s: So the dark horde was marshalled; throng after throng, in


s: thousands, hasted thither, a countless host.  They were resolved,


s: (ll. 200-208) Then a sound of wailing arose in the camp, an


s: evening-song of woe.  A great fear was upon them; the nets of


s: death encompassed them about.  The fatal tidings flew abroad;


s: tumult arose.  The foe were resolute, a horde in armour gleaming,


s: and hateful multitude, so that no more might one behold another's


s: (ll. 209-220) All that long night the fugitives had respite,


s: though foes beset them upon either hand, on the one side that


s: great host, on the other side the sea.  They had no way of escape


s: shining armour with foreboding of ill.  And all the band of


s: kinsmen watched and waited for the coming of the greater host


s: until the dawn, when Moses bade the earls with brazen trumpets


s: muster the folk, bade warriors rise and don their coats of mail,


s: bear shining arms, take thought on valour, and summon the


s: multitude with signal-beacons unto the sandy shore of the sea.


s: (ll. 220-232) The leaders bold obeyed the battle-signal; the host


s: their tents upon the hills.  The army was astir.  They numbered


s: off twelve companies of valiant men to form the van of battle


s: against their foes' grim wrath.  The host was in an uproar.  From


s: under shield, the flower of the folk.  And every cohort of that


s: famous army was of a thousand warriors, far-famed wielders of the


s: (ll. 232-251) That was a warlike band.  The leaders of the army


s: welcomed not among that number the weak, who yet because of youth


s: who never yet had known the baleful thrust, the bitter wound, the


s: Nor might the aged, grey-haired warriors be of service in the


s: battle if their strength had failed them.  But according to their


s: would endure with honour among men, and their strength suffice to


s: mustered, and ready to advance.  Their banner rose on high, a


s: gleaming column, and all abode there nigh unto the sea until


s: their guiding beacon pierced the clouds, and shone upon their


s: (ll. 252-258) Then a herald rose before the warriors, a valiant


s: leader, and, lifting up his shield, he bade the captains of the


s: host make silence, that all the multitude might hear the words of


s: with holy voice unto his legions.  The leader of the host in


s: (ll. 259-275) "Be not afraid though Pharaoh leadeth hither this


s: mighty host of sword-men, a multitude of earls.  Upon them all


s: this day Almighty God will give requital by my hand, that they


s: may live no longer to vex the tribes of Israel with woe.  Ye


s: shall not dread doomed armies and dead men.  Their fleeting life


s: hath run unto the end.  The knowledge of God hath vanished from


s: your hearts.  I give you better counsel, to serve the God of


s: glory, and pray the Lord of life for victory and grace and


s: safety, wherever ye may journey.  He is the Eternal God of


s: Abraham, Creation's Lord, magnanimous and mighty, who with His


s: (ll. 276-298) Then the lord of men spake with a loud voice before


s: eyes and behold a marvel!  In my right hand grasping this green


s: rod I smote the ocean depths.  The waves rise up; the waters form


s: army-roads, ancient foundations (never have I heard in all the


s: world that men before set foot thereon), shining plains,


s: imprisoned deep sea-bottoms over which of old the great waves


s: foamed.  The south wind, breath of the ocean, hath driven them


s: back.  The sea is cleft asunder; the ebbing waters spewed up


s: sand.  Well I know Almighty God hath showed you mercy, ye


s: bronze-clad earls.  Most haste is best now, that ye may escape


s: the clutch of foes since God hath reared a rampart of the red


s: seastreams.  These walls are fairly builded to the roof of


s: (ll. 299-309) And after these words the multitude arose, the host


s: against the Israelites the wall of water stood firm and upright


s: for the space of one whole day.  Of one mind was that company of


s: earls.  The wall of water shielded them with sure defence.  In no


s: deeds drew near, when the words of their well-loved lord were


s: ended, and the voice of his eloquence was still.


s: (ll. 310-318) The fourth tribe led the way, a throng of warriors,


s: them glory of triumphant deeds, that they might have dominion


s: (ll. 319-330) As they descended on the oceanbottom that mighty


s: tribe had lifted up their standard mid the spear-host, high above


s: beasts.  Not long would they endure oppression by the lord of any


s: the weapon-struggle, fearless fighters, bloody wounds and clash


s: of helmets, onrush of a battle-host, as Judah's sons advanced.


s: (ll. 331-339) Behind that army proudly marched the seamen, sons


s: of Reuben; the vikings bore their bucklers over the salt


s: sea-marsh, a multitude of men, a mighty legion, advancing


s: unafraid.  For his sin's sake Reuben yielded his dominion and


s: marched behind his kinsmen.  From him his brother took his right


s: as first-born in the tribe, his eminence and wealth.  Yet was he


s: (ll. 340-253) And after them with thronging bands the sons of


s: Simeon marched, the third division.  Banners waved above the


s: marching warriors; with flashing spears the battle troop pressed


s: on.  Over the ocean's bosom dawn arose, God's beacon, radiant


s: morning.  The multitude went forth, the host advanced, one


s: mail-clad band behind another.  And one man only led this mighty


s: folk, tribe after tribe, upon their march beneath the pillar of


s: cloud, whereby he won renown.  And each observed the right of


s: nations and the rank of earls, as Moses gave them bidding.


