Joan of Arc (Southey)/Book 9
JOAN of ARC.
BOOK THE NINTH.
ARGUMENT.
Vision of the Maid.
JOAN of ARC.
BOOK THE NINTH.
Orleans was hush'd in sleep. Stretch'd on her couch
The delegated Maiden lay: with toil
Exhausted and sore anguish. Soon she closed
Her heavy eye-lids; not reposing then,
For busy Phantasy, in other scenes 5
Awakened: whether that superior powers,
By wise permission, prompt the midnight dream,
Or that the soul, escaped its fleshly clog,
Flies free, and soars amid the invisible world,
And all things are that seem. 10
Along a heath,
Barren, and wide, and drear, and desolate,
She roam'd a wanderer thro' the cheerless night.
Black clouds, driven fast before the stormy wind,
Swept shadowing; thro' their broken folds the moon
Struggled sometimes with transitory ray, 15
And made the moving darkness, visible.
And now arrived beside a fenny lake
She stands: amid its stagnate waters, hoarse
The thick sedge rustled to the gales of night,
And loud was heard the Bittern's mournful cry. 20
An age-worn bark receives the Maid, impell'd
By powers unseen; then did the moon display
Where thro' the crazy vessel's yawning side
Rush'd in the muddy wave: a female guides
And spreads the sail before the wind, that moan'd 25
As melancholy mournful to her ear,
As ever by the dungeon'd wretch was heard
Howling at evening round the embattled towers
Of that hell-house[1] of France, ere yet sublime
The Almighty people from their tyrant's hand 30
Dash'd down the iron rod.
Intent the Maid
Gazed on the pilot's form, and as she gazed
Shiver'd, for wan her face was, and her eyes
Hollow, and her sunk cheeks were furrowed deep,
Channell'd by tears; a few grey locks hung down 35
Beneath her hood: then thro' the Maiden's veins
Chill crept the blood; for, as the night-breeze pass'd,
Lifting her tatter'd mantle, coil'd around,
She saw a serpent gnawing at her heart.
The delegated Maiden lay: with toil
Exhausted and sore anguish. Soon she closed
Her heavy eye-lids; not reposing then,
For busy Phantasy, in other scenes 5
Awakened: whether that superior powers,
By wise permission, prompt the midnight dream,
Or that the soul, escaped its fleshly clog,
Flies free, and soars amid the invisible world,
And all things are that seem. 10
Along a heath,
Barren, and wide, and drear, and desolate,
She roam'd a wanderer thro' the cheerless night.
Black clouds, driven fast before the stormy wind,
Swept shadowing; thro' their broken folds the moon
Struggled sometimes with transitory ray, 15
And made the moving darkness, visible.
And now arrived beside a fenny lake
She stands: amid its stagnate waters, hoarse
The thick sedge rustled to the gales of night,
And loud was heard the Bittern's mournful cry. 20
An age-worn bark receives the Maid, impell'd
By powers unseen; then did the moon display
Where thro' the crazy vessel's yawning side
Rush'd in the muddy wave: a female guides
And spreads the sail before the wind, that moan'd 25
As melancholy mournful to her ear,
As ever by the dungeon'd wretch was heard
Howling at evening round the embattled towers
Of that hell-house[1] of France, ere yet sublime
The Almighty people from their tyrant's hand 30
Dash'd down the iron rod.
Intent the Maid
Gazed on the pilot's form, and as she gazed
Shiver'd, for wan her face was, and her eyes
Hollow, and her sunk cheeks were furrowed deep,
Channell'd by tears; a few grey locks hung down 35
Beneath her hood: then thro' the Maiden's veins
Chill crept the blood; for, as the night-breeze pass'd,
Lifting her tatter'd mantle, coil'd around,
She saw a serpent gnawing at her heart.
The plumeless Bat with short shrill note flits by, 40
And the night-raven's scream came fitfully,
Borne on the hollow blast. Eager the Maid
Look'd to the shore, and now upon the bank
Leaps, joyful to escape, yet trembling still
In recollection.
There, a mouldering pile 45
Stretch'd its wide ruins, o'er the plain below
Casting a gloomy shade, save where the moon
Shone thro' its fretted windows: the dark Yew,
Withering with age, branched there its naked roots,
And there the melancholy Cypress rear'd 50
Its head: the earth was heaved with many a mound,
And here and there a half-demolish'd tomb.
And the night-raven's scream came fitfully,
Borne on the hollow blast. Eager the Maid
Look'd to the shore, and now upon the bank
Leaps, joyful to escape, yet trembling still
In recollection.
There, a mouldering pile 45
Stretch'd its wide ruins, o'er the plain below
Casting a gloomy shade, save where the moon
Shone thro' its fretted windows: the dark Yew,
Withering with age, branched there its naked roots,
And there the melancholy Cypress rear'd 50
Its head: the earth was heaved with many a mound,
And here and there a half-demolish'd tomb.
And now, amid the ruin's darkest shade,
The Virgin's eye beheld where pale blue flames
Rose wavering, now just gleaming from the earth, 55
And now in darkness drown'd. An aged Man
Sat near, seated on what in long-past days
Had been some sculptured monument, now fall'n
And half-obscur'd by moss, and gathered heaps
Of withered yew-leaves and earth-mouldering bones: 60
And shining in the ray was seen the track
Of slimy snail obscene. Composed his look,
His eye was large and ray less, and fix'd full
Upon the Maid; the blue flames on his face
Stream'd a drear light; his face was of the hue 65
Of death: his limbs were mantled in a shroud.
Then with a deep heart-terrifying voice,
Exclaim'd the Spectre, "Welcome to these realms,
These regions of Despair! O thou whose steps
By Grief conducted to these sad abodes 70
Have pierc'd; welcome, welcome to this gloom
Eternal; to this everlasting night;
Where never morning darts the enlivening ray,
Where never shines the sun, but all is dark,
Dark as the bosom of their gloomy King!" 75
The Virgin's eye beheld where pale blue flames
Rose wavering, now just gleaming from the earth, 55
And now in darkness drown'd. An aged Man
Sat near, seated on what in long-past days
Had been some sculptured monument, now fall'n
And half-obscur'd by moss, and gathered heaps
Of withered yew-leaves and earth-mouldering bones: 60
And shining in the ray was seen the track
Of slimy snail obscene. Composed his look,
His eye was large and ray less, and fix'd full
Upon the Maid; the blue flames on his face
Stream'd a drear light; his face was of the hue 65
Of death: his limbs were mantled in a shroud.
Then with a deep heart-terrifying voice,
Exclaim'd the Spectre, "Welcome to these realms,
These regions of Despair! O thou whose steps
By Grief conducted to these sad abodes 70
Have pierc'd; welcome, welcome to this gloom
Eternal; to this everlasting night;
Where never morning darts the enlivening ray,
Where never shines the sun, but all is dark,
Dark as the bosom of their gloomy King!" 75
So saying he arose, and by the hand
The Virgin seized with such a death-cold touch
As froze her very heart; and drawing on,
Her, to the abbey's inner ruin, led
Resistless: thro' the broken roof the moon 80
Glimmer'd a scatter'd ray: the ivy twin'd
Round the dismantled column: imaged forms
Of Saints and warlike Chiefs, moss-canker'd now
And mutilate, lay strewn upon the ground;
With crumbled fragments, crucifixes fallen, 85
And rusted trophies; and amid the heap
Some monument's defaced legend spake,
All human glory vain.
The loud blast roar'd
Amid the pile; and from the tower the owl
Scream'd as the tempest shook her secret nest. 90
He, silent, led her on, and often paus'd,
And pointed, that her eye might contemplate
At leisure the drear scene.
He dragged her on
Thro' a low iron door, down broken stairs;
Then a cold horror thro' the Maiden's frame 95
Crept, for she stood amid a vault, and saw,
By the sepulchral lamp's dim glaring light,
The fragments of the dead.
"Look here!" he cried,
"Damsel, look here! survey this house of Death;
O soon to tenant it! soon to increase 100
These trophies of mortality! for hence
Is no return! Gaze here! behold this skull!
These eyeless sockets, and these unflesh'd jaws,
That with their ghastly grinning, seem to mock
Thy perishable charms; for thus thy cheek 105
Must moulder! Child of Grief! shrinks not thy soul,
Viewing these horrors? trembles not thy heart
At the dread thought, that here its life's-blood soon
Shall stagnate, and the finely-fibred frame,
Now warm in life and feeling, mingle soon 110
With the cold clod? a thought most horrible!
So only, dreadful, for reality
Is none of suffering here; here all is peace;
No nerve will throb to anguish in the grave.
Dreadful it is to think of losing life, 115
But having lost, knowledge of loss is not
Therefore no ill. Haste, Maiden, to repose;
Probe deep the seat of life.
So spake Despair.
The vaulted roof echoed his hollow voice,
And all again was silence. Quick her heart 120
Panted. He drew a dagger from his breast,
And cried again, "Haste Damsel to repose!
One blow, and rest for ever!" On the Fiend
Dark scowl'd the Virgin with indignant eye,
And dash'd the dagger down. He next his heart 125
Replaced the murderous steel, and drew the Maid
Along the downward vault.
The damp earth gave
A dim sound as they pass'd: the tainted air
Was cold, and heavy with unwholesome dews.
"Behold!" the fiend exclaim'd, "how gradual here 130
The fleshly burden of mortality
Moulders to clay!" then fixing his broad eye
Full on her face, he pointed where a corpse
Lay livid; she beheld with loathing look,
The spectacle abhorr'd by living man. 135
The Virgin seized with such a death-cold touch
As froze her very heart; and drawing on,
Her, to the abbey's inner ruin, led
Resistless: thro' the broken roof the moon 80
Glimmer'd a scatter'd ray: the ivy twin'd
Round the dismantled column: imaged forms
Of Saints and warlike Chiefs, moss-canker'd now
And mutilate, lay strewn upon the ground;
With crumbled fragments, crucifixes fallen, 85
And rusted trophies; and amid the heap
Some monument's defaced legend spake,
All human glory vain.
The loud blast roar'd
Amid the pile; and from the tower the owl
Scream'd as the tempest shook her secret nest. 90
He, silent, led her on, and often paus'd,
And pointed, that her eye might contemplate
At leisure the drear scene.
