, upon this flowery bank, serene,
“Reclinest soft, I, yon enchanting scene,
“Once more will visit, and, anon, with joy,
“Return, to share, with thee, each sweet employ.”
“Lord of my joy, at morn, a voice I heard,
“(Beyond the Tree of Knowledge,) which awoke
“My tenderest care. Methought an angel spoke!
28
“Wondering, I saw, with head aloft in air,
“And colours that eclips'd the orient beam.
“Toward me he hasten'd like a golden stream;
“And as I stood to hail so rare a sight,
“I heard thy distant voice, and with delight
“Sped on, to welcome, from thy early toil,
“Thee, with fond smile. The flowers that deck the soil,
“Are sweet, with every wide o'er-arching tree,
“But thou, of earthly good, art chief to me.
“While thou, upon this flowery bank, serene,
“Reclinest soft, I, yon enchanting scene,
“Once more will visit, and, anon, with joy,
“Return, to share, with thee, each sweet employ.”
Adam replied. “The cloudless sun is high,
“And o'er my passive sense steals silently
“The power of sleep. If aught thou hast survey'd
“Imperfectly, in sun-shine or in shade,
“Of this sweet world, to us so kindly given,
“For our abode and joy, by bounteous heaven;
“To search it out, with willing feet, prepare,
“And be thou wise as lovely, free as fair.
“But, oh! my best delight! receive from me
“Caution most kind. Yon interdicted Tree,
“Shun, as thou prizest life! Approach not near!
“Behold it not! Upon thy cheek, a tear
“Sits trembling. Have I err'd? How sweet to see
“Forgiveness, and the smile of charity!”
Eve, to her lord, gently her hand extends,
Then, with a look that whisper'd, we are friends,
Upon the lonely course, her footstep bends;
Whilst Adam, by the noon-tide ray opprest,
Slow on a bed of roses sinks to rest.
“And o'er my passive sense steals silently
“The power of sleep. If aught thou hast survey'd
“Imperfectly, in sun-shine or in shade,
“Of this sweet world, to us so kindly given,
“For our abode and joy, by bounteous heaven;
“To search it out, with willing feet, prepare,
“And be thou wise as lovely, free as fair.
“But, oh! my best delight! receive from me
29
“Shun, as thou prizest life! Approach not near!
“Behold it not! Upon thy cheek, a tear
“Sits trembling. Have I err'd? How sweet to see
“Forgiveness, and the smile of charity!”
Eve, to her lord, gently her hand extends,
Then, with a look that whisper'd, we are friends,
Upon the lonely course, her footstep bends;
Whilst Adam, by the noon-tide ray opprest,
Slow on a bed of roses sinks to rest.
Thro' winding walks, with moss and flowers o'erspread,
While fruits around their spicy fragrance shed,
And visions of delight before her danced,
With fairy foot, our Mother, Eve, advanced.
No doubt of secret harm, no fear was there,
Where danger was unknown. From every care,
Free, as from ill, she paced her lonely way,
Now plucking as she past th' encumbering spray
That moved her tresses; now, a moment's space,
Turning aside, to give some bower a grace
From the luxuriant tendril. Lo! she came,
Unwittingly, to th' Tree of fearful name,
Of Knowledge, Good and Evil! As she spied
The tempting bough, deck'd with its clustering pride,
She turned away, instinctive, when she spake,
“Why should I fear to view it? For our sake,
“All things were made. Enough it is to shun
“The taste forbidden; but to be undone
“For gazing, that were penalty, severe,
“Unworthy of our Maker.”
While fruits around their spicy fragrance shed,
And visions of delight before her danced,
With fairy foot, our Mother, Eve, advanced.
No doubt of secret harm, no fear was there,
Where danger was unknown. From every care,
Free, as from ill, she paced her lonely way,
Now plucking as she past th' encumbering spray
That moved her tresses; now, a moment's space,
Turning aside, to give some bower a grace
From the luxuriant tendril. Lo! she came,
Unwittingly, to th' Tree of fearful name,
30
The tempting bough, deck'd with its clustering pride,
She turned away, instinctive, when she spake,
“Why should I fear to view it? For our sake,
“All things were made. Enough it is to shun
“The taste forbidden; but to be undone
“For gazing, that were penalty, severe,
“Unworthy of our Maker.”
Drawing near,
She mark'd the luscious fruit, a sight more fair,
Than Eden, else, could boast, beyond compare
In colour, shape, and fragrance—form'd to shine,
Where all arose in excellence divine.
Beholding thus, a Serpent, e'en the same!