s: (ll. 253-361) One father had they all, one of the patriarchs, a


s: well-loved leader, wise of heart and dear unto his kinsmen, who


s: held the landright and begat a line of valiant men, the tribe of


s: Israel, a holy race, God's own peculiar people.  So ancient


s: writers tell us in their wisdom, who best have known the lineage


s: (ll. 362-376) Noah, the great prince, sailed over unknown waters,


s: with him.  Within his heart he cherished holy faith.  Wherefore


s: he steered across the oceanstreams the richest treasure whereof I


s: (ll. 377-396) Now Abraham's father, as the wise men tell us, was


s: ninth from Noah in lineage and descent.  This is the Abraham the


s: God of angels named with a name, and gave the holy tribes into


s: his keeping, far and near, and made him mighty over nations.  He


s: lived in exile.  Thereafter, at the Holy One's behest, he took


s: the lad, most dear of all to him, and they two, son and father,


s: climbed together a high land unto the hill of Sion.  And there,


s: so men have heard, they found a covenant and holy pledge, and saw


s: great king, the wisest of all earthly princes, according to the


s: teaching of the prophets, built a temple unto God, a holy fane,


s: the holiest and highest and most famous among men, the greatest


s: and most splendid of all temples the sons of men have built upon


s: (ll. 397-416) Abraham took Isaac, his son, and went to the place


s: appointed, and kindled the altar flame.  The first of murderers


s: was not more doomed.  As a bequest to men he would have


s: sacrificed his well-loved son with fire and flame, his only heir


s: on earth, the best of children, the lasting hope and comfort of


s: his life, for which he long had waited.  The farfamed man laid


s: hand upon the lad and drew his ancient sword (loud rang the


s: blade), and showed he held his son's life not more dear than to


s: obey the King of heaven.  Up rose the earl.  He would have slain


s: his son, and put the lad to death with blood-red blade, if God


s: had not withheld him.  The Glorious Father would not take his son


s: (ll. 417-445) "Abraham!  Put not the lad, thy son, to death, nor


s: slay him with the sword!  The Lord of all hath proven thee, and


s: truth is known, that thou hast kept the covenant with God, a


s: faithful compact.  And that shall be to thee an everlasting peace


s: require a greater pledge?  Heaven and earth may not cover the


s: words of His glory, which are ampler and greater than the regions


s: above, the ocean depths and the murmuring air.  The King of


s: angels and Wielder of fates, Lord of hosts, Dispenser of victory,


s: wisdom shall never know the number of thy tribe and kinsmen,


s: shield-bearing men, to tell it truly, except someone shall grow


s: so wise of heart that he alone may number all the stones on earth


s: fathers, shall dwell in the land of Canaan between the two seas


s: (ll. 446-457) Then all that folk was smitten with terror; fear of


s: threatened death.  The sloping hills were soaked with blood; the


s: sea spewed gore.  In the deep was uproar, the waves were filled


s: away in fear, perceiving their peril.  They were shaken with


s: horror and fain to reach their homes.  Their boasting was


s: humbled.  The dreadful rushing sea swept over them.  Nor did any


s: of that army come ever again to their homes, but Fate cut off


s: (ll. 457-470) Where before lay open roads the ocean raged.  The


s: host was overwhelmed.  The seas flowed forth; an uproar rose to


s: heaven, a moan of mighty legions.  There rose a great cry of the


s: doomed, and over them the air grew dark.  Blood dyed the deep.


s: The walls of water were shattered; the greatest of sea-deaths


s: lashed the heavens.  Brave princes died in throngs.  At the sea's


s: wall of water, the mighty sea-stream, rushed over the heroes.


s: The multitude was fettered fast in death, deprived of escape,


s: cunningly bound.  The ocean-sands awaited the doom ordained when


s: the flowing billows, the ice-cold, wandering sea with its salt


s: waves, a naked messenger of ill, a hostile warrior smiting down


s: its foes, should come again to seek its ancient bed.


s: (ll. 470-491) The blue air was defiled with blood.  The roaring


s: ocean menaced the march of the seamen with terror of death, till


s: the Just God swept the warriors away by Moses' hand.  The flood


s: foamed, hunting them afar, bearing them off in its deadly


s: embrace.  The doomed men died.  The sea fell on the land; the


s: skies were shaken.  The watery ramparts crumbled, the great waves


s: Lord of heaven with holy hand smote the warriors and that haughty


s: of the ocean-flood, but it destroyed the multitude in shrieking


s: terror.  The raging ocean rose on high; its waters passed over


s: them.  A madness of fear was upon them; deathwounds bled.  The


s: high walls, fashioned by the hand of God, fell in upon the


s: (ll. 491-515) With ancient sword the foamy-bosomed ocean smote


s: down the watery wall, the unprotecting ramparts, and at the blow


s: of death the great host fell asleep, a sinful throng.  Fast shut


s: in they lost their lives, an army pale with terror of the flood,


s: when the brown waste of waters, the raging waves, broke over


s: mighty multitude, was drowned.  The foe of God discovered as he


s: sank that the Lord of the ocean-floods was mightier than he, and,


s: came any survivor of all that countless host unto his home again


s: to tell of his journey or rehearse to the wives of heroes,


s: throughout the cities, the grievous tidings, the death of their


s: treasure-wardens; but a mighty sea-death came upon them all and


s: swallowed their legions, and slew their heralds, and humbled


s: their boasting.  For they had striven against God!


s: (ll. 516-531) Then on the shore of the sea Moses, the


s: noble-hearted, preached to the Israelites, in holy words, eternal


s: still men find in Scripture every law which God, in words of


s: truth, gave Moses on that journey.  If life's interpreter, the


s: radiant soul within the breast, will unlock with the keys of the


s: spirit this lasting good, that which is dark shall be made clear,


s: keeping, earnestly teaching the heart, that we may not lack the


s: fellowship of God, or mercy of our Lord.  He giveth us, as


s: learned writers say, the better and more lasting joys of heaven.


s: (ll. 531-547) This earthly joy is fleeting, cursed with sin,


s: apportioned unto exiles, a little time of wretched waiting.


