University of Virginia Library

The Judgment of Uriel

[A large hall open to the sky. Michael is seated on a throne. Before him kneel The rebel angels in complete armour. Uriel stands haughtily on one side.]
Angels.
Have mercy, Michael, we that sinned repent.

Mi.
Before such sin as yours, even mercy fades,
As fades the glory from your drooping wings.
The grace ye ask, O angels, is denied.

Ur.
Ha, who denies it?

Mi.
I do, in the name
And with the will of Him who sent me here.

Ur.
But art thou sent?

Mi.
I am.

Ur.
I know not that.

Mi.
Nay; if ye doubt that I am sent by Him,
Demand what sign ye please; it shall be given.

Ur.
Will he refuse no sign that we may ask?

Mi.
None.

Ur.
Let the self-same fire, then, fall from heaven,
Of which the eternal coronet is wrought,
And diadem my brow. So shall I stand
God-crowned, and with a God co-sov'reign God,
The lord of evil I, as he of good.

Mi.
Ah! angel, who can wear God's crown but God?

Ur.
The enemy of God. Do thou my will.

Mi.
What dost thou see?

Ur.
I see the heavens unfold,
And from their dazzling clefts a sunlike flame
Falls and still falls, till, taking shape, it grows,
To likeness of the eternal diadem,
And clasps my brow. I see—

Mi.
Thou feel'st a crown
Woven of scarlet flames, that twist and flow
About thy branded brow. Why dost thou start,
And look up to the heavens, as one struck blind?

Ur.
What, is there no one will put out that fire?
Oh put it out; let it not reach the sky.
Ah! me. The angry drops of blood-red flame
Fall thickly from the warring firmament.
The hail smites sharply, and the wailing winds
Sound through the thunder. 'T is a fearful night!
I thirst! I thirst! There is a lake afar,
A lake of cool fresh water, far away.
Give me one drop to cool my fiery tongue.
Oh take this burning circle off my head!
Indeed, I do not wish to be a king.
It is so sad, so sad, to be alone.
I had a dream, and in my dream I thought
There was an angel once who would be God.
'T was a presumptuous wish to climb so high.
Ah me! the clouds roll off. I see a star
That swims in the grey distance, and I feel
The fresh breath of the vigorous morning air.
It is the sun I see, and not a star.
It is the day. I am glad it was a dream.
I had forgotten you were waiting here.
Go, tell your master that I feel his power,
But will not own it. I, too, am a king,
And thus I fold me in my kingliness.

Mi.
I see thee stand and gather up thy robe,
That starts away like some full sail at sea,
By sudden wind inflated. Yet no wind
Is here to lift it, but a whirling flame
Catches the struggling folds with violent grasp.
Now darkness falls, but still I see thee stand
With burning diadem on wasted brows,
And robes from which the fiery flakes fall fast
Drifting against thy angel limbs. Behold
The judgment of the rebel Uriel.