He dragged her on
Thro' a low iron door, down broken stairs;
Then a cold horror thro' the Maiden's frame 95
Crept, for she stood amid a vault, and saw,
By the sepulchral lamp's dim glaring light,
The fragments of the dead.
"Look here!" he cried,
"Damsel, look here! survey this house of Death;
O soon to tenant it! soon to increase 100
These trophies of mortality! for hence
Is no return! Gaze here! behold this skull!
These eyeless sockets, and these unflesh'd jaws,
That with their ghastly grinning, seem to mock
Thy perishable charms; for thus thy cheek 105
Must moulder! Child of Grief! shrinks not thy soul,
Viewing these horrors? trembles not thy heart
At the dread thought, that here its life's-blood soon
Shall stagnate, and the finely-fibred frame,
Now warm in life and feeling, mingle soon 110
With the cold clod? a thought most horrible!
So only, dreadful, for reality
Is none of suffering here; here all is peace;
No nerve will throb to anguish in the grave.
Dreadful it is to think of losing life, 115
But having lost, knowledge of loss is not
Therefore no ill. Haste, Maiden, to repose;
Probe deep the seat of life.
So spake Despair.
The vaulted roof echoed his hollow voice,
And all again was silence. Quick her heart 120
Panted. He drew a dagger from his breast,
And cried again, "Haste Damsel to repose!
One blow, and rest for ever!" On the Fiend
Dark scowl'd the Virgin with indignant eye,
And dash'd the dagger down. He next his heart 125
Replaced the murderous steel, and drew the Maid
Along the downward vault.
The damp earth gave
A dim sound as they pass'd: the tainted air
Was cold, and heavy with unwholesome dews.
"Behold!" the fiend exclaim'd, "how gradual here 130
The fleshly burden of mortality
Moulders to clay!" then fixing his broad eye
Full on her face, he pointed where a corpse
Lay livid; she beheld with loathing look,
The spectacle abhorr'd by living man. 135
"Look here!" Despair pursued, "this loathsome mass
Was once as lovely, and as full of life
As, Damsel! thou art now. Those deep-sunk eyes
Once beam'd the mild light of intelligence,
And where thou seest the pamper'd flesh-worm trail, 140
Once the white bosom heaved. She fondly thought
That at the hallowed altar, soon the Priest
Should bless her coming union, and the torch,
Its joyful lustre o'er the hall of joy,
Cast on her nuptial evening: earth to earth 145
That Priest consign'd her, and the funeral lamp
Glares on her cold face; for her lover went,
By glory lur'd to war, and perish'd there;
Nor she endur'd to live. Ha! fades thy cheek?
Dost thou then, Maiden, tremble at the tale? 150
Look here! behold the youthful paramour!
The self-devoted hero!"
Fearfully
The Maid look'd down, and saw the well known face
Of—Theodore! in thoughts unspeakable,
Convulsed with horror, o'er her face she clasp'd 155
Her cold damp hands: "Shrink not," the Phantom cried,
"Gaze on! for ever gaze!" more firm he grasp'd
Her quiv'ring arm: "this lifeless mouldering clay,
As well thou know'st, was warm with all the glow
Of Youth and Love! this is the arm that cleaved 160
Salisbury's proud crest, now motionless in Death,
Unable to protect the ravaged frame
From the foul Offspring of Mortality
That feed on heroes. Tho' long years were thine,
Yet never more would life reanimate 165
This murdered man: murdered by thee! for thou
Didst lead him to the battle from his home,
Else living there in peace to good old age:
In thy defence he died: strike deep—destroy
Remorse with Life."
The Maid stood motionless, 170
And wistless what she did, with trembling hand
Received the dagger. Starting then, she cried,
"Avaunt Despair! Eternal Wisdom deals
Or peace to man, or misery, for his good
Alike design'd; and shall the Creature cry, 175
Why hast thou done this?" and with impious pride
"Destroy the life God gave?" the Fiend rejoin'd:
And thou dost deem it impious to destroy
The life God gave? What, Maiden, is the lot
Assign'd to mortal man? born but to drag, 180
Thro' Life's long pilgrimage, the wearying load
Of Being; care-corroded at the heart;
Assail'd by all the numerous train of ills
That flesh inherits; till at length worn out,
This is his consummation! think again: 185
What, Maiden, canst thou hope from lengthen'd life
But lengthen'd sorrow? If protracted long,
Till on the bed of Death thy feeble limbs
Outstretch their languid length? Oh think what thoughts,
What agonizing woes, in that dread hour, 190
Assail the sinking heart! slow beats the pulse!
Dim grows the eye, and clammy drops bedew
The shuddering frame; then in its mightiest force,
Mightiest in impotence, the love of life
Shall seize the throbbing heart—the faltering lips 195
Pour out the impious prayer, that fain would change
The Immutable's decree—surrounding friends
Sob round the sufferer—wet his cheek with tears,
And all he loved in life embitters death!
Was once as lovely, and as full of life
As, Damsel! thou art now. Those deep-sunk eyes
Once beam'd the mild light of intelligence,
And where thou seest the pamper'd flesh-worm trail, 140
Once the white bosom heaved. She fondly thought
That at the hallowed altar, soon the Priest
Should bless her coming union, and the torch,
Its joyful lustre o'er the hall of joy,
Cast on her nuptial evening: earth to earth 145
That Priest consign'd her, and the funeral lamp
Glares on her cold face; for her lover went,
By glory lur'd to war, and perish'd there;
Nor she endur'd to live. Ha! fades thy cheek?
Dost thou then, Maiden, tremble at the tale? 150
Look here! behold the youthful paramour!
The self-devoted hero!"
Fearfully
The Maid look'd down, and saw the well known face
Of—Theodore! in thoughts unspeakable,
Convulsed with horror, o'er her face she clasp'd 155
Her cold damp hands: "Shrink not," the Phantom cried,
"Gaze on! for ever gaze!" more firm he grasp'd
Her quiv'ring arm: "this lifeless mouldering clay,
As well thou know'st, was warm with all the glow
Of Youth and Love! this is the arm that cleaved 160
Salisbury's proud crest, now motionless in Death,
Unable to protect the ravaged frame
From the foul Offspring of Mortality
That feed on heroes. Tho' long years were thine,
Yet never more would life reanimate 165
This murdered man: murdered by thee! for thou
Didst lead him to the battle from his home,
Else living there in peace to good old age:
In thy defence he died: strike deep—destroy
Remorse with Life."
The Maid stood motionless, 170
And wistless what she did, with trembling hand
Received the dagger. Starting then, she cried,
"Avaunt Despair! Eternal Wisdom deals
Or peace to man, or misery, for his good
Alike design'd; and shall the Creature cry, 175
Why hast thou done this?" and with impious pride
"Destroy the life God gave?" the Fiend rejoin'd:
And thou dost deem it impious to destroy
The life God gave? What, Maiden, is the lot
Assign'd to mortal man? born but to drag, 180
Thro' Life's long pilgrimage, the wearying load
Of Being; care-corroded at the heart;
Assail'd by all the numerous train of ills
That flesh inherits; till at length worn out,
This is his consummation! think again: 185
What, Maiden, canst thou hope from lengthen'd life
But lengthen'd sorrow? If protracted long,
Till on the bed of Death thy feeble limbs
Outstretch their languid length? Oh think what thoughts,
What agonizing woes, in that dread hour, 190
Assail the sinking heart! slow beats the pulse!
Dim grows the eye, and clammy drops bedew
The shuddering frame; then in its mightiest force,
Mightiest in impotence, the love of life
Shall seize the throbbing heart—the faltering lips 195
Pour out the impious prayer, that fain would change
The Immutable's decree—surrounding friends
Sob round the sufferer—wet his cheek with tears,
And all he loved in life embitters death!
"Such, Maiden, are the pangs that wait the hour 200
Of calmest dissolution! yet weak man
Dares, in his timid piety, to live;
And veiling Fear in Superstition's garb,
He calls it—Resignation!
"Coward wretch!
Fond Coward, thus to make his Reason war 205
Against his Reason! insect as he is,
This sport of Chance! this being of a Day
Whose whole existence the next cloud may blast!
Believes himself the care of heavenly powers,
That God regards Man! miserable Man! 210
And preaching thus of Power and Providence,
Will crush the reptile that may cross his path!
Of calmest dissolution! yet weak man
Dares, in his timid piety, to live;
And veiling Fear in Superstition's garb,
He calls it—Resignation!
"Coward wretch!
Fond Coward, thus to make his Reason war 205
Against his Reason! insect as he is,
This sport of Chance! this being of a Day
Whose whole existence the next cloud may blast!
Believes himself the care of heavenly powers,
That God regards Man! miserable Man! 210
And preaching thus of Power and Providence,
Will crush the reptile that may cross his path!
"Fool that thou art! the Being that permits
Existence, gives to man the worthless boon:
A goodly gift to those who, fortune-blest, 215
Bask in the sunshine of Prosperity,
And such do well to keep it. But to him,
Sick at the heart with misery, and sore
With many a hard unmerited affliction,
It is a hair that chains to wretchedness 220
The slave who dares not burst it!
"Thinkest thou,
The parent, if his child should unrecall'd
Return and fall upon his neck, and cry,[2]
Oh! the wide world is comfortless, and full
Of vacant joys or heart-consuming cares! 225
I can be only happy in my home
With thee—my friend!—my father!" Think'st thou, Maid
That he would thrust him as an outcast forth?
Oh! he would clasp the truant to his heart,
And love the trespass."
Whilst he spake, his eye 230
Dwelt on the Maiden's cheek, and read her soul
Struggling within. In trembling doubt she stood,
Even as the wretch, whose famish'd entrails crave
Supply, before him sees the poison'd food
In greedy horror.
Yet not long the Maid 235
Debated, "Cease thy dangerous sophistry,
Eloquent tempter!" cried she, "gloomy one!
What tho' affliction be my portion here,
Think'st thou I do not feel high thoughts of joy,
Of heart-ennobling joy, when I look back 240
Upon a life of duty well perform'd,
Then lift mine eyes to Heaven, and there in faith
Know my reward? I grant, were this life all;
Was there no morning to the Tomb's long night;
If man did mingle with the senseless clod, 245
Himself as senseless, then wert thou indeed
A wise and friendly comforter! But———Fiend!
