Page:Poems David.djvu/116

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
104
the fall of lucifer.
And fiercely faced the Mighty Lord, whose home
He should have served, not turned aside.
As rang that haughty voice thus far and wide,
Thro' heaven's vaulted arch, there passed a breath,
As though the cold pale angel lip of death
Forsaw that hour the seed the day would bear,
And formed that moment all his fatal snare.
The new earth trembled, wither'd then the leaves
Came quivering down, as thro' the silent eve,
Vague as waking dream, yet creeping near:
First came to earth, the fatal feeling, fear!
Yet e'er he spoke, the future fiend survey'd
His angel army proudly thus array'd.—
The rebel cherubim, whose woe or weal
His turn of fortune should to them reveal!
"Oh! Mighty Being!—who from fiery flame
Did'st as Thy ministers the angel frame.
Hast Thou not a new and beauteous care
E'en in all this fresh formed earth can bear?
Thou bid'st us serve, the stranger being man
Bown down before.—Hold, all Thy mighty plan
Shall be as the vain crumbling clay and dust;
In which so bravely Thou dost surely trust!
Behold my army, fear'st Thou not indeed,
When all the powers of Thy realms are freed?
And as the mountain torrent from the steep