s: Homeless we tarry at this inn with sorrow, mourning in spirit,


s: mindful of the house of pain beneath the earth wherein are fire


s: and the worm, the pit of every evil ever open.  So now


s: arch-sinners win old age or early death; then cometh the Day of


s: Judgment, the greatest of all glories in the world, a day of


s: wrath upon the deeds of men.  The Lord Himself, in the assembly,


s: shall judge the multitude.  Then shall He lead the souls of the


s: righteous, blessed spirits, to heaven above, wherein are light


s: and life and joy of bliss.  In blessedness that host shall praise


s: (ll. 548-552) So spake the mildest of men, in a loud voice,


s: mindful of counsel, and made great in strength.  In silence the


s: host awaited his fixed will, perceiving the wonder, the hero's


s: words of goodly wisdom.  And he spake unto the throng and said:


s: (ll. 553-563) "Mighty is this multitude and great our Leader, a


s: strong Support who governeth our march.  He hath given the tribes


s: wide-stretching realms.  If ye will keep His holy precepts, the


s: Lord of angels will fulfil the promise which He sware to our


s: forefathers, in days of old--that ye shall vanquish every foe


s: and hold in victory the banquet hails of heroes between the two


s: (ll. 564-579) And at these words the host was glad.  The trumpets


s: joyous music.  The folk had reached the land.  The pillar of


s: glory had led the host, the holy legions, under God's sheltering


s: hand.  They rejoiced that their lives were saved from the clutch


s: of the foe, though boldly had those warriors ventured under the


s: roof of the waves.  They beheld the walls upstanding.  All the


s: seas seemed bloody unto them through which they bore their


s: armour.  They rejoiced with a song of battle that they were safe.


s: that great work.  The mighty host in chorus, man and maiden, sang


s: (ll. 580-590) Then could be seen on the shore of the sea African


s: maidens adorned with gold.  They raised their hands in thanks for


s: took heed of the spoils; their bonds were broken.  On the


s: sea-shore they dealt out the booty among the standards, ancient


s: treasure and raiment and shields.  They divided the gold and the


s: woven cloth, the treasure of Joseph, the riches of men.  But


s: their foes, the greatest of armies, lay still in that place of


s: (ll. 1-21) In Jerusalem, as I have heard, the Hebrews prospered,


s: dispensing treasure and holding kingly sway, as well was meet,


s: when by the might of God the host and all the battle legion were


s: given into Moses' hand, and in a multitude they got them forth


s: their realm and sway their cities!  As long as they kept the


s: covenant of their fathers, great was their prosperity!  And God,


s: the Warden of the heavenly kingdom, the Holy Lord, the Prince of


s: glory, the Lord of every creature, watched over them, and gave


s: them strength and courage, so that in war they conquered many


s: nations who rose against them, until at last pride came upon them


s: they forsook the teachings of their law, and the might of God.


s: So should no man sunder his soul's love from God.


s: (ll. 22-32) Then I beheld that nation walking in ways of error,


s: the tribe of Israel following after sin, and doing evil.  That


s: was a grief to God!  The Warden of the heavenly kingdom oft sent


s: His holy prophets, proclaiming knowledge to the people, and


s: wisdom to the host.  A little time they trusted in His counsels,


s: till longing for the joys of earth defrauded them of lasting


s: wisdom, and in the end they turned them from the laws of God, and


s: (ll. 33-56) Then the Lord became displeased and angered with that


s: once were dearest of mankind to God, dearest of all peoples and


s: best loved of the Lord, He had showed a highway to their lofty


s: city and their native land, where Salem stood, wailed round about


s: people, came up against the city within whose walls their wealth


s: was stored.  A host rose up to smite them, a great army, eager


s: for deeds of blood.  Nebuchadnezzar, the lord of men and prince


s: of Babylon, stirred up strife against them in his city.  In


s: enmity he searched the thoughts of his heart how he most easily


s: could smite the Israelites and take them captive.  From south and


s: heathen princes against that lofty town.  The rulers of Israel


s: prospered as long as the Lord would let them!


s: (ll. 57-78) Then, as I have heard, these mortal foes, a host of


s: unbelievers, sacked their city.  From Solomon's temple, that


s: They plundered the treasure under the walls of stone, all such as


s: stronghold which stood for a protection to that people.  They


s: carried off as spoil the treasure of princes, as much as was


s: found there, cattle and men; and so returned, with great


s: possessions, over the eastern roads, leading the tribe of Israel,


s: of heathen judges.  And Nebuchadnezzar showed no pity on the


s: tribe of Israel, but made them subject unto him to be his slaves,


s: his thanes into the west to take possession of their kingdom and


s: (ll. 79-87) He bade his prefects seek among the wretched remnant


s: of the tribe of Israel which of the young men they had brought


s: there were wisest in the books of the law.  He wished the youths


s: to grow in knowledge, that they might teach him wisdom, but not


s: at all because he could or would be mindful to thank God for all


s: the gifts which He had given him to his comfort.


s: (ll. 88-103) And they found three wise and noble youths, devout


s: and young, and with the fear of God.  One was Hananiah; the


s: second, Azariah; the third was Mishael, chosen of the Lord.


s: Stout of heart and thoughtful-minded the young men came before


s: the king, where the heathen ruler sat rejoicing in his splendour


s: in the city of the Chaldeans.  And the Hebrew men with holy


s: hearts spake words of wisdom and great learning unto the proud


s: prince.  Then the lord of Babylon, the haughty king, bade his


s: thanes and princes on their lives see to it that the three youths


s: (ll. 104-115) Now the famous lord of Babylon was great and


s: glorious over all the earth, and terrible to the sons of men.  He


s: a terrible dream that hovered about his heart, how wondrously the


s: Truth was revealed as he slumbered, that there would come a


s: bitter end to every rule and to the joys of earth.


s: (ll. 116-129) Then the wolf-hearted lord of Babylon awoke from


s: his wine-flushed slumber.  His heart was not blithe; but a fear


s: was upon him, and dread of the dream.  Yet he could not recall


s: what the vision had been.  And he summoned his people, all such


s: as were skilled in magic, and asked the men so gathered what his


s: dream had been, while men lay sleeping.  He was shaken with


s: terror and knew no beginning nor word of the dream; but he bade


s: them tell it to him.  Troubled, the sorcerers answered (for


s: wisdom was not given them to tell his dream unto the king):


s: (ll. 130-133) "How may we divine so secret a thing in thy soul, O


s: Fate's decrees, except thou tell us first the beginning of thy


s: (ll. 134-144) And the wolf-hearted king was vexed, and answered


s: his wise men: "Ye were not so wise above all men as ye told me,


s: saying ye knew my fate as it should fall, or I should find it in


s: the future, nor do ye know the dream that bringeth wisdom before


s: this people.  Ye shall die the death except I know the import of


s: the dream that lieth heavy on my heart."