There is a morning to the Tomb's long night,
A dawn of glory, a reward in Heaven,
He shall not gain who never merited. 250
If thou didst know the worth of one good deed
In life's last hour, thou would'st not bid me lose
The power to benefit; if I but save
A drowning fly, I shall not live in vain.
I have great duties, Fiend! me France expects, 255
Her heaven-doom'd Champion."
"Maiden, thou hast done
Thy mission here," the unbaffled Fiend replied:
The foes are fled from Orleans: thou, perchance
Exulting in the pride of victory,
Forgettest him who perish'd; yet albeit 260
Thy harden'd heart forget the gallant youth;
That hour allotted, canst thou not escape
That dreadful hour, when Contumely and Shame
Shall sojourn in thy dungeon. Wretched Maid!
Destined to drain the cup of bitterness, 265
Even to its dregs! England's inhuman Chiefs
Shall scoff thy sorrows, black thy spotless fame,
Wit-wanton it with lewd barbarity,
And force such burning blushes to the cheek
Of Virgin modesty, that thou shalt wish 270
The earth might cover thee! in that last hour,
When thy bruis'd breast shall heave beneath the chains
That link thee to the stake; when o'er thy form,
Exposed unmantled, the brute multitude
Shall gaze, and thou shalt hear the ribald taunt, 275
More painful than the circling flames that scorch
Each quivering member; wilt thou not in vain
Then wish my friendly aid? then wish thine ear
Had drank my words of comfort? that thy hand
Had grasp'd the dagger, and in death preserved 280
Insulted modesty?"
Her glowing cheek
Blush'd crimson; her wide eye on vacancy
Was fix'd; her breath short panted. The cold Fiend,
Grasping her hand, exclaim'd, "Too-timid Maid,
So long repugnant to the healing aid 285
My friendship proffers, now shalt thou behold
The allotted length of life."
He stamp'd the earth,
And dragging a huge coffin as his car,
Two Gouls came on, of form more fearful-foul
Than ever palsied in her wildest dream 290
Hag-ridden Superstition. Then Despair
Seiz'd on the Maid, whose curdling blood stood still,
And placed her in the seat; and on they pass'd
Adown the deep descent. A meteor light
Shot from the Dæmons, as they dragg'd along 295
The unwelcome load, and mark'd their brethren glut
On carcasses.
Below the vault dilates
Its ample bulk. "Look here!"———Despair addrest
The shuddering Virgin, "see the dome of Death!"
It was a spacious cavern, hewn amid 300
The entrails of the earth, as tho' to form
The grave of all mankind: no eye could reach,
Tho' gifted with the Eagle's ample ken,
Its distant bounds. There, thron'd in darkness, dwelt
The unseen Power of Death.
Here stopt the Gouls, 305
Reaching the destined spot. The Fiend leapt out,
And from the coffin, as he led the Maid,
Exclaim'd, "Where never yet stood mortal man,
Thou standest: look around this boundless vault;
Observe the dole that Nature deals to man, 310
And learn to know thy friend."
She not replied,
Observing where the Fates their several tasks
Plied ceaseless. "Mark how short the longest web
Allowed to man!" he cried; "observe how soon,
Twin'd round yon never-resting wheel, they change 315
Their snowy hue, darkening thro' many a shade,
Till Atropos relentless shuts the sheers!
Existence, gives to man the worthless boon:
A goodly gift to those who, fortune-blest, 215
Bask in the sunshine of Prosperity,
And such do well to keep it. But to him,
Sick at the heart with misery, and sore
With many a hard unmerited affliction,
It is a hair that chains to wretchedness 220
The slave who dares not burst it!
"Thinkest thou,
The parent, if his child should unrecall'd
Return and fall upon his neck, and cry,[2]
Oh! the wide world is comfortless, and full
Of vacant joys or heart-consuming cares! 225
I can be only happy in my home
With thee—my friend!—my father!" Think'st thou, Maid
That he would thrust him as an outcast forth?
Oh! he would clasp the truant to his heart,
And love the trespass."
Whilst he spake, his eye 230
Dwelt on the Maiden's cheek, and read her soul
Struggling within. In trembling doubt she stood,
Even as the wretch, whose famish'd entrails crave
Supply, before him sees the poison'd food
In greedy horror.
Yet not long the Maid 235
Debated, "Cease thy dangerous sophistry,
Eloquent tempter!" cried she, "gloomy one!
What tho' affliction be my portion here,
Think'st thou I do not feel high thoughts of joy,
Of heart-ennobling joy, when I look back 240
Upon a life of duty well perform'd,
Then lift mine eyes to Heaven, and there in faith
Know my reward? I grant, were this life all;
Was there no morning to the Tomb's long night;
If man did mingle with the senseless clod, 245
Himself as senseless, then wert thou indeed
A wise and friendly comforter! But———Fiend!
There is a morning to the Tomb's long night,
A dawn of glory, a reward in Heaven,
He shall not gain who never merited. 250
If thou didst know the worth of one good deed
In life's last hour, thou would'st not bid me lose
The power to benefit; if I but save
A drowning fly, I shall not live in vain.
I have great duties, Fiend! me France expects, 255
Her heaven-doom'd Champion."
"Maiden, thou hast done
Thy mission here," the unbaffled Fiend replied:
The foes are fled from Orleans: thou, perchance
Exulting in the pride of victory,
Forgettest him who perish'd; yet albeit 260
Thy harden'd heart forget the gallant youth;
That hour allotted, canst thou not escape
That dreadful hour, when Contumely and Shame
Shall sojourn in thy dungeon. Wretched Maid!
Destined to drain the cup of bitterness, 265
Even to its dregs! England's inhuman Chiefs
Shall scoff thy sorrows, black thy spotless fame,
Wit-wanton it with lewd barbarity,
And force such burning blushes to the cheek
Of Virgin modesty, that thou shalt wish 270
The earth might cover thee! in that last hour,
When thy bruis'd breast shall heave beneath the chains
That link thee to the stake; when o'er thy form,
Exposed unmantled, the brute multitude
Shall gaze, and thou shalt hear the ribald taunt, 275
More painful than the circling flames that scorch
Each quivering member; wilt thou not in vain
Then wish my friendly aid? then wish thine ear
Had drank my words of comfort? that thy hand
Had grasp'd the dagger, and in death preserved 280
Insulted modesty?"
Her glowing cheek
Blush'd crimson; her wide eye on vacancy
Was fix'd; her breath short panted. The cold Fiend,
Grasping her hand, exclaim'd, "Too-timid Maid,
So long repugnant to the healing aid 285
My friendship proffers, now shalt thou behold
The allotted length of life."
He stamp'd the earth,
And dragging a huge coffin as his car,
Two Gouls came on, of form more fearful-foul
Than ever palsied in her wildest dream 290
Hag-ridden Superstition. Then Despair
Seiz'd on the Maid, whose curdling blood stood still,
And placed her in the seat; and on they pass'd
Adown the deep descent. A meteor light
Shot from the Dæmons, as they dragg'd along 295
The unwelcome load, and mark'd their brethren glut
On carcasses.
Below the vault dilates
Its ample bulk. "Look here!"———Despair addrest
The shuddering Virgin, "see the dome of Death!"
It was a spacious cavern, hewn amid 300
The entrails of the earth, as tho' to form
The grave of all mankind: no eye could reach,
Tho' gifted with the Eagle's ample ken,
Its distant bounds. There, thron'd in darkness, dwelt
The unseen Power of Death.
Here stopt the Gouls, 305
Reaching the destined spot. The Fiend leapt out,
And from the coffin, as he led the Maid,
Exclaim'd, "Where never yet stood mortal man,
Thou standest: look around this boundless vault;
Observe the dole that Nature deals to man, 310
And learn to know thy friend."
She not replied,
Observing where the Fates their several tasks
Plied ceaseless. "Mark how short the longest web
Allowed to man!" he cried; "observe how soon,
Twin'd round yon never-resting wheel, they change 315
Their snowy hue, darkening thro' many a shade,
Till Atropos relentless shuts the sheers!
Too true he spake, for of the countless threads,
Drawn from the heap, as white as unsunn'd snow,
Or as the lovely lilly of the vale, 320
Was never one beyond the little span
Of infancy untainted: few there were
But lightly tinged; more of deep crimson hue,
Or deeper sable died. Two Genii stood,
Still as the web of Being was drawn forth, 325
Sprinkling their powerful drops. From ebon urn,
The one unsparing dash'd the bitter wave
Of woe; and as he dash'd, his dark-brown brow
Relax'd to a hard smile. The milder form
Shed less profusely there his lesser store; 330
Sometimes with tears increasing the scant boon,
Mourning the lot of man; and happy he
Who on his thread those precious drops receives;
If it be happiness to have the pulse
Throb fast with pity, and in such a world 335
Of wretchedness, the generous heart that aches
With anguish at the sight of human woe!
Drawn from the heap, as white as unsunn'd snow,
Or as the lovely lilly of the vale, 320
Was never one beyond the little span
Of infancy untainted: few there were
But lightly tinged; more of deep crimson hue,
Or deeper sable died. Two Genii stood,
Still as the web of Being was drawn forth, 325
Sprinkling their powerful drops. From ebon urn,
The one unsparing dash'd the bitter wave
Of woe; and as he dash'd, his dark-brown brow
Relax'd to a hard smile. The milder form
Shed less profusely there his lesser store; 330
Sometimes with tears increasing the scant boon,
Mourning the lot of man; and happy he
Who on his thread those precious drops receives;
If it be happiness to have the pulse
Throb fast with pity, and in such a world 335
Of wretchedness, the generous heart that aches
With anguish at the sight of human woe!
To her the Fiend, well-hoping now success,
"This is thy thread! observe how short the span,
And see how copious yonder Genius pours 340
The bitter stream of woe." The Maiden saw
Fearless. "Now gaze!" "the tempter Fiend exclaim'd,
And placed again the poniard in her hand,
For Superstition, with sulphureal torch,
Stalk'd to the loom. This, Damsel, is thy fate! 345
"The hour draws on—now drench the dagger deep!
Now rush to happier worlds!"
The Maid replied,
"Or to prevent or change the will of Heaven,
Impious I strive not: be that will perform'd!"
