A PASSING YEAR.
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And see a fiery madness, that would blast
God's Miracle of Freedom, kindling fast."
God's Miracle of Freedom, kindling fast."
He fixed a dark, wild look
On his celestial watcher, as in hate;
Then grasped him, till his passionless grandeur shook,
And muttered: "Spirit, see the fate of fate
I've left upon mortality's estate.
And thou didst suffer all this ruin, thou
Whose office was to warn me; 'tis too late
For me to give thee these reproaches now,
For I am growing cold—my deeds are done,
And thou shouldst blush for them, thou guilty one.
On his celestial watcher, as in hate;
Then grasped him, till his passionless grandeur shook,
And muttered: "Spirit, see the fate of fate
I've left upon mortality's estate.
And thou didst suffer all this ruin, thou
Whose office was to warn me; 'tis too late
For me to give thee these reproaches now,
For I am growing cold—my deeds are done,
And thou shouldst blush for them, thou guilty one.
"I tell thee, thou shalt hear—
For, Guardian Angel of the Years, I swear
Thou art a traitor to thy God! And fear
A traitor's fate, if thou again shalt dare
Neglect thy task. Then aid him who shall bear
The sceptre I resign to quench all wrong,
And kindle right—or, when I meet thee where
None may evade the truth, my oath, as strong
As aught except thy brother Lucifer's curse,
Shall drag thee down to share his doom or worse!
For, Guardian Angel of the Years, I swear
Thou art a traitor to thy God! And fear
A traitor's fate, if thou again shalt dare
Neglect thy task. Then aid him who shall bear
The sceptre I resign to quench all wrong,
And kindle right—or, when I meet thee where
None may evade the truth, my oath, as strong
As aught except thy brother Lucifer's curse,
Shall drag thee down to share his doom or worse!