s: (ll. 145-157) But the company there gathered might not divine or


s: search out knowledge, for it was denied them to tell the king his


s: and righteous, and beloved of God, came to the palace to


s: interpret the vision.  He had pre-eminence among that wretched


s: remnant who needs must serve the heathen king.  God gave him


s: grace from heaven through the communion of the Holy Spirit; and


s: an angel of the Lord rehearsed to him all the dream, even as the


s: (ll. 158-177) Then went Daniel at the dawn of day to tell the


s: dream unto his lord, recounting wisely the decrees of fate; and


s: soon the haughty king knew all the dream, its end and its


s: beginning, that he had dreamed.  And Daniel had great honour and


s: reward in Babylon among the scribes, after he showed the dream


s: unto the king which the prince of Babylon had not been able to


s: remember because of his sins.  Yet could not Daniel bring him to


s: believe in the might of God, but he began to build an idol in the


s: Babylonians.  The city-warden, the ruler of the realm, reared an


s: idol before men, a golden image displeasing unto God; he was not


s: wise, but redeless, reckless, heeding not the right....


s: (ll. 178-187) The warriors listened; and when the sound of the


s: voice of the trumpet came to the city-dwellers, the heathen


s: people fell upon their knees before the image, and bowed them


s: down before the idol, and worshipped it, knowing no better


s: wisdom.  Wickedness they wrought and sin, with hearts perverted,


s: even as their king.  As their lord before them, the people turned


s: (ll. 188-208) Now there were three men of Israel in the city of


s: the king who would not heed their lord's decree, nor offer up


s: their prayers unto the idol, though trumpets sang aloud among the


s: The royal youths gave men to know they would not have or hold the


s: souls, who granted them His grace.  Oft they said boldly that


s: they recked naught of the idol, nor could the leader of the


s: heathen people constrain them unto prayer, nor compel them to go


s: before the golden image which he had set up as a god.  These


s: thanes said unto their lord that this was their resolve: that


s: they were subject to a higher power in this lofty city, "nor will


s: (ll. 209-223) Then the prince of Babylon was angered with them,


s: and in wrath gave them savage answer: grimly said that they


s: should quickly worship, or suffer pain and torture, the cruel


s: surge of flame, except they sought protection of that worst of


s: demons, the golden image which he had made his god.  Yet would


s: the youths not hearken in their hearts unto his heathen counsels.


s: Lord of hosts, lest that their virtue turn to heathen folly.


s: They had no longing to seek shelter with false gods, though


s: (ll. 224-241) Then the fierce king was moved to anger, and bade


s: them kindle a furnace to torture the youths to death, because


s: they withstood his will.  The furnace was heated, as fiercely as


s: might be, with cruel flames of fire.  And the lord of Babylon,


s: savage and grim, assembled the people, and bade his servants bind


s: He was ready who wrought them help!  Though the prince so


s: fiercely thrust them into the heart of the flame, yet a mighty


s: messenger of God preserved their lives, and brought them help


s: from heaven, as many learned.  From heaven above the Gracious


s: Lord of men sent unto them His Holy Spirit.  An angel passed


s: within the furnace, wherein they suffered torment, and covered


s: the noble youths with sheltering arms under the roof of fire.


s: And the heat of the quivering flame could not mar their beauty;


s: (ll. 242-250) Then the heart of the heathen prince was hardened;


s: he bade them quickly be burned with fire.  The flame rose high,


s: the furnace was heated; through and through the iron glowed.


s: Many a slave cast wood therein according to command.  Brands they


s: (ll. 251-268) The flame passed by the holy men and fell upon


s: their heathen foes.  The youths were blithe of heart!  Round


s: about the furnace burned the slaves; the fire took hold upon


s: those evil men to their hurt, and the prince of Babylon beheld


s: it.  Blithe were the Hebrew earls, praying to God with zeal and


s: gladness in the furnace, offering their accustomed praise,


s: because their lives were spared.  With joyful hearts they


s: worshipped God, in whose protection the fierce heat of the flame


s: was turned away.  The noble youths were sheltered from the


s: flames' assault, and suffered naught of evil.  The roaring


s: furnace was no more grievous unto them than the shining of the


s: sun.  The fire harmed them not, but in their hour of danger the


s: flames passed over them, and fell on those who did them evil.


s: The heathen slaves departed from the holy youths.  And the beauty


s: (ll. 269-278) Now when the haughty king beheld how in that


s: torture a miracle was come to pass, and believed his senses, it


s: seemed to him a wondrous thing.  The righteous men, all three,


s: were walking unharmed in the fiery furnace, and one was seen


s: there walking with them, an angel of Almighty God.  No whit of


s: harm had come upon them, but within the furnace it was most like


s: as when in the summer season the sun shineth, and the dewfall


s: cometh at dawn, scattered by the wind.  It was the God of glory


s: (ll. 279-282) Then in the hot flame the holy Azariah,


s: eager-hearted, sang an inspired hymn. The sinless man praised God


s: (ll. 283-295) "O Lord of all!  Thy might is strong to save!


s: Excellent is Thy name in all the earth, sublime and great in


s: glory!  Thy laws are always sure and just and mighty, even as


s: Thou art mighty.  Wise and righteous is Thy will, O Lord of


s: heaven!  O God of spirits, grant us help and favour!  Save us, O


s: Holy Lord!  Wrapped in flame, we pray Thee for Thy mercy on our


s: (ll. 295-308) "As we have wrought, so hath it come to pass.  Our


s: fathers also, city-dwellers, in pride have sinned, and broken Thy


s: many lands and under many peoples our life is infamous and vile,


s: and we are subject to the worst of earthly kings, and captive to


s: grim-hearted men; in heathen lands we suffer thraldom.