"This is thy thread! observe how short the span,
And see how copious yonder Genius pours 340
The bitter stream of woe." The Maiden saw
Fearless. "Now gaze!" "the tempter Fiend exclaim'd,
And placed again the poniard in her hand,
For Superstition, with sulphureal torch,
Stalk'd to the loom. This, Damsel, is thy fate! 345
"The hour draws on—now drench the dagger deep!
Now rush to happier worlds!"
The Maid replied,
"Or to prevent or change the will of Heaven,
Impious I strive not: be that will perform'd!"
Lo! as she spake, celestial radiance beam'd 350
Amid the air; such odors wafting now
As ever fled upon the evening gale,
From Eden's blissful bowers. An angel form
Stood by the Maid; his wings, etherial white,
Flash'd like the diamond in the noon-tide sun, 355
Dazzling her mortal eye: all else appear'd
Her Theodore.
Amazed she saw: the Fiend
Was fled, and on her ear the well-known voice
Sounded; tho' now more musically sweet
Than ever yet had thrill'd her charmed soul, 360
When eloquent Affection fondly told
The day-dreams of delight!
"Beloved Maid!
Lo! I am with thee! still thy Theodore!
Hearts in the holy bands of Love combined,
Death has no power to sever. Thou art mine! 365
A little while, and thou shalt dwell with me
In scenes where Sorrow is not. Cheerily
Tread thou the path that leads thee to the grave,
Rough tho' it be and painful, for the grave
Is but the threshold of Eternity! 370
Amid the air; such odors wafting now
As ever fled upon the evening gale,
From Eden's blissful bowers. An angel form
Stood by the Maid; his wings, etherial white,
Flash'd like the diamond in the noon-tide sun, 355
Dazzling her mortal eye: all else appear'd
Her Theodore.
Amazed she saw: the Fiend
Was fled, and on her ear the well-known voice
Sounded; tho' now more musically sweet
Than ever yet had thrill'd her charmed soul, 360
When eloquent Affection fondly told
The day-dreams of delight!
"Beloved Maid!
Lo! I am with thee! still thy Theodore!
Hearts in the holy bands of Love combined,
Death has no power to sever. Thou art mine! 365
A little while, and thou shalt dwell with me
In scenes where Sorrow is not. Cheerily
Tread thou the path that leads thee to the grave,
Rough tho' it be and painful, for the grave
Is but the threshold of Eternity! 370
"Favour'd of Heaven! to thee is given to view
These secret realms. In night unpierceable
Enveloped, Death is there, around him wait
His ministers."
These secret realms. In night unpierceable
Enveloped, Death is there, around him wait
His ministers."
Undauntedly the Maid
Beheld his ghastly train. The withered form 375
Of Age: his cheek was hollow, and his eyes
Sunk deep, and palsied were his toothless jaws.
He, as he tottered on the open grave,
Look'd back, and call'd on one with earnest voice
For aid; yet never aid from him received 380
His fellow minister: all gravity
He was, a well-wigg'd form, and in his hand
A gold-topt cane, which ever to his lips,
In thought profound, he press'd: his lofty speech
With learned phrase abounded, such as fills 385
The astonish'd soul with awe: and oft his hand
Dire incantations drew, with magic drugs,
To fill the mystic phial, which who feels,
With griping pains opprest, shall toss and writhe,
Till Nature, wearied with disease, and sick 390
Of remedy, must yield the unequal strife.
Murder was there, well-vers'd in many a shape
To serve his shadowy King; or in the rags
Of ruffian poverty, or skill'd to drug
The bowl with death, or, hid beneath his cloak, 395
Sharp the stiletto for the mortal blow;
Now in the form of Honor, fierce to talk
Of satisfaction for his injuries,
And reputation, and the jargon'd phrase
That make mankind genteely violate 400
The law of God. But these are petty deeds
For this proud Fiend, that o'er the ravaged earth
Stalks royally, and bids his liveried slaves,
His hireling train'd assassins, to go forth,
And desolate, and kill!
As on they pass'd 405
Beyond the hideous train, thus Theodore
Pursued: "The bottom of the vast abyss
Thou treadest, Maiden! Here the dungeons are
Where bad men learn repentance; souls diseased
Must have their remedy; and where disease 410
Is rooted deep, the remedy is long
Perforce, and painful."
Thus the Spirit spake,
And led the Maid along a narrow path,
Dark-gleaming to the light of far-off flames,
More dread than darkness. Soon the distant sound 415
Of clanking anvils, and the lengthened breath
Provoking fire are heard: and now they reach
A vast expanded den, where all around
Tremendous furnaces, with hellish blaze,
Flamed dreadful. At the heaving bellows stood 420
The meagre form of Care, and as he blew
To augment the fire, the fire augmented, scorch'd
His wretched limbs: sleepless for ever thus
He toil'd and toil'd, of toil to reap no end
But endless toil, and never-ending woe. 425
Beheld his ghastly train. The withered form 375
Of Age: his cheek was hollow, and his eyes
Sunk deep, and palsied were his toothless jaws.
He, as he tottered on the open grave,
Look'd back, and call'd on one with earnest voice
For aid; yet never aid from him received 380
His fellow minister: all gravity
He was, a well-wigg'd form, and in his hand
A gold-topt cane, which ever to his lips,
In thought profound, he press'd: his lofty speech
With learned phrase abounded, such as fills 385
The astonish'd soul with awe: and oft his hand
Dire incantations drew, with magic drugs,
To fill the mystic phial, which who feels,
With griping pains opprest, shall toss and writhe,
Till Nature, wearied with disease, and sick 390
Of remedy, must yield the unequal strife.
Murder was there, well-vers'd in many a shape
To serve his shadowy King; or in the rags
Of ruffian poverty, or skill'd to drug
The bowl with death, or, hid beneath his cloak, 395
Sharp the stiletto for the mortal blow;
Now in the form of Honor, fierce to talk
Of satisfaction for his injuries,
And reputation, and the jargon'd phrase
That make mankind genteely violate 400
The law of God. But these are petty deeds
For this proud Fiend, that o'er the ravaged earth
Stalks royally, and bids his liveried slaves,
His hireling train'd assassins, to go forth,
And desolate, and kill!
As on they pass'd 405
Beyond the hideous train, thus Theodore
Pursued: "The bottom of the vast abyss
Thou treadest, Maiden! Here the dungeons are
Where bad men learn repentance; souls diseased
Must have their remedy; and where disease 410
Is rooted deep, the remedy is long
Perforce, and painful."
Thus the Spirit spake,
And led the Maid along a narrow path,
Dark-gleaming to the light of far-off flames,
More dread than darkness. Soon the distant sound 415
Of clanking anvils, and the lengthened breath
Provoking fire are heard: and now they reach
A vast expanded den, where all around
Tremendous furnaces, with hellish blaze,
Flamed dreadful. At the heaving bellows stood 420
The meagre form of Care, and as he blew
To augment the fire, the fire augmented, scorch'd
His wretched limbs: sleepless for ever thus
He toil'd and toil'd, of toil to reap no end
But endless toil, and never-ending woe. 425
An aged man went round the infernal vault
Urging his workmen at their ceaseless task:
White were his locks, as is the wintry snow
On hoar Plinlimmons head. A golden staff
His steps supported; powerful talisman, 430
Which whoso feels shall never feel again
The tear of Pity or the throb of Love.
Touch'd but by this, the massy gates give way,
The buttress trembles, and the guarded wall,
Guarded in vain, submits. Him heathens erst 435
Had deified, and bowed the suppliant knee
To Plutus. Nor are now his votaries few,
Tho' he the Blessed Teacher of mankind
Hath said, that easier thro the needle's eye
Shall the huge cable pass, than the rich man 440
Enter the gates of Heaven. "Ye cannot serve
Your God, and worship Mammon."
"Missioned Maid!
So spake the Angel, "know that these, whose hands
Round each white furnace ply the unceasing toil,
Were Mammon's slaves on earth. They did not spare 445
To wring from Poverty the hard-earn'd mite;
They robb'd the orphan's pittance; they could see
Want's asking eye unmoved; and therefore these,
Ranged round the furnace, still must persevere
In Mammon's service; scorch'd by these fierce fires, 450
And frequent deluged by th' o'erboiling ore:
Yet still so framed, that oft to quench their thirst
Unquenchable, large draughts of molten gold
They drink insatiate, still with pain renewed,
Pain to destroy!"
So saying, her he led 455
Forth from the dreadful cavern to a cell,
Brilliant with gem-born light. The rugged walls
Part gleam'd with gold, and part with silver ore
A milder radiance shone. The Carbuncle
There, it's strong lustre like the flamy sun, 460
Shot forth irradiate; from the earth beneath,
And from the roof a diamond light emits;
Rubies and Amethysts their glows commix'd
With the gay Topaz, and the softer ray
Shot from the Sapphire, and the Emerald's hue, 465
And bright Pyropus.
There on golden seats,
A numerous, sullen, melancholy train,
Sat silent. "Maiden, these," said Theodore,
"Are they who let the love of wealth absorb
All other passions; in their souls that vice 470
Struck deeply-rooted, like the poison-tree
That with its shade spreads barrenness around.
These, Maid I were men by no atrocious crime
Blacken'd; no fraud, nor ruffian violence:
Men of fair dealing, and respectable 475
On earth, but such as only for themselves
Heap'd up their treasures, deaming all their wealth
Their own, and given to them, by partial Heaven,
To bless them only: therefore here they sit,
Possessed of gold enough, and by no pain 480
Tormented, save the knowledge of the bliss
They lost, and vain repentance. Here they dwell,
Loathing these useless treasures, till the hour
Of general restitution."
Thence they part,
And now arrived at such a gorgeous dome, 485
As even the pomp of Eastern opulence
Could never equal: wandered thro' it's halls
A numerous train; some with the red-swoln eye
Of riot and intemperance-bloated cheek;
Some pale and nerveless, and with feeble step, 490
And eyes lack-lustre.
"Maiden!" said her guide,
"These are the wretched slaves of Appetite,
Curst with their wish enjoyed: the Epicure
Here pampers his foul frame, till the pall'd sense
Loaths at the banquet: the Voluptuous here 495
Plunge in the tempting torrent of delight,
And sink in misery. All they wish'd on earth,
Possessing here, whom have they to accuse,
But their own folly, for the lot they chose?