From tufts of fragrant shrubs, unbidden, came,
Beauteous, as when the morn unveils her face.
Eve joyous view'd, for such transcendent grace,
Till then she saw not—such unearthly dyes
Of rain-bow hue, such meek and speaking eyes;
And when she saw, with what sweet gentleness,
The flower-bespangled grass it seem'd to press,
The Serpent, in her thoughts, obtain'd a place,
Higher than might beseem so mean a race.
Slowly, his dazzling crest, from earth he rais'd,
And, whilst with new delight our Mother gazed,
Thus, winning, spake.
She mark'd the luscious fruit, a sight more fair,
Than Eden, else, could boast, beyond compare
In colour, shape, and fragrance—form'd to shine,
Where all arose in excellence divine.
Beholding thus, a Serpent, e'en the same!
From tufts of fragrant shrubs, unbidden, came,
Beauteous, as when the morn unveils her face.
Eve joyous view'd, for such transcendent grace,
Till then she saw not—such unearthly dyes
Of rain-bow hue, such meek and speaking eyes;
And when she saw, with what sweet gentleness,
The flower-bespangled grass it seem'd to press,
The Serpent, in her thoughts, obtain'd a place,
Higher than might beseem so mean a race.
Slowly, his dazzling crest, from earth he rais'd,
31
Thus, winning, spake.
“Kindred delight is ours.
“We both have left fair walks, and shady bowers,
“To view this Tree, all beauteous, rising high
“Above its fellows round in majesty,
“And teeming with such fruit as might entice
“Angels, for earth, to leave their paradise.”
“We both have left fair walks, and shady bowers,
“To view this Tree, all beauteous, rising high
“Above its fellows round in majesty,
“And teeming with such fruit as might entice
“Angels, for earth, to leave their paradise.”
The Woman, at the voice, so sweet and clear,
With undissembled pleasure, paus'd to hear
What more the stranger form might mean to say.
He, gliding up the Tree, from a fair spray,
His speech pursued.
With undissembled pleasure, paus'd to hear
What more the stranger form might mean to say.
He, gliding up the Tree, from a fair spray,
His speech pursued.
“Freely, whate'er is good,
“God hath bestow'd, for pleasure or for food.
“This Tree invites. Taste its delicious fare!”
The Woman trembling spake. “All fruits that are,
“All trees, Creation's widest range may own,
“To us are given, but of this Tree, alone,
“We may not taste, for God, hath said, Most High!
“Ye, in the day ye pluck and eat, shall die!”
“You shall not surely die!” the Serpent spake.
“Why was it shewn, the vain desire to wake?
“And what is death? A blessing! Taste and be,
“As angels, wise; yourself, a Deity!”
Eve look'd again. In newer beauty bright,
It seem'd to stand, awaking fresh delight,
Sweet to the taste, and lovely to the sight.
She pluck'd and ate!
“God hath bestow'd, for pleasure or for food.
“This Tree invites. Taste its delicious fare!”
The Woman trembling spake. “All fruits that are,
“All trees, Creation's widest range may own,
“To us are given, but of this Tree, alone,
“We may not taste, for God, hath said, Most High!
“Ye, in the day ye pluck and eat, shall die!”
“You shall not surely die!” the Serpent spake.
“Why was it shewn, the vain desire to wake?
32
“As angels, wise; yourself, a Deity!”
Eve look'd again. In newer beauty bright,
It seem'd to stand, awaking fresh delight,
Sweet to the taste, and lovely to the sight.
She pluck'd and ate!
A cloud the sun o'ercast!
Amid the pause, sudden, an angry blast
Swept round! Whilst unresolved what this might be,
The Serpent, quick, descended from the Tree,
His rain-bow hues all flown! and from her sight,
Rush'd, rustling by, to seek the shades of night!
Eve trembling stood, now learning first to fear.
She could not pray! She could not drop the tear!
At length she spake. “Whatever woe attend
“Upon this deed, with God no more my friend,
“Adam shall feel the same. On him and me
“One sun shall shine, or joy, or misery.”
When, bold, she rent, heedless of Heaven's command,
A bough, most fair, that, tempting, waved at hand,
And, to her lord, far distant, bore away,
Oh, mournful hour for Man! the fatal spray
Amid the pause, sudden, an angry blast
Swept round! Whilst unresolved what this might be,
The Serpent, quick, descended from the Tree,
His rain-bow hues all flown! and from her sight,
Rush'd, rustling by, to seek the shades of night!
Eve trembling stood, now learning first to fear.
She could not pray! She could not drop the tear!