s: (ll. 309-332) "Thanks be to Thee, O Lord of hosts!  that Thou


s: hast laid this punishment upon us.  Forsake us not, O Lord


s: Eternal, for Thy mercy's sake which men attribute unto Thee, and


s: for the covenant, O Lord of glory, Shaper of spirits, Saviour of


s: men!  which Thou didst give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.


s: Thou didst promise them in days of old that Thou wouldest bless


s: their seed, and that a mighty nation should be born of them, a


s: race to be exalted as the stars of heaven that trace their


s: wandering courses even to the strand of ocean, and the sands of


s: the sea-shore that form the foundations of the deep throughout


s: the salt sea; even so should they be numberless for untold years.


s: forth Thy glory and Thy word upon us!  Make known Thy strength


s: and power, that the Chaldean race and many nations living heathen


s: Eternal God, Wielder of victory, Lord of hosts and all creation,


s: (ll. 333-344) So the holy men praised the loving-kindness of the


s: Lord, rehearsing the strength of His might.  Then was a gleaming


s: angel sent from heaven above, with shining face and clothed in


s: glory, who came to comfort and deliver them with loving favour.


s: Holy and heavenly bright, he cast aside the blaze of the hot


s: flame; with mighty strength he swept away and quenched the flame


s: of fire so that their bodies were not harmed a whir.  But in his


s: wrath he hurled the fire upon their foes, because of their deeds


s: (ll. 345-361) Then in the furnace, when the angel came, the air


s: was cool and pleasant, most like the weather in the summer


s: season, when rain falleth during the day and warm showers from


s: the clouds.  As is the best of weather, so was it in the furnace


s: for their comfort through the holy might of God. The burning


s: flame was quenched and scattered where Hananiah, Azariah, and


s: Mishael, with brave hearts, were walking in the furnace, and the


s: angel with them who preserved their lives, who was the fourth.


s: Devout of heart, the three youths praised the Lord, and called


s: upon the sons of Israel and all created things of earth to bless


s: the Everlasting God, the Lord of nations. With understanding


s: (ll. 362-408) "O let the beauty of the world, and all Thy works,


s: bless Thee, our Gracious Father, the heavens and all the angels,


s: and the shining waters!  Let all, who in Thy great creation dwell


s: moon, praise Thee in their degree.  Let the stars of heaven, and


s: dew and the fierce storm, praise Thee.  O let the souls of men


s: bless the Lord of might!  Let burning fire and radiant summer


s: praise Thee.  Let night and day and all lands, light and


s: darkness, heat and cold, praise Thee in their degree.  Let frost


s: and snow and wintry weather and the flying clouds bless the Lord


s: of might!  Let the swift, shining lightnings bless Thee!  Let all


s: sea-waves and ocean, and the welling springs, praise the


s: Everlasting God, the Righteous Lord!  Let the whales, and the


s: birds of the air that fly in the heavens, praise Thee.  Let all


s: that move in the water, wild beasts and all cattle, bless Thy


s: name!  Let all men praise Thee, yea!  let Israel bless the Lord,


s: who giveth all good things.  Let holy men of heart, the spirits


s: and souls of the righteous, praise the Everlasting God, the Lord


s: of life, who giveth a reward to all.  Let Hananiah and Azariah


s: and Mishael praise the Lord!  We worship Thee and bless Thee,


s: Lord of men, Almighty Father, and Thee, True Son of God, Saviour


s: of souls and Helper of mankind, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, the God


s: of wisdom.  We praise Thee, Holy Lord, and worship Thee with


s: prayer.  Blessed art Thou, and adorned with holy might for ever,


s: above the world's roof reigning King of heaven, and Lord of life


s: (ll. 409-415) Then Nebuchadnezzar, the lord of that people, spake


s: flames.  And now, in truth, I see four men therein, except my


s: (ll. 416-429) Then spake a counsellor of the king, wise of heart


s: and prudent of speech: "This is some marvel which we behold with


s: our eyes.  Bethink thee now, my lord, of what is fitting.  Know


s: who it is hath showed this grace upon the youths.  They worship


s: One Eternal God, and call on Him with zeal by every name.  With


s: eager words they praise His Majesty, and say that He alone is God


s: men forth from out the furnace, prince of the Chaldeans!  In no


s: wise is it well that they should linger in that torture longer


s: (ll. 430-439) Then the king bade the young men come before him.


s: Boldly the noble youths obeyed His word and came as they were


s: bidden.  The young men rose and went before the heathen king.


s: Their fetters were burned away and the bonds of the king which


s: were laid upon them, but their bodies were saved from harm.  For


s: their beauty was no wise injured, nor was any harm come upon


s: their garments, nor their hair singed by the fire, but in God's


s: protection they came forth gladly from that gruesome horror, wise


s: (ll. 440-457) Then the angel, a faithful servant to the Holy


s: Lord, departed up to seek eternal bliss on the high roof of the


s: heavenly kingdom.  And by that marvel he had honoured those who


s: had deserved it.  The young men praised the Lord before the


s: heathen host, exhorting them with words of truth, rehearsing many


s: lord of Babylon, the haughty king, decreed among his people that


s: he was guilty unto death whoso denied this was a glorious God of


s: might who freed them from that death.  He gave back unto God the


s: remnants of His captive people and granted favour to his olden


s: foes.  And their prosperity in Babylon was great and their fame


s: was known throughout the nation, after they endured that trial by


s: God, the Holy Warden of the heavenly kingdom, had shielded them


s: (ll. 458-471) Then, as I have heard, when the lord of Babylon


s: perceived the marvel that was come to pass within the flames, he


s: was fain to know how the youths had passed through the blaze of


s: fire, and overwon the terror of the heated furnace and the


s: flames, so that the fury of the burning brands and raging furnace


s: shielded them against that fearful peril.  And the prince


s: commanded a council, and summoned his people, and there, before


s: the multitude so gathered, rehearsed the event as it had come to


s: pass, and the miracle of God made known upon the youths:


s: (ll. 472-485) "Consider now the holy might and wondrous works of


s: God.  We saw how He shielded the young men in the furnace from


s: death and the leaping flames, because they served Him.  He only


s: is the Lord, Eternal and Almighty, who gives them glory and


s: abundant weal who preach His gospel.  And He reveals Himself by


s: many a wonder to holy hearts who seek His favour.  It is well


s: known that Daniel showed me the interpretation of a secret dream,


s: because Almighty God had given him an understanding spirit in his


s: (ll. 486-494) So spake the leader of the host, the lord of


s: Babylon, when he perceived the miracle and God's clear token.