Yet, for that these injured themselves alone, 500
They to the houe of Penitence may hie,
And, by a long and painful regimen,
To wearied Nature her exhausted powers
Restore, till they shall learn to form the wish
Of wisdom, and Almighty Goodness grants 505
That prize to him who seeks it."
Whilst he spake,
The board is spread. With bloated paunch, and eye
Fat swoln, and legs whose monstrous size disgraced
The human form divine, their caterer,
Hight Gluttony, set forth the smoaking feast. 510
And by his side came on a brother form,
With firey cheek of purple hue, and red
And scurfey-white, mix'd motley: his gross bulk,
Like some huge hogshead shapen'd, as applied.
Him had antiquity with mystic rites 515
Ador'd, to him the sons of Greece, and thine
Imperial Rome! on many an altar pour'd
The victim blood, with godlike titles graced;
Bacchus, or Dionusus, son of Jove,
Deem'd falsely, for from Folly's ideot form 520
He sprung, what time Madness, with furious hand,
Seiz'd on the laughing female. At one birth
She brought the brethren, menial here, above
Reigning with sway supreme; and oft they hold
High revels. Mid the monastery's gloom, 525
Thy palace Gluttony! and oft to thee
The sacrifice is spread, when the grave voice
Episcopal, proclaims approaching day
Of visitation, or Churchwardens meet
To save the wretched many from the gripe 530
Of eager Poverty, or mid thy halls
Of London, mighty Mayor! rich Aldermen
Of coming-feast, hold converse.
Otherwhere,
For tho' allied in nature as in blood,
They hold divided sway, his brother lifts 535
His spungy sceptre. In the noble domes
Of Princes, and state-wearied Ministers,
Maddening he reigns; and when the affrighted mind
Casts o'er a long career of guilt and blood
Its eye reluctant, then his aid is sought 540
To lull the worm of Conscience to repose.
He too the halls of country Squires frequents,
But chiefly loves the learned gloom that shades
Thy offspring Rhadycina! and thy walls,
Granta! Nightly libations there to him 545
Profuse are pour'd, till from the dizzy brain
Triangles Circles, Parallelograms,
Moods, Tenses, Dialects, and Demigods,
And Logic and Theology are swept
By the red deluge.
Unmolested there 550
He reigns; till comes at length the general feast,
Septennial sacrifice; then when the sons
Of England meet, with watchful care to chuse
Their delegates—wise! independent men!
Unbribing and unbrib'd! and cull'd to guard 555
Their rights and charters from the encroaching grasp
Of greedy Power: then all the joyful land
Join in his sacrifices, so inspir'd
To make the important choice.
The observing Maid
Address'd her guide, "These Theodore, thou sayest 560
Are men, who pampering their foul appetites,
Injured themselves alone. But where are they,
The worst of villains, viper-like, who coil
Around the guileless female, so to stain
The heart that loves them?"
"Them," the spirit replied 565
"A long and dreadful punishment awaits.
For when the prey of want and infamy,
Lower and lower still the victim sinks
Even to the depth of shame. Not one lewd word,
One impious imprecation from her lips 570
Escapes, nay not a thought of evil lurks
In the polluted mind, that does not plead
Before the throne of Justice thunder-tongued
Against the foul Seducer."
Now they reach'd
The house of Penitence. Credulity 575
Stood at the gate, stretching her eager head
As tho' to listen ; on her vacant face,
A smile that promised premature assent ;
Tho' her Regret behind, a meagre Fiend!
Disciplin'd sorely.
Here they entered in, 580
And now arrived where as in study tranced
She sat the Mistress of the Dome. Her face
Spake that compos'd severity, that knows
No angry impulse, no weak tenderness,
Resolved, and calm. Before her lay that Book 585
That hath the words of Life; and as she read,
Sometimes a tear would trickle down her cheek,
Tho' heavenly Joy beam'd in her eye the while.
Urging his workmen at their ceaseless task:
White were his locks, as is the wintry snow
On hoar Plinlimmons head. A golden staff
His steps supported; powerful talisman, 430
Which whoso feels shall never feel again
The tear of Pity or the throb of Love.
Touch'd but by this, the massy gates give way,
The buttress trembles, and the guarded wall,
Guarded in vain, submits. Him heathens erst 435
Had deified, and bowed the suppliant knee
To Plutus. Nor are now his votaries few,
Tho' he the Blessed Teacher of mankind
Hath said, that easier thro the needle's eye
Shall the huge cable pass, than the rich man 440
Enter the gates of Heaven. "Ye cannot serve
Your God, and worship Mammon."
"Missioned Maid!
So spake the Angel, "know that these, whose hands
Round each white furnace ply the unceasing toil,
Were Mammon's slaves on earth. They did not spare 445
To wring from Poverty the hard-earn'd mite;
They robb'd the orphan's pittance; they could see
Want's asking eye unmoved; and therefore these,
Ranged round the furnace, still must persevere
In Mammon's service; scorch'd by these fierce fires, 450
And frequent deluged by th' o'erboiling ore:
Yet still so framed, that oft to quench their thirst
Unquenchable, large draughts of molten gold
They drink insatiate, still with pain renewed,
Pain to destroy!"
So saying, her he led 455
Forth from the dreadful cavern to a cell,
Brilliant with gem-born light. The rugged walls
Part gleam'd with gold, and part with silver ore
A milder radiance shone. The Carbuncle
There, it's strong lustre like the flamy sun, 460
Shot forth irradiate; from the earth beneath,
And from the roof a diamond light emits;
Rubies and Amethysts their glows commix'd
With the gay Topaz, and the softer ray
Shot from the Sapphire, and the Emerald's hue, 465
And bright Pyropus.
There on golden seats,
A numerous, sullen, melancholy train,
Sat silent. "Maiden, these," said Theodore,
"Are they who let the love of wealth absorb
All other passions; in their souls that vice 470
Struck deeply-rooted, like the poison-tree
That with its shade spreads barrenness around.
These, Maid I were men by no atrocious crime
Blacken'd; no fraud, nor ruffian violence:
Men of fair dealing, and respectable 475
On earth, but such as only for themselves
Heap'd up their treasures, deaming all their wealth
Their own, and given to them, by partial Heaven,
To bless them only: therefore here they sit,
Possessed of gold enough, and by no pain 480
Tormented, save the knowledge of the bliss
They lost, and vain repentance. Here they dwell,
Loathing these useless treasures, till the hour
Of general restitution."
Thence they part,
And now arrived at such a gorgeous dome, 485
As even the pomp of Eastern opulence
Could never equal: wandered thro' it's halls
A numerous train; some with the red-swoln eye
Of riot and intemperance-bloated cheek;
Some pale and nerveless, and with feeble step, 490
And eyes lack-lustre.
"Maiden!" said her guide,
"These are the wretched slaves of Appetite,
Curst with their wish enjoyed: the Epicure
Here pampers his foul frame, till the pall'd sense
Loaths at the banquet: the Voluptuous here 495
Plunge in the tempting torrent of delight,
And sink in misery. All they wish'd on earth,
Possessing here, whom have they to accuse,
But their own folly, for the lot they chose?
Yet, for that these injured themselves alone, 500
They to the houe of Penitence may hie,
And, by a long and painful regimen,
To wearied Nature her exhausted powers
Restore, till they shall learn to form the wish
Of wisdom, and Almighty Goodness grants 505
That prize to him who seeks it."
Whilst he spake,
The board is spread. With bloated paunch, and eye
Fat swoln, and legs whose monstrous size disgraced
The human form divine, their caterer,
Hight Gluttony, set forth the smoaking feast. 510
And by his side came on a brother form,
With firey cheek of purple hue, and red
And scurfey-white, mix'd motley: his gross bulk,
Like some huge hogshead shapen'd, as applied.
Him had antiquity with mystic rites 515
Ador'd, to him the sons of Greece, and thine
Imperial Rome! on many an altar pour'd
The victim blood, with godlike titles graced;
Bacchus, or Dionusus, son of Jove,
Deem'd falsely, for from Folly's ideot form 520
He sprung, what time Madness, with furious hand,
Seiz'd on the laughing female. At one birth
She brought the brethren, menial here, above
Reigning with sway supreme; and oft they hold
High revels. Mid the monastery's gloom, 525
Thy palace Gluttony! and oft to thee
The sacrifice is spread, when the grave voice
Episcopal, proclaims approaching day
Of visitation, or Churchwardens meet
To save the wretched many from the gripe 530
Of eager Poverty, or mid thy halls
Of London, mighty Mayor! rich Aldermen
Of coming-feast, hold converse.
Otherwhere,
For tho' allied in nature as in blood,
They hold divided sway, his brother lifts 535
His spungy sceptre. In the noble domes
Of Princes, and state-wearied Ministers,
Maddening he reigns; and when the affrighted mind
Casts o'er a long career of guilt and blood
Its eye reluctant, then his aid is sought 540
To lull the worm of Conscience to repose.
He too the halls of country Squires frequents,
But chiefly loves the learned gloom that shades
Thy offspring Rhadycina! and thy walls,
Granta! Nightly libations there to him 545
Profuse are pour'd, till from the dizzy brain
Triangles Circles, Parallelograms,
Moods, Tenses, Dialects, and Demigods,
And Logic and Theology are swept
By the red deluge.
Unmolested there 550
He reigns; till comes at length the general feast,
Septennial sacrifice; then when the sons
Of England meet, with watchful care to chuse
Their delegates—wise! independent men!
Unbribing and unbrib'd! and cull'd to guard 555
Their rights and charters from the encroaching grasp
Of greedy Power: then all the joyful land
Join in his sacrifices, so inspir'd
To make the important choice.
The observing Maid
Address'd her guide, "These Theodore, thou sayest 560
Are men, who pampering their foul appetites,
Injured themselves alone. But where are they,
The worst of villains, viper-like, who coil
Around the guileless female, so to stain
The heart that loves them?"
"Them," the spirit replied 565
"A long and dreadful punishment awaits.
For when the prey of want and infamy,
Lower and lower still the victim sinks
Even to the depth of shame. Not one lewd word,
One impious imprecation from her lips 570
Escapes, nay not a thought of evil lurks
In the polluted mind, that does not plead
Before the throne of Justice thunder-tongued
Against the foul Seducer."
