Page:Shelley, a poem, with other writings (Thomson, Debell).djvu/22

Throughout the whole sphere-throbbing vastitude
   Deep silence followed when that great voice ended;
Even the music of the multitude
   Of all their rhythmic revolutions blended,
   The ever-rolling music, seemed suspended:
And I then dared to lift my awe-shut eyes
And search for him who spoke throughout the skies.

Search for the moon of night, the sun of day!—
   In centre of the universal round
A broad and steadfast disc of splendour lay;
   Fit field for him who stood upon its ground,
   The solemn angel with pure glory crowned,—
His right hand raised, his countenance divine
Intently listening through the hyaline.

From far, far, far, far even in that vast,
   A voice came trembling ravishingly sweet—
"O Raphael beloved of God! the last
   And meanest of the spirits who repeat
   Eternal praises round the Judgment-Seat
Implores that he, if none of greater worth,
May sing the self-same praises on that earth."

A pure joy lighted up great Raphael's face
   As then he gestured "Hither!"; and there came
A star-like speck from out the bounds of space
   With swift and swerveless flight to reach its aim;
   Developing into a tongue of flame,
Until it stood upon that field of light
A fervent Seraph beautiful and bright.