s: And yet he wrought no whit the better; pride ruled the prince.


s: His heart was insolent and the thoughts of his heart were


s: thoughts of pride, more than was meet, until the Lord Almighty


s: humbled him, as He humbleth many who walk with arrogance.


s: (ll. 495-522) Now a dream came unto Nebuchadnezzar in his sleep


s: and troubled him.  It seemed to him that there stood a tree upon


s: the earth, wondrous fair, deeply rooted and gleaming with fruit.


s: Nor was it like to other trees, but it towered unto the stars of


s: heaven, so that it overshadowed the regions of the world and all


s: the earth with its boughs and branches, even unto the shores of


s: the sea.  And as he gazed it seemed to him that the tree made


s: shelter for the wild beasts, and that it held food for them all,


s: and likewise that the birds of the air found sustenance in the


s: fruit of the tree.  And it seemed to him that an angel descended


s: from the heavens, and spake with a loud voice, commanding the


s: tree to be cut down, and the wild beasts and the birds to flee


s: away, when its fall should come.  And he bade that its fruit be


s: cut off and its branches and boughs, but that the roots of the


s: tree should abide fast in the earth as a token, until green


s: shoots should spring again when God granted.  And he bade bind


s: the mighty tree with brazen fetters and fetters of iron, and thus


s: mightier than he had power of correction, against whom he might


s: (ll. 523-537)  Then the earthly king awoke from his slumber, and


s: his dream was ended.  But fear of it was upon him, and terror of


s: the vision which God had sent him.  And the haughty king bade


s: summon his people together, and the leaders of the people, and


s: asked them all the import of his dream, in no wise thinking that


s: they knew; but he made trial of them how they would answer.  Then


s: Holy Ghost was sent to him from heaven to strengthen his heart.


s: In him the lord of men perceived an understanding spirit and


s: depth of counsel, strength of wisdom, words of judgment.  And


s: once again he showed forth many a wonder, the mighty works of


s: (ll. 538-550) Then the proud, heathen leader of the host began to


s: bidding him speak in holy words and search his heart to tell with


s: to him the decrees of fate.  Then he fell silent.  Yet Daniel


s: clearly saw in the assembly that his prince, the lord of men, was


s: skilled in the law, made answer to the king:


s: (ll. 551-579) "This, O prince of men, is no little wonder, which


s: thou hast seen in thy dream, a tree as high as heaven, and the


s: formerly it stood fast, lying joyless with the beasts, abiding in


s: stillness for a season where it stood, as the Voice declared, and


s: fortune be brought low!  As the tree grew high unto heaven so art


s: none on earth to withstand thee save God alone.  He shall cut


s: thee off from thy kingdom and drive thee into exile without


s: friends, and thy heart shall be changed so that there shall be no


s: save the ways of the wild beasts, but thou shalt live a long time


s: save the grass of the field, nor any fixed abiding-place, but the


s: wild beasts, until after seven winters thou shalt believe there


s: is One God for all mankind, a Lord and Ruler dwelling in the


s: (ll. 580-592) "Yet is it pleasing unto me that the roots remained


s: seasons received increase.  So shall thy kingdom stand unharmed


s: of men until thou come again.  Take now, my lord, firm counsel in


s: earthly kingdom.  Oft for many peoples God abateth pain and woe,


s: if they but earnestly repent them of their sins, ere His avenging


s: (ll. 593-597) But Daniel was not able to speak these many words


s: of truth, with craft of wisdom, to his lord, so that the mighty


s: ruler of the world would heed; but pride ruled his heart.  And


s: (ll. 598-607) And as the king of the Chaldeans ruled his realm,


s: and beheld the city of Babylon in its prosperity towering up to


s: heaven, the city which the prince had built with many a wonder


s: for his people, and the fields of the Shinarites wide-stretching


s: round about, then the king began to utter boastful words.  He


s: became perverse and arrogant of heart, beyond all men, because of


s: (ll. 608-611) "Thou art the mighty city, famed afar, which I have


s: (ll. 612-621) Then the lord of men was smitten for his boasting,


s: and driven into exile, arrogant of heart beyond all men.  Even as


s: God's vengeance that ever living men have trod.  Seven winters


s: together the king of that fair city suffered torment, a


s: (ll. 622-639) Then the wretched man, companion of the beasts,


s: looked up through the flying clouds; and he knew in his heart


s: that there was a Lord and King of heaven, and one Eternal Spirit


s: ruling over the sons of men.  And he was recovered from the


s: madness which long had been upon him, vexing the heart and soul


s: of the king.  His heart was turned again unto men and his mind


s: unto thoughts of God, after he came to know Him.  And the


s: wretched man rose up and came again among men, a naked wanderer


s: acknowledging his sin, a strange exile without clothing, and of


s: humbler heart than the lord of men had been in his boasting.