Now they reach'd
The house of Penitence. Credulity 575
Stood at the gate, stretching her eager head
As tho' to listen ; on her vacant face,
A smile that promised premature assent ;
Tho' her Regret behind, a meagre Fiend!
Disciplin'd sorely.
Here they entered in, 580
And now arrived where as in study tranced
She sat the Mistress of the Dome. Her face
Spake that compos'd severity, that knows
No angry impulse, no weak tenderness,
Resolved, and calm. Before her lay that Book 585
That hath the words of Life; and as she read,
Sometimes a tear would trickle down her cheek,
Tho' heavenly Joy beam'd in her eye the while.
Leaving her undisturb'd, to the first ward
Of this great Lazar-house, the Angel led 590
The favour'd Maid of Orleans. Kneeling down
On the hard stone that their bare knees had worn,
In sackcloth robed, a numerous train appear'd:
Hard-featur'd some, and some demurely grave;
Yet such expression stealing from the eye, 595
As tho', that only naked, all the rest
Was one close-fitting mask: a scoffing Fiend
(For Fiend he was, tho' wisely serving here)
Mock'd at his patients, and did often pour
Ashes upon them, and then bid them say 600
Their prayers aloud, and then he louder laughed:
For these were Hypocrites, on earth revered
As holy ones, who did in public tell
Their beads, and make long prayers, and cross themselves,
And call themselves most miserable sinners, 605
That so they might be deem'd most pious saints;
And go all filth, and never let a smile
Bend their stem muscles, gloomy sullen men!
Barren of all affection! and all this
To please their God, forsooth! and therefore Scorn 610
Grinn'd at his patients, making them repeat
Their solemn farce, with keenest raillery
Tormenting; but if earnest in their prayer,
They pour'd the silent sorrows of the soul
To Heaven, then did they not regard his mocks 615
Which then came painless, and Humility
Soon rescued them, and led to Penitence,
That She might lead to Heaven.
From thence they came,
Where, in the next Ward, a most wretched band
Groan'd underneath the bitter tyranny 620
Of a fierce Dæmon; his coarse hair was red,
Pale grey his eyes, and blood-shot; and his face
Wrinkled by such a smile as Malice wears
In ecstasy. Well-pleased he went around,
Plunging his dagger in the hearts of some, 625
Or probing with a poison'd lance their breasts,
Or placing coals of fire within their wounds;
Or seizing some within his mighty grasp
He fix'd them on a stake, and then drew back,
And laughed to see them writhe.
"These," said the Spirit, 630
"Are taught by Cruelty, to loath the lives
They led themselves. Here are those wicked men
Who loved to exercise their tyrant power
On speechless brutes; bad husbands undergo
A long purgation here; the Traffickers 635
In human flesh here too are disciplin'd
Till by their sufferings they have equall'd all
The miseries they inflicted, all the mass
Of wretchedness caused by the wars they waged,
The towns they burnt, (for they who bribe to war 640
Are guilty of the blood) the widows left
In want, the slave or led to suicide,
Or murdered by the foul infected air
Of his close dungeon, or more sad than all,
His virtue lost, his very soul enslaved, 645
And driven by woe to wickedness.
"These next,
Whom thou beholdest in this dreary room,
So sullen, and with such an eye of hate
Each on the other scowling, these have been
False friends. Tormented by their own dark thoughts 650
Here they dwell: in the hollow of their hearts
There is a worm that feeds! and tho' thou seest
That skilful leech who willingly would heal
The ill they suffer, judging of all else
By their own evil standard, they suspect 655
The aid he vainly proffers, lengthening thus
By vice its punishment."
"But who are these,"
The Maid exclaim'd, "That robed in flowing lawn,
And mitred, or in scarlet, and in caps
Like Cardinals, I see in every ward 660
Performing menial service at the beck
Of all who bid them?"
Theodore replied,
"These men are they who in the name of Christ
Did heap up wealth, and arrogating power,
Did make men bow the knee, and call themselves 665
Most Reverend Graces and Right Reverend Lords:
They dwelt in palaces, in purple cloathed,
And in fine linen: therefore are they here;
And tho' they would not minister on earth,
Here penanced they perforce must minister: 670
For he, the lowly man of Nazareth,
Hath said, his kingdom is not of the world."
Of this great Lazar-house, the Angel led 590
The favour'd Maid of Orleans. Kneeling down
On the hard stone that their bare knees had worn,
In sackcloth robed, a numerous train appear'd:
Hard-featur'd some, and some demurely grave;
Yet such expression stealing from the eye, 595
As tho', that only naked, all the rest
Was one close-fitting mask: a scoffing Fiend
(For Fiend he was, tho' wisely serving here)
Mock'd at his patients, and did often pour
Ashes upon them, and then bid them say 600
Their prayers aloud, and then he louder laughed:
For these were Hypocrites, on earth revered
As holy ones, who did in public tell
Their beads, and make long prayers, and cross themselves,
And call themselves most miserable sinners, 605
That so they might be deem'd most pious saints;
And go all filth, and never let a smile
Bend their stem muscles, gloomy sullen men!
Barren of all affection! and all this
To please their God, forsooth! and therefore Scorn 610
Grinn'd at his patients, making them repeat
Their solemn farce, with keenest raillery
Tormenting; but if earnest in their prayer,
They pour'd the silent sorrows of the soul
To Heaven, then did they not regard his mocks 615
Which then came painless, and Humility
Soon rescued them, and led to Penitence,
That She might lead to Heaven.
From thence they came,
Where, in the next Ward, a most wretched band
Groan'd underneath the bitter tyranny 620
Of a fierce Dæmon; his coarse hair was red,
Pale grey his eyes, and blood-shot; and his face
Wrinkled by such a smile as Malice wears
In ecstasy. Well-pleased he went around,
Plunging his dagger in the hearts of some, 625
Or probing with a poison'd lance their breasts,
Or placing coals of fire within their wounds;
Or seizing some within his mighty grasp
He fix'd them on a stake, and then drew back,
And laughed to see them writhe.
"These," said the Spirit, 630
"Are taught by Cruelty, to loath the lives
They led themselves. Here are those wicked men
Who loved to exercise their tyrant power
On speechless brutes; bad husbands undergo
A long purgation here; the Traffickers 635
In human flesh here too are disciplin'd
Till by their sufferings they have equall'd all
The miseries they inflicted, all the mass
Of wretchedness caused by the wars they waged,
The towns they burnt, (for they who bribe to war 640
Are guilty of the blood) the widows left
In want, the slave or led to suicide,
Or murdered by the foul infected air
Of his close dungeon, or more sad than all,
His virtue lost, his very soul enslaved, 645
And driven by woe to wickedness.
"These next,
Whom thou beholdest in this dreary room,
So sullen, and with such an eye of hate
Each on the other scowling, these have been
False friends. Tormented by their own dark thoughts 650
Here they dwell: in the hollow of their hearts
There is a worm that feeds! and tho' thou seest
That skilful leech who willingly would heal
The ill they suffer, judging of all else
By their own evil standard, they suspect 655
The aid he vainly proffers, lengthening thus
By vice its punishment."
"But who are these,"
The Maid exclaim'd, "That robed in flowing lawn,
And mitred, or in scarlet, and in caps
Like Cardinals, I see in every ward 660
Performing menial service at the beck
Of all who bid them?"
Theodore replied,
"These men are they who in the name of Christ
Did heap up wealth, and arrogating power,
Did make men bow the knee, and call themselves 665
Most Reverend Graces and Right Reverend Lords:
They dwelt in palaces, in purple cloathed,
And in fine linen: therefore are they here;
And tho' they would not minister on earth,
Here penanced they perforce must minister: 670
For he, the lowly man of Nazareth,
Hath said, his kingdom is not of the world."
So saying on they past, and now arrived
Where such a hideous ghastly groupe abode,
That the Maid gazed with half-averting eye, 675
And shudder'd: each one was a loathly corpse!
The worm did banquet on his putrid prey,
Yet had they life and feeling exquisite,
Tho' motionless and mute.
"Most wretched men
Are these," the angel cried. "These, JOAN, are Bards, 680
Whose loose lascivious lays perpetuate
Their own corruption. Soul-polluted slaves,
Who sat them down, deliberately lewd,
So to awake and pamper lust in minds,
Unborn; and therefore foul of body now 685
As then they were of soul, they here abide
Their punishment, and here they must abide
Long as the evil works they left on earth
Shall live to taint mankind. A dreadful doom!
Yet amply merited by that bad man 690
Who prostitutes the sacred gift of song."
Where such a hideous ghastly groupe abode,
That the Maid gazed with half-averting eye, 675
And shudder'd: each one was a loathly corpse!
The worm did banquet on his putrid prey,
Yet had they life and feeling exquisite,
Tho' motionless and mute.
"Most wretched men
Are these," the angel cried. "These, JOAN, are Bards, 680
Whose loose lascivious lays perpetuate
Their own corruption. Soul-polluted slaves,
Who sat them down, deliberately lewd,
So to awake and pamper lust in minds,
Unborn; and therefore foul of body now 685
As then they were of soul, they here abide
Their punishment, and here they must abide
Long as the evil works they left on earth
Shall live to taint mankind. A dreadful doom!
Yet amply merited by that bad man 690
Who prostitutes the sacred gift of song."
They enter'd now a large and lofty dome,
O'er whose black marble sides a dim drear light
Struggled with darkness from the unfrequent lamp.
Enthroned around, the Murderers of Mankind! 695
Monarchs, the great! the glorious! the august!
Each bearing on his brow a crown of fire,
Sat stern and silent. Nimrod he was there,
First King the mighty hunter; and that Chief
Who did belie his mother's fame, that so 700
He might be called young Ammon. In this court
Cæsar was crown'd, accurst liberticide;
And he who murdered Tully, that cold villain!
Octavius, tho' the courtly minion's lyre
Hath hymn'd his praise, tho' Maro sung to him, 705
And when Death levelled to original clay
The royal carcase, Flattery, fawning low,
Fell at his feet, and worshipp'd the new God!