At length she spake. “Whatever woe attend
“Upon this deed, with God no more my friend,
“Adam shall feel the same. On him and me
“One sun shall shine, or joy, or misery.”
When, bold, she rent, heedless of Heaven's command,
A bough, most fair, that, tempting, waved at hand,
And, to her lord, far distant, bore away,
Oh, mournful hour for Man! the fatal spray
Adam refresh'd by welcome sleep and sweet,
Now, from his odorous bed, uprose, to greet
His blooming Partner—with unwonted haste
Bearing the fruit for him to prize and taste!
Adam, the palsy on his cheek, thus cried,
“Oh! Eve, my joy, my better self, my pride,
“Thou art deceived! Oh! wherefore didst thou stray
“From me, thy best protector? Not to day,
“Shall we our Maker hail!”
33
His blooming Partner—with unwonted haste
Bearing the fruit for him to prize and taste!
Adam, the palsy on his cheek, thus cried,
“Oh! Eve, my joy, my better self, my pride,
“Thou art deceived! Oh! wherefore didst thou stray
“From me, thy best protector? Not to day,
“Shall we our Maker hail!”
The fruit was fair,
And goodly to behold: nor yet aware,
How subtile was temptation, as he spoke,
He look'd again. The secret wish awoke!
Backward he starts! Eve nearer came and cried,
“Shall different states our mutual loves divide?”
Adam once more beheld! On God he thought,
His threatnings, then, to pleasure, dearly bought,
Gave up his heart, and, with the struggle great,
From Eve, the Fruit forbidden, took and ate!
And goodly to behold: nor yet aware,
How subtile was temptation, as he spoke,
He look'd again. The secret wish awoke!
Backward he starts! Eve nearer came and cried,
“Shall different states our mutual loves divide?”
Adam once more beheld! On God he thought,
His threatnings, then, to pleasure, dearly bought,
Gave up his heart, and, with the struggle great,
From Eve, the Fruit forbidden, took and ate!
Amid the scene, while evening, beaming mild,
O'er happy Eden, linger'd long, and smiled,
Jehovah, as the cool, refreshing breeze
Swept the last fragrance from the bowers and trees,
Walk'd forth, concealing thus his majesty,
In shape that human eye might dare to see.
“Adam!” he call'd. Not prompt, as erst, to share
Sweet converse, and the sight of God to bear,
Adam the voice, regardless, heard, and cried
To Eve, the still companion of his side,
“With both complete in joy, a third obtrudes:
“None else we seek in these sweet solitudes.”
Once more, his Maker call'd! Adam obey'd,
And left, with Eve, the thicket's twilight shade.
Jehovah spake. “Why from my sight retire?”
Quick in reply thus answer'd our First Sire.
“Naked we were, and as might seemly be
“From every eye retired, from light, from thee.”
Whilst now our Parents fain their face would hide,
With searching eye, Jehovah thus replied.
“Who told thee thou wast naked? Not till now
“That thought opprest. The forms that round thee bow,
“Know nought of shame. Insect, or bird, or brute—
“Hast thou dared taste of the Forbidden Fruit?”
For the first time the kindling blush arose!
And whilst around the vacant eye he throws,
Trembling, our Father spake. “With sight so sweet,
“The Woman tempted me and I did eat.”
Eve upward look'd, the tear upon her cheek,
And answer'd thus, with faltering voice and meek,
“The Serpent me beguiled.”—By power supreme,
Like evening in her last departing beam,
The Serpent, shorn of beauty, glided fast
To where they stood. Th' Almighty round him, cast
The look severe, which made each spirit quake,
When to the abject Serpent thus he spake.
(So alter'd now, and hideous, that, at sight
Of thing so vile, Eve started in affright!)
“Hast thou, Oh! form debas'd! with impious aim,
“Fill'd this once-happy Pair, with guilt and shame?
“The lasting enmity henceforth shall reign,
“Between thy seed and theirs, 'till one is slain.
“Prepare to meet Jehovah's fiercest frown!
“Dust shalt thou eat, and curses weigh thee down.
O'er happy Eden, linger'd long, and smiled,
Jehovah, as the cool, refreshing breeze
Swept the last fragrance from the bowers and trees,
Walk'd forth, concealing thus his majesty,
34
“Adam!” he call'd. Not prompt, as erst, to share
Sweet converse, and the sight of God to bear,
Adam the voice, regardless, heard, and cried
To Eve, the still companion of his side,
“With both complete in joy, a third obtrudes:
“None else we seek in these sweet solitudes.”
Once more, his Maker call'd! Adam obey'd,
And left, with Eve, the thicket's twilight shade.
