Page:Poetical Remains.pdf/235

His eye was bright, and yet the pale repose
Of his pure features half o'erawed the mind,
Telling of inward mysteries—joys and woes
In lone recesses of the soul enshrined;
Depths of a being sealed and severed from mankind.

Yes!—what was earth to him, whose spirit passed
Time's utmost bounds?—on whose unshrinking sight
Ten thousand shapes of burning glory cast
Their full resplendence?—Majesty and might
Were in his dreams;—for him the veil of light
Shrouding Heaven's inmost sanctuary and throne,
The curtain of th' unutterably bright
Was raised!—to him, in fearful splendour shown,
Ancient of Days! e'en Thou, mad'st thy dread presence known.

He spoke:—the shadows of the things to come
Passed o'er his soul:—"O King, elate in pride!
God hath sent forth the writing of thy doom,
The one, the living God by thee defied!