s: Behind its lord the world had stood, behind the prince his home


s: and native land, unchanged for seven winters together, so that


s: his kingdom had not lessened under heaven until its ruler came


s: (ll. 640-656) Then was the lord of Babylon once more seated upon


s: his throne; he had a better heart, a clearer faith in the Lord of


s: desireth.  The lord of nations was not slow to heed the counsels


s: of his wise men, but far and wide rehearsed the might of God,


s: where he had power of proclamation.  He told his people of his


s: wanderings, his far journeys with the beasts, until the spirit of


s: dream come true, the punishment endured, the doom awarded, even


s: as Daniel said aforetime that the king would suffer downfall for


s: his pride, and earnestly proclaimed it before men, by the might


s: (ll. 657-674) Then for a long time Daniel gave judgment and


s: counsel in Babylon unto the city-dwellers.  And after


s: Nebuchadnezzar, comrade and companion of the wild beasts,


s: returned from his wandering exile, the prince of the Chaldeans,


s: the wise and mighty leader of the folk, ruled his spacious


s: kingdom, guarding his treasure and the lofty city, until death


s: came upon him.  And there was no man to withstand him upon earth


s: till God through death took his high kingdom from him. Thereafter


s: the city of earls, enjoying wealth and twisted gold, a mighty


s: (ll. 675-685) And after him among that people arose a third


s: generation, and Belshazzar ruled the city and the kingdom until


s: his heart grew great with insolence and hateful pride.  And the


s: Chaldean rule was ended!  For the Lord bestowed the kingdom upon


s: the Medes and Persians for a space of time, and let the might of


s: Babylon diminish, which the heroes should have held.  But He knew


s: (ll. 686-702) The lord of the Medes, as he sat in his stronghold,


s: lay waste Babylon, the city of earls, where the princes within


s: the walls dispensed the treasure.  Now the city of Babylon was


s: the most famous of all the fortresses of men, the mightiest and


s: most widely known of all that men inhabit, until Belshazzar in


s: his boasting tempted God.  They sat at wine within their walls,


s: fearing not the hate of any foe, though a hostile folk with


s: mighty hosts in armour were coming up against them, even against


s: the city of Babylon to destroy it.  And the Chaldean king and his


s: (ll. 703-711) Now when the leader of the host was drunk with wine


s: the sacrifice, and the gold which the Chaldean warriors and their


s: of Judah with the sword, boasting exceedingly, with tumult


s: seizing on the kindly folk and gleaming treasure, as they


s: plundered the temple and the shrine of Solomon.


s: (ll. 712-726) Then was the lord of cities blithe in his heart,


s: boasting fiercely and defying God, and said his gods were


s: mightier to save, and greater, than the Eternal Lord of Israel.


s: But, as he gazed, there came a dreadful token before men within


s: the hall, that he had spoken a lie before his people.  The hand


s: of an angel of God appeared within the lofty hall, a sight of


s: terror, and wrote before the eyes of men upon the wall in scarlet


s: troubled within him and sore afraid because of the sign; within


s: the hall he beheld the hand of an angel writing the doom of the


s: (ll. 727-736) But the multitude, the host within the hall,


s: their hearts to know what the hand of the angel had written.  Nor


s: Daniel, wise and righteous, loved of God, came to the hall.  And


s: his heart was filled with wisdom sent from God.


s: (ll. 737-742) Then, as I have heard, the city-dwellers sought to


s: tempt Daniel with gifts to read the writing and tell the import


s: of the mystery.  But the prophet of God, skilled in the law and


s: (ll. 743-765) "Not for gain do I pronounce God's judgments to the


s: fate, and the meaning of the words thou shalt not change.  In


s: thine insolence thou hast given into the hands of men the vessels


s: pride seduced them and drunken thoughts.  So shall it be with


s: thee!  Never would thy lord before thee lay hands of insolence


s: upon God's golden vessels, nor boast thereof, although it was his


s: glory showed forth His wonders upon him, the lord of nations


s: often spake before his people in words of truth, and said that


s: He alone was Lord and Ruler of creation who gave him blameless


s: glory in his earthly kingdom and great prosperity.  But thou


s: deniest that He is the Living God who ruleth over devils..."


s: (ll. 1-18) It is revealed to those who dwell on earth that God


s: had strength and power when He wrought the borders of the world.


s: By His wondrous might He established the sun and moon, the rocks


s: and earth and the oceanstream, water and clouds.  By His strength


s: power He hath ordained the number of the days.  Even so in six


s: that clearly knoweth all that mighty work except Eternal God?


s: (ll. 19-33) Joys He dealeth out and riches.  He first created


s: Adam, and a noble race, the angel princes, which later perished


s: utterly.  For, it seemed to them in their hearts it well might be


s: Then a worse fate befell them, and they went to find a home in


s: hell, the foul abyss, where they must needs endure grim woe and


s: surging flame, no more possessing radiance of glory or high-built


s: depths of fiery flame, down to the bottomless abyss, insatiate


s: and rapacious.  God only knoweth how He hath condemned that


s: (ll. 34-50) The Old One crieth out of hell, with horrible voice


s: uttereth words accursed: "Whither is fled the glory of the


s: angels, which we should have in heaven?  This is a home of


s: darkness, terribly bound with fettering bonds of fire.  The floor


s: far when we must suffer torment, pain, and woe, no whit


s: possessing bliss in heavenly glory, nor joy, in her high halls.


s: Lo!  once we knew great bliss before the face of God, and songs


s: of praise in heaven in happier hours, where now stand noble


s: spirits round about Eternal God in His high hall, worshipping the


s: abide in bonds, nor ever hope for any better home, because of my


s: (ll. 51-64) Then answered the foul fiends, black and sinful,


s: chained in torment: "Thou with thy lies didst teach us not to


s: serve the Saviour!  To thee alone it seemed that thou hadst power


s: the Creator.  Now thou art bound, thou wretched fiend, with bonds


s: Loathsome is thy face!  Sorely have we suffered for thy lies!