Titus was here, the Conqueror of the Jews,[3]
He the Delight of human-kind misnamed; 710
Cæsars and Soldans, Emperors and Kings;
Here they were all, all who for glory fought,
Here in the Court of Glory, reaping now
The meed they merited.
As gazing round
The Virgin mark'd the miserable train, 715
A deep and hollow voice from one went forth;
"Thou who art come to view our punishment,
Maiden of Orleans! hither turn thine eyes,
For I am he whose bloody victories
Thy power hath rendered vain. Lo! I am here, 720
The hero conqueror of Azincour,
Henry of England!—wretched that I am!
I might have reigned in happiness and peace,
My coffers full, my subjects undisturb'd,
And Plenty and Prosperity had loved 725
To dwell amongst them: but mine eye beheld
The realm of France, by faction tempest-torn;
And therefore I did think that it would fall
An easy prey. I persecuted those
Who taught new doctrines, tho' they taught the truth: 730
And when I heard of thousands by the sword
Cut off, or blasted by the pestilence,
I calmly counted up my proper gains,
And sent new herds to slaughter: temperate
Myself, no blood that mutinied, no vice 735
Tainting my private life, I sent abroad
Murder and Rape; and therefore am I doom'd,
Like these imperial Sufferers, crown'd with fire,
Here to remain, till Man's awaken'd eye
Shall see the genuine blackness of our deeds, 740
And warn'd by them, till the whole human race,
Equalling in bliss the aggregate we caus'd
Of wretchedness, shall form one brotherhood.
One universal Family of Love."
O'er whose black marble sides a dim drear light
Struggled with darkness from the unfrequent lamp.
Enthroned around, the Murderers of Mankind! 695
Monarchs, the great! the glorious! the august!
Each bearing on his brow a crown of fire,
Sat stern and silent. Nimrod he was there,
First King the mighty hunter; and that Chief
Who did belie his mother's fame, that so 700
He might be called young Ammon. In this court
Cæsar was crown'd, accurst liberticide;
And he who murdered Tully, that cold villain!
Octavius, tho' the courtly minion's lyre
Hath hymn'd his praise, tho' Maro sung to him, 705
And when Death levelled to original clay
The royal carcase, Flattery, fawning low,
Fell at his feet, and worshipp'd the new God!
Titus was here, the Conqueror of the Jews,[3]
He the Delight of human-kind misnamed; 710
Cæsars and Soldans, Emperors and Kings;
Here they were all, all who for glory fought,
Here in the Court of Glory, reaping now
The meed they merited.
As gazing round
The Virgin mark'd the miserable train, 715
A deep and hollow voice from one went forth;
"Thou who art come to view our punishment,
Maiden of Orleans! hither turn thine eyes,
For I am he whose bloody victories
Thy power hath rendered vain. Lo! I am here, 720
The hero conqueror of Azincour,
Henry of England!—wretched that I am!
I might have reigned in happiness and peace,
My coffers full, my subjects undisturb'd,
And Plenty and Prosperity had loved 725
To dwell amongst them: but mine eye beheld
The realm of France, by faction tempest-torn;
And therefore I did think that it would fall
An easy prey. I persecuted those
Who taught new doctrines, tho' they taught the truth: 730
And when I heard of thousands by the sword
Cut off, or blasted by the pestilence,
I calmly counted up my proper gains,
And sent new herds to slaughter: temperate
Myself, no blood that mutinied, no vice 735
Tainting my private life, I sent abroad
Murder and Rape; and therefore am I doom'd,
Like these imperial Sufferers, crown'd with fire,
Here to remain, till Man's awaken'd eye
Shall see the genuine blackness of our deeds, 740
And warn'd by them, till the whole human race,
Equalling in bliss the aggregate we caus'd
Of wretchedness, shall form one brotherhood.
One universal Family of Love."
The Maiden, musing on the Warriors words, 745
Turn'd from the Hall of Glory. Now they reach'd
A cavern, at whose mouth a Genius stood,
In front, a beardless youth, whose smiling eye
Beam'd promise, but behind withered and old,
And all unlovely. Underneath his feet 750
Lay records trampled, and the laurel wreath
Now rent and faded: in his hand he held
An hour-glass, and, as fall the restless sands,
So pass the lives of men. By him they past
Along the darksome cave, and reach'd a stream, 755
Aye rolling onward its perpetual waves,
Noiseless and undisturb'd. Here they ascend
A Bark unpiloted, that down the flood,
Borne by the current, rush'd. The circling stream,
Returning to itself, an island form'd; 760
Nor had the Maiden's footsteps ever reach'd
The insulated coast, eternally
Rapt round the endless course; but Theodore,
With force angelic, drove the obedient bark.
Turn'd from the Hall of Glory. Now they reach'd
A cavern, at whose mouth a Genius stood,
In front, a beardless youth, whose smiling eye
Beam'd promise, but behind withered and old,
And all unlovely. Underneath his feet 750
Lay records trampled, and the laurel wreath
Now rent and faded: in his hand he held
An hour-glass, and, as fall the restless sands,
So pass the lives of men. By him they past
Along the darksome cave, and reach'd a stream, 755
Aye rolling onward its perpetual waves,
Noiseless and undisturb'd. Here they ascend
A Bark unpiloted, that down the flood,
Borne by the current, rush'd. The circling stream,
Returning to itself, an island form'd; 760
Nor had the Maiden's footsteps ever reach'd
The insulated coast, eternally
Rapt round the endless course; but Theodore,
With force angelic, drove the obedient bark.
They land, a mighty fabric meets their eyes, 765
Seen by its gem-born light. Of adamant
The pile was framed, for ever to abide
Firm in eternal strength. Before the gate
Stood eager Expectation, as to list
The half-heard murmurs issuing from within, 770
Her mouth half open'd, and her head stretch'd forth.
On the other side there stood an aged Crone,
Listening to every breath of air; she knew
Vague suppositions and uncertain dreams,
Of what was soon to come, for she would mark 775
The paley glow-worm's self-created light,
And argue thence of kingdoms overthrown,
And desolated nations; ever fill'd
With undetermined terror, as she heard
Or distant screech owl, or the regular beat 780
Of evening death-watch.
"Maid," the Spirit cried,
"Here, robed in shadows, dwells Futurity.
There is no eye hath seen her secret form,
For round the Mother of Time, unpierced mists
Aye hover. Would'st thou read the book of Fate, 785
Enter."
The Damsel for a moment paus'd,
Then to the Angel spake: "All-gracious Heaven!
Benignant in withholding, hath denied
To man that knowledge. I, in faith assur'd,
That he, my heavenly Father, for the best 790
Ordaineth all things, in that faith remain
Contented."
"Well and wisely hast thou said,"
So Theodore replied; and as he spake,
Seizing her hand (for Spirits have such power
That there they are where they but wish to be, 800
Swift as the thought that guides them) in a vale
They stood; a fairer spot industrious Man
Made never, tho' in climes where Nature pours
Profuse her bounty. Forest-waving hills
Bosom'd the tranquil scene, beneath whose feet 805
A river roll'd along its willowy course,
And as it wound between the neighbouring coomb,
Allured the charmed eye. Here, as they pass
Beneath a woodbine bower, a manly form
They saw of open visage, who from wood 810
Of odorous Myrtle form'd the shafts of Love.
Yet whilst Humanity thus plied his toil,
Deceit would steal away the precious shafts
And in their stead the evil darts return,
Form'd from the Cypress or the Aspin wood, 815
Or from that tree that on the traveller drops
The dews of death. And as the Genius form'd
His shafts, he plunged them in the urn of bliss:
But brooding evil to the race of man,
Sat shameless Vice behind, and fann'd her fire, 820
Hell-kindled, heating in it's flames the darts
Deceit had form'd, and Avarice venom'd them
With his cold drugs that petrify the heart.
"These are the Dæmons that pervert the power
Of Love," said Theodore. "The time was once 825
When Love and Happiness went hand in hand,
In that blest aera of the infant world
Ere man had learnt to bow the knee to man.
Was there a youth whom warm affection fill'd,
He spake his honest heart; the earliest fruits 830
His toil produced, the sweetest flowers that deck'd
The sunny bank, he gather'd for the maid,
Nor she disdain'd the gift—for Vice not yet
Had burst the dungeons of her hell, and rear'd
Those artificial boundaries that divide 835
Man from his species. State of blessedness!
Till that ill-omen'd hour when Cain's stern son
Delved in the bowels of the earth for gold,
Accursed bane of virtue! of such force
As poets feign dwelt in the Gorgon's locks, 840
Which whoso saw, felt instant the life-blood
Cold curdle in his veins, the creeping flesh
Grew stiff with horror, and the heart forgot
To beat. Accursed hour! for man no more
To Justice paid his homage, but forsook 845
Her altars, and bow'd down before the shrine
Of Wealth and Power, the Idols he had made.
Then Hell enlarg'd herself, her gates flew wide,
Her legion fiends rush'd forth. Oppression came
Whose frown is desolation, and whose breath 850
Blasts like the Pestilence; and Poverty,
A meagre monster, who with withering touch
Makes barren all the better part of man,
Mother of Miseries; then the goodly earth
Which God had framed for happiness, became 855
One theatre of woe, and all that God
Had given to bless free men, these tyrant fiends
His bitterest curses made. Yet for the best
Hath he ordained all things, the All-wise!
For by experience rous'd shall man at length 860
Dash down his Moloch-gods, Samson-like
And burst his fetters—only strong whilst strong
Believed; then in the bottomless abyss
Oppression shall be chain'd, and Poverty
Die, and with her, her Brood of Miseries; 865
And Virtue and Equality preserve
The reign of Love, and Earth shall once again
Be Paradise, whilst Wisdom shall secure
The state of bliss which Ignorance betrayed."
Seen by its gem-born light. Of adamant
The pile was framed, for ever to abide
Firm in eternal strength. Before the gate
Stood eager Expectation, as to list
The half-heard murmurs issuing from within, 770
Her mouth half open'd, and her head stretch'd forth.
On the other side there stood an aged Crone,
Listening to every breath of air; she knew
Vague suppositions and uncertain dreams,
Of what was soon to come, for she would mark 775
The paley glow-worm's self-created light,
And argue thence of kingdoms overthrown,
And desolated nations; ever fill'd
With undetermined terror, as she heard
Or distant screech owl, or the regular beat 780
Of evening death-watch.
