"Thou seest; foul missionaries of foul sire, "Fierce to regain the losses of that hour "When Love rose glittering, and his gorgeous wings "Over the abyss flutter'd with such glad noise, "With slimy shapes and miscreated life "Sent forth, when she the PROTOPLAST beheld “Of Darkness.palpable, Desart of Death "As thro' the dark vaults of some moulder'd Tower "(Which, fearful to approach, the evening Hind "Circles at distance in his homeward way) "The winds breathe hollow, deem'd the plaining groan "Of prison'd spirits; with such fearful voice "NIGHT murmur'd, and the sound thro' Chaos went. "Leapt at her call her hideous-fronted brood! "A dark behest they heard, and rush'd on earth, "Since that sad hour, in Camps and Courts adored, "Rebels from God, and Monarchs o'er Mankind! From his obscure haunt Shriek'd FEAR, of Cruelty the ghastly Dam, "Even so" (the exulting Maiden said) "The sainted Heralds of Good Tidings fell, "And thus they witness'd God! But now the clouds "Treading, and storms beneath their feet, they soar "Higher, and higher soar, and soaring sing "Loud songs of Triumph! O ye spirits of God, "Hover around my mortal agonies!" She spake, and instantly faint melody Melts on her ear, soothing and sad, and slow, Foretell and solace death; and now they rise At length awakening slow, she gazed around: Still thinning as she gaz'd, an Isle appear'd, Stretch'd opposite, where ever and anon * Revel. vi. 9, 11. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And white robes were given unto every one of them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. The Plough-man following sad his meagre team And heal'd the recent harm of chill and blight, But soon a deep precursive sound moan'd hollow: Black rose the clouds, and now, (as in a dream) Their reddening shapes, transform'd to Warrior-hosts, Cours'd o'er the Sky, and battled in mid-air. Nor did not the large blood-drops fall from Heaven Portentous! while aloft were seen to float, Like hideous features blended with the clouds, Then o'er the plain with oft reverted eye Fled till a Place of Tombs she reach'd, and there Found Hiding-place. The delegated Maid Gaz'd thro' her tears, then in sad tones exclaim'd, "Thou mild-ey'd FORM! wherefore, ah! wherefore fied? "The name of JUSTICE written on thy brow "Resplendent shone; but all they, who unblam'd "Dwelt in thy dwellings, call thee HAPPINESS. "Ah! why, uninjured and unprofited, "Should multitudes against their brethren rush? "Why sow they guilt, still reaping Misery? "Lenient of care, thy songs, O PEACE! are sweet, "As after showers the perfumed gale of eve, "That flings the cool drops on a feverous cheek: "And gay thy grassy altar pil'd with fruits. "But boasts the shrine of Dæmon WAR one charm, "Save that with many an orgie strange and foul, "Dancing around with interwoven arms, "The Maniac SUICIDE and Giant MURDER |