Jehovah spake. “Why from my sight retire?”
Quick in reply thus answer'd our First Sire.
“Naked we were, and as might seemly be
“From every eye retired, from light, from thee.”
Whilst now our Parents fain their face would hide,
With searching eye, Jehovah thus replied.
“Who told thee thou wast naked? Not till now
“That thought opprest. The forms that round thee bow,
“Know nought of shame. Insect, or bird, or brute—
“Hast thou dared taste of the Forbidden Fruit?”
For the first time the kindling blush arose!
And whilst around the vacant eye he throws,
Trembling, our Father spake. “With sight so sweet,
“The Woman tempted me and I did eat.”
35
And answer'd thus, with faltering voice and meek,
“The Serpent me beguiled.”—By power supreme,
Like evening in her last departing beam,
The Serpent, shorn of beauty, glided fast
To where they stood. Th' Almighty round him, cast
The look severe, which made each spirit quake,
When to the abject Serpent thus he spake.
(So alter'd now, and hideous, that, at sight
Of thing so vile, Eve started in affright!)
“Hast thou, Oh! form debas'd! with impious aim,
“Fill'd this once-happy Pair, with guilt and shame?
“The lasting enmity henceforth shall reign,
“Between thy seed and theirs, 'till one is slain.
“Prepare to meet Jehovah's fiercest frown!
“Dust shalt thou eat, and curses weigh thee down.
“Oh! Man! thy lot was privileged and fair:
“Bless'd with each good, beneath thy Maker's care,
“From morn to night, in one perpetual round,
“The kin of angels, joy thy moments crown'd:
“For all the homage wide Creation paid,
“Herself, like thee, in form divine, array'd!
“For intercourse with me, thy God! before
“Whom Cherubs bend and Seraphim adore,
“One only law was mine; that thou hast spurn'd,
“And willingly from Life Immortal turn'd!
“Oh! miserable being! On thy race,
“Death, and disease long-lengthen'd, and disgrace,
“Thou hast entail'd! A fire that long shall burn!
“Dust as thou art, to dust shalt thou return!
“Bless'd with each good, beneath thy Maker's care,
“From morn to night, in one perpetual round,
“The kin of angels, joy thy moments crown'd:
“For all the homage wide Creation paid,
“Herself, like thee, in form divine, array'd!
“For intercourse with me, thy God! before
“Whom Cherubs bend and Seraphim adore,
36
“And willingly from Life Immortal turn'd!
“Oh! miserable being! On thy race,
“Death, and disease long-lengthen'd, and disgrace,
“Thou hast entail'd! A fire that long shall burn!
“Dust as thou art, to dust shalt thou return!
“Woman! regard thy sentence. Wise, too late!
“How art thou fall'n! from what high estate!
“Thou shalt bring forth in sorrow! Grief and pain,
“O'er thee, and o'er thy offspring, shall maintain
“The universal empire! But, oh! Eve!
“Mother of disobedience! still to leave
“One glimpse of joy, nor cast thee, without care,
“On the wide world, to anguish and despair,
“Tho' thy Seeds' heel be bruised, hope is not fled:
“Thy Seed, at length, shall crush the Serpent's head!
“And while thy Faith a distant Saviour views,
“Hail the first dawn of Grace. Oh! prone to choose
“Evil for good!—this garden of delight
“Must never more refresh your mortal sight!”
Thus having said, Jehovah, (whilst dismay,
And fear, supreme, on our First Parents prey,)
Upon the whirlwind rising, past away!
“How art thou fall'n! from what high estate!
“Thou shalt bring forth in sorrow! Grief and pain,
“O'er thee, and o'er thy offspring, shall maintain
“The universal empire! But, oh! Eve!
“Mother of disobedience! still to leave
“One glimpse of joy, nor cast thee, without care,
“On the wide world, to anguish and despair,
“Tho' thy Seeds' heel be bruised, hope is not fled:
“Thy Seed, at length, shall crush the Serpent's head!
“And while thy Faith a distant Saviour views,
“Hail the first dawn of Grace. Oh! prone to choose
“Evil for good!—this garden of delight
“Must never more refresh your mortal sight!”
Thus having said, Jehovah, (whilst dismay,
And fear, supreme, on our First Parents prey,)
Upon the whirlwind rising, past away!
37
The sun that late the western concave cheer'd
Now, veil'd with clouds of dusky grey, appear'd.
The winds impetuous rose! The leaves around,
With flowers disshevell'd strew'd the restless ground!
Wide Gihon heaved his billows; when the night
Fell black and heavy! Gazing, with affright,
The hapless Pair stood motionless, and heard—
Starting! the howl of beast! the screech of bird!