"Maid," the Spirit cried,
"Here, robed in shadows, dwells Futurity.
There is no eye hath seen her secret form,
For round the Mother of Time, unpierced mists
Aye hover. Would'st thou read the book of Fate, 785
Enter."
The Damsel for a moment paus'd,
Then to the Angel spake: "All-gracious Heaven!
Benignant in withholding, hath denied
To man that knowledge. I, in faith assur'd,
That he, my heavenly Father, for the best 790
Ordaineth all things, in that faith remain
Contented."
"Well and wisely hast thou said,"
So Theodore replied; and as he spake,
Seizing her hand (for Spirits have such power
That there they are where they but wish to be, 800
Swift as the thought that guides them) in a vale
They stood; a fairer spot industrious Man
Made never, tho' in climes where Nature pours
Profuse her bounty. Forest-waving hills
Bosom'd the tranquil scene, beneath whose feet 805
A river roll'd along its willowy course,
And as it wound between the neighbouring coomb,
Allured the charmed eye. Here, as they pass
Beneath a woodbine bower, a manly form
They saw of open visage, who from wood 810
Of odorous Myrtle form'd the shafts of Love.
Yet whilst Humanity thus plied his toil,
Deceit would steal away the precious shafts
And in their stead the evil darts return,
Form'd from the Cypress or the Aspin wood, 815
Or from that tree that on the traveller drops
The dews of death. And as the Genius form'd
His shafts, he plunged them in the urn of bliss:
But brooding evil to the race of man,
Sat shameless Vice behind, and fann'd her fire, 820
Hell-kindled, heating in it's flames the darts
Deceit had form'd, and Avarice venom'd them
With his cold drugs that petrify the heart.
"These are the Dæmons that pervert the power
Of Love," said Theodore. "The time was once 825
When Love and Happiness went hand in hand,
In that blest aera of the infant world
Ere man had learnt to bow the knee to man.
Was there a youth whom warm affection fill'd,
He spake his honest heart; the earliest fruits 830
His toil produced, the sweetest flowers that deck'd
The sunny bank, he gather'd for the maid,
Nor she disdain'd the gift—for Vice not yet
Had burst the dungeons of her hell, and rear'd
Those artificial boundaries that divide 835
Man from his species. State of blessedness!
Till that ill-omen'd hour when Cain's stern son
Delved in the bowels of the earth for gold,
Accursed bane of virtue! of such force
As poets feign dwelt in the Gorgon's locks, 840
Which whoso saw, felt instant the life-blood
Cold curdle in his veins, the creeping flesh
Grew stiff with horror, and the heart forgot
To beat. Accursed hour! for man no more
To Justice paid his homage, but forsook 845
Her altars, and bow'd down before the shrine
Of Wealth and Power, the Idols he had made.
Then Hell enlarg'd herself, her gates flew wide,
Her legion fiends rush'd forth. Oppression came
Whose frown is desolation, and whose breath 850
Blasts like the Pestilence; and Poverty,
A meagre monster, who with withering touch
Makes barren all the better part of man,
Mother of Miseries; then the goodly earth
Which God had framed for happiness, became 855
One theatre of woe, and all that God
Had given to bless free men, these tyrant fiends
His bitterest curses made. Yet for the best
Hath he ordained all things, the All-wise!
For by experience rous'd shall man at length 860
Dash down his Moloch-gods, Samson-like
And burst his fetters—only strong whilst strong
Believed; then in the bottomless abyss
Oppression shall be chain'd, and Poverty
Die, and with her, her Brood of Miseries; 865
And Virtue and Equality preserve
The reign of Love, and Earth shall once again
Be Paradise, whilst Wisdom shall secure
The state of bliss which Ignorance betrayed."
"Oh age of happiness!" the Maid exclaim'd, 870
"Roll fast thy current, Time till that blest age
Arrive! and happy thou my Theodore,
Permitted thus to see the sacred depths
Of wisdom!"
"Such," the blessed Spirit replied,
"Beloved! such our lot; allowed to range 875
The vast infinity, progressive still
In knowledge, and encreasing blessedness,
This our united portion. Thou hast yet
A little while to sojourn amongst men:
I will be with thee! there shall not a breeze 880
Wanton around thy temples, on whose wing
I will not hover near! and at that hour
When from it's fleshly sepulchre let loose,
Thy phœnix soul shall soar, O best-beloved!
I will be with thee in thine agonies, 885
And welcome thee to life and happiness,
Eternal infinite beatitude!"
"Roll fast thy current, Time till that blest age
Arrive! and happy thou my Theodore,
Permitted thus to see the sacred depths
Of wisdom!"
"Such," the blessed Spirit replied,
"Beloved! such our lot; allowed to range 875
The vast infinity, progressive still
In knowledge, and encreasing blessedness,
This our united portion. Thou hast yet
A little while to sojourn amongst men:
I will be with thee! there shall not a breeze 880
Wanton around thy temples, on whose wing
I will not hover near! and at that hour
When from it's fleshly sepulchre let loose,
Thy phœnix soul shall soar, O best-beloved!
I will be with thee in thine agonies, 885
And welcome thee to life and happiness,
Eternal infinite beatitude!"
He spake, and led her near a straw-roof'd cot,
Love's Palace. By the Virtues circled there,
The cherub listen'd to such melodies,
As aye, when one good deed is register'd 890
Above, re-echo in the halls of Heaven.
Labor was there, his crisp locks floating loose,
Clear was his cheek, and beaming his full eye,
And strong his arm robust; the wood-nymph Health
Still follow'd on his path, and where he trod 895
Fresh flowers and fruits arose. And there was Hope,
The general friend; and Mercy, whose mild eye
Wept o'er the widowed dove; and, loveliest form,
Majestic Chastity, whose sober smile
Delights and awes the soul, a laurel wreath 900
Restrain'd her tresses, and upon her breast
The snow-drop hung its head,[4] that seem'd to grow
Spontaneous, cold and fair: still by the maid
Love went submiss, with eye more dangerous
Than fancied basilisk to wound whoe'er 905
Too bold approached, yet anxious would he read
Her every rising wish, then only pleased
When pleasing. Hymning him the song was rais'd.
Love's Palace. By the Virtues circled there,
The cherub listen'd to such melodies,
As aye, when one good deed is register'd 890
Above, re-echo in the halls of Heaven.
Labor was there, his crisp locks floating loose,
Clear was his cheek, and beaming his full eye,
And strong his arm robust; the wood-nymph Health
Still follow'd on his path, and where he trod 895
Fresh flowers and fruits arose. And there was Hope,
The general friend; and Mercy, whose mild eye
Wept o'er the widowed dove; and, loveliest form,
Majestic Chastity, whose sober smile
Delights and awes the soul, a laurel wreath 900
Restrain'd her tresses, and upon her breast
The snow-drop hung its head,[4] that seem'd to grow
Spontaneous, cold and fair: still by the maid
Love went submiss, with eye more dangerous
Than fancied basilisk to wound whoe'er 905
Too bold approached, yet anxious would he read
Her every rising wish, then only pleased
When pleasing. Hymning him the song was rais'd.
"Glory to thee whose vivifying power
Pervades all Nature's universal frame! 910
Glory to thee Creator Love! to thee,
Parent of all the smiling Charities,
That strew the thorny path of Life with flowers!
Glory to thee Preserver! to thy praise
The awakened Woodlands echo all the day 915
Their living melody; and warbling forth
To thee her twilight song, the Nightingale
Holds the lone Traveller from his way, or charms
The listening Poet's ear. Where Love shall deign
To fix his seat, there blameless Pleasure sheds 920
Her roseate dews; Content will sojourn there,
And Happiness behold Affection's eye
Gleam with the Mother's smile. Thrice happy he
Who feels thy holy power! he shall not drag,
Forlorn and friendless, along Life's long path 925
To Age's drear abode; he shall not waste
The bitter evening of his days unsooth'd;
But Hope shall cheer his hours of Solitude,
And Vice shall vainly strive to wound his breast,
That bears that talisman; and when he meets 930
The eloquent eye of Tenderness, and hears
The bosom-thrilling music of her voice;
The joy he feels shall purify his Soul,
And imp it for anticipated Heaven."
Pervades all Nature's universal frame! 910
Glory to thee Creator Love! to thee,
Parent of all the smiling Charities,
That strew the thorny path of Life with flowers!
Glory to thee Preserver! to thy praise
The awakened Woodlands echo all the day 915
Their living melody; and warbling forth
To thee her twilight song, the Nightingale
Holds the lone Traveller from his way, or charms
The listening Poet's ear. Where Love shall deign
To fix his seat, there blameless Pleasure sheds 920
Her roseate dews; Content will sojourn there,
And Happiness behold Affection's eye
Gleam with the Mother's smile. Thrice happy he
Who feels thy holy power! he shall not drag,
Forlorn and friendless, along Life's long path 925
To Age's drear abode; he shall not waste
The bitter evening of his days unsooth'd;
But Hope shall cheer his hours of Solitude,
And Vice shall vainly strive to wound his breast,
That bears that talisman; and when he meets 930
The eloquent eye of Tenderness, and hears
The bosom-thrilling music of her voice;
The joy he feels shall purify his Soul,
And imp it for anticipated Heaven."
- ↑ Line 29. The Bastille.
- ↑ Line 223. This thought is taken from Goethe's Sorrows of Werter.
- ↑ Line 709. During the siege of Jerusalem, "the Roman commander, with a generous clemency, that inseparable attendant on true heroism, laboured incessantly, and to the very last moment, to preserve the place. With this view, he again and again intreated the tyrants to surrender and save their lives. With the same view also, after carrying the second wall, the siege was intermitted four days: to rouse their fears, prisoners, to the number of five hundred, or more were crucified daily before the walls; till space, Josephus says, was wanting for the crosses, and crosses for the captives."
If any of my readers should enquire why Titus Vespasian, the Delight of Mankind, is placed in such a situation.—I answer, for "his generous clemency, that inseparable attendant on true heroism!
From the Bampton Lectures of Ralph Churton.
- ↑ Line 902. "The grave matron does not perceive how time has impaired her charms, but decks her faded bosom with the same snow-drop that seems to grow on the breast of the Virgin." P.H.