The tumult of the elements enraged,
When cloud with cloud, and blast with blast, engaged!
Amid the fearful storm, a flame they spy,
And in the midst, a Spirit from the sky!
Wielding the sword of fire! Approaching near,
Whilst terror, conscious guilt, and tortuous fear
Opprest our Fallen Parents, thus he spake.
“From joy supreme! from heavenly bliss, awake!
“The judgment is gone forth, and this retreat,
“This lap of happiness, and influence sweet,
“This Paradise, henceforth must you forego,
“And earn your bitter bread, with toil and woe!
“To you the full of good was freely given,
“And for your fall, tears have been shed in heaven!
“Go forth!”
Now, veil'd with clouds of dusky grey, appear'd.
The winds impetuous rose! The leaves around,
With flowers disshevell'd strew'd the restless ground!
Wide Gihon heaved his billows; when the night
Fell black and heavy! Gazing, with affright,
The hapless Pair stood motionless, and heard—
Starting! the howl of beast! the screech of bird!
The tumult of the elements enraged,
When cloud with cloud, and blast with blast, engaged!
Amid the fearful storm, a flame they spy,
And in the midst, a Spirit from the sky!
Wielding the sword of fire! Approaching near,
Whilst terror, conscious guilt, and tortuous fear
Opprest our Fallen Parents, thus he spake.
“From joy supreme! from heavenly bliss, awake!
“The judgment is gone forth, and this retreat,
“This lap of happiness, and influence sweet,
“This Paradise, henceforth must you forego,
“And earn your bitter bread, with toil and woe!
“To you the full of good was freely given,
“And for your fall, tears have been shed in heaven!
“Go forth!”
38
The Sire of Men, and Eve, beside,
Surrounded by supernal light, stretch'd wide,
Till melting into darkness, pensive stray,
Thro' Eden's well-known walks, a toilsome way!
'Mid paths where late they loved the prayer to pour,
And by the bowers that fragrance yield no more!
Surrounded by supernal light, stretch'd wide,
Till melting into darkness, pensive stray,
Thro' Eden's well-known walks, a toilsome way!
'Mid paths where late they loved the prayer to pour,
And by the bowers that fragrance yield no more!
As now they Eden left, and mournful sigh'd,
Slow from his orient bed, in all his pride,
The ample sun uprose, and o'er the scene,
That shone with sweeter hues, and fresher green,
His richest radiance spread. The hapless Pair,
With toil alike o'ercome, opprest with care,
Paused, and, before the loved abode they past,
Stood thoughtful. Now a backward glance they cast
Upon their home, thus forfeited, so fair!
So tranquil and effulgent! Unaware,
The tear burst forth, when Adam faltering spake.
“My last farewell, oh! place, belovēd, take!
“Farewell, ye flowers, with every dye o'erspread
“Farewell, ye trees, that heavenly odours shed!
“Farewell, ye shady walks, ye bowers serene,
“Ye hills, from which we traced each goodly scene!
“Farewell, sweet Paradise! and, oh! farewell,
“The presence of our Maker! Grief may swell
“To anguish, and unutterable pain,
“When the rack'd spirit seeks for peace in vain,
“But what shall tears avail, shed evermore,
“And what, oh! what, the smile of heaven restore!”
Slow from his orient bed, in all his pride,
The ample sun uprose, and o'er the scene,
That shone with sweeter hues, and fresher green,
His richest radiance spread. The hapless Pair,
With toil alike o'ercome, opprest with care,
Paused, and, before the loved abode they past,
Stood thoughtful. Now a backward glance they cast
Upon their home, thus forfeited, so fair!
So tranquil and effulgent! Unaware,
The tear burst forth, when Adam faltering spake.
“My last farewell, oh! place, belovēd, take!
“Farewell, ye flowers, with every dye o'erspread
“Farewell, ye trees, that heavenly odours shed!
“Farewell, ye shady walks, ye bowers serene,
“Ye hills, from which we traced each goodly scene!
39
“The presence of our Maker! Grief may swell
“To anguish, and unutterable pain,
“When the rack'd spirit seeks for peace in vain,
“But what shall tears avail, shed evermore,
“And what, oh! what, the smile of heaven restore!”
Thus having said, with trembling step and slow,
Roses for thorns exchanged, oppress'd with woe,
Adam and Eve, alone, no rest in view,
From happiness, from God, their way pursue!
Roses for thorns exchanged, oppress'd with woe,
Adam and Eve, alone, no rest in view,
From happiness, from God, their way pursue!
| Messiah | |