s: Thou saidest that thy son was Lord of men.  Now is thy woe the


s: (ll. 65-74) So with bitter words and moaning voices the sinful


s: spirits spake unto their lord.  Christ had cast them out, and


s: banished them from joy.  They had lost the radiant light of God


s: in heaven through overweening pride.  For all their joy they had


s: the floors of hell and burning pain.  Pale, their beauty marred,


s: the fallen angels, miserable wretches, wandered through that


s: loathsome pit, because of the presumptuous deeds which formerly


s: (ll. 75-80) Then once more spake the leader of the fiends; he was


s: fire and poison, he began to speak; no pleasant joy was this as


s: (ll. 81-92) "I was once a holy angel, dear unto God in heaven,


s: and knew great joy before the face of the Lord God, likewise this


s: glory, the Son of God, and have myself the power to rule the


s: world, and all this wretched host which I have led unto a home in


s: banished, deep below the earth, in the bottomless abyss. I have


s: led you all from out your native home unto a house of bondage.


s: (ll. 92-105) "Here is no glory of the blessed, neither wine-halls


s: fire.  I am God's foe.  Dragons dwell ever at the gates of hell,


s: inflamed and furious; they may not help us!  This woeful house is


s: hiss; here serpents dwell.  Firmly the bonds of torment are


s: fastened upon us.  Fierce are the fiends, swarthy and black.


s: Here never gleameth day in the gloom of hell-shadows, nor the


s: (ll. 106-124) "Once I had power and glory, before I earned God's


s: judgment on my sin in this loathsome realm, upon the floor of


s: hell.  Now I have come, and brought a host of fiends, unto this


s: home of darkness.  But, flying forth from hell from time to time,


s: part in our presumptuous deeds.  We need not hope the King of


s: glory will ever grant us a home and dwelling, as He did of old,


s: and everlasting power.  For the Son of God hath power of all


s: things, of glory and affliction.  Wherefore, downcast and


s: wretched, I must wander far, an exile journey, stripped of glory,


s: because I said of old that I was King of glory and Lord of all."


s: (ll. 125-128) But a worse fate befell him!  So the accursed


s: spirit, doomed to woe, lamented his afflictions. (And through the


s: (ll. 129-141) "I am so large of limb there is no place in this


s: wide hall to hide me, sore wounded with my sins.  Both heat and


s: cold by turns are mingled here.  At times I hear the hell-slaves


s: howling, mourning these realms of pain beneath the earth; at


s: times men naked strive with serpents.  All this windy hall is


s: filled with horror!  Never shall I know a happier home, nor any


s: town or mansion; nor ever shall mine eyes behold the shining


s: (ll. 142-157) "Worse is it now for me that ever I knew the light


s: of glory with the angels, or melody in heaven, where blessed


s: souls are lapped in music by the Son of God.  I may not injure


s: any soul save those alone which He rejecteth.  Those may I lead


s: home into bondage, and bring them to their dwelling in the grim


s: abyss.  Changed are we all from what we were of old on high, in


s: beauty and in honour.  Oft, as disciples round our well-loved


s: Lord, we brought the sons of glory to the Saviour's arms, and


s: lifted up our songs of praise, and worshipped Him.  But now I am


s: stained with evil, and wounded with my sins.  In hell-fire


s: burning bonds of pain shall sear my back, nor may I ever hope for


s: (ll. 158-162) Then once more the loathsome fiend from hell,


s: accursed in his woe, bewailed his endless torment.  His words


s: flew up like sparks, most like to poison, as he hissed them


s: (ll. 162-175) "O!  the majesty of God, the might of the Creator!


s: O!  Thou Lord of heavenly hosts!  Farewell to earth, and the


s: gleaming light of day!  Farewell the bliss of God, the angel


s: hosts, the heavens above!  Alas!  that I have lost eternal joy,


s: that never again with my hands may I lay hold on heaven, nor


s: thitherward lift up mine eyes, nor hear in mine ears the ringing


s: voice of the trumpet, because I would have driven from His throne


s: (ll. 176-188) "Then a worse fate befell me than I could well


s: foresee!  I am rejected from the heavenly host, cast out from


s: light into this loathsome home.  I may not well bethink me how I


s: fell thus low, into this deep abyss, stained with my sins, and


s: cast out from the world.  Now I know that he will forfeit all


s: eternal joy who thinketh not to serve the King of heaven and


s: please the Lord.  Needs must I undergo correction, vengeance and


s: punishment and pain, stripped of every good, stained by my former


s: of hosts.  Now, sorrowful and full of care, I needs must go an


s: (ll. 189-208) Then God's foe went to hell, wherein he was abased,


s: hurled them down into that burning house whose name is hell.


s: Wherefore let every man take thought in his heart that he may not


s: fiends were undone by pride.  And let us choose as our delight


s: the Lord of hosts, the Prince of angels, and eternal joy in


s: heaven above.  He showed that He had strength and wondrous power,


s: a home on high with Christ, the Lord of all, the King of kings.


s: With blithe thoughts in our hearts, and peace and wisdom, let us


s: be mindful of righteousness and truth, when we think to kneel


s: before His royal throne, and pray the Lord for mercy.


s: (ll. 209-223) It behooveth him who dwelleth in these worldly joys


s: fairer than this earth.  That is a land of beauty and of joy,


s: with fruits that brightly gleam among the cities.  That is a


s: boundless realm, the home of the blessed in heaven, acceptable to


s: Saviour sitteth, Lord of victories, and round about His throne in


s: holy heavenly hosts, and praise the Lord with words and works.


s: Their beauty gleameth with the King of glory, world without end.


s: (ll. 224-227) And further still, as I have heard, the fiends


s: confessed.  Their sin and punishment lay heavy on them.  In their


s: (ll. 228-244) "Now is it seen that we have sinned in heaven, and


s: now must ever wage a hapless war against the might of God.  We


s: might have had our dwelling in the light of glory, in thousands


s: serving Holy God, and chanting hymns about His throne.  And while


s: music on our ears, and the voice of the trumpet.  Bright of word


s: arose the Prince of angels, and all His saints bowed down before


s: Him.  The Eternal Lord Triumphant rose and stood above us, and


s: each day blessed that gentle throng, and His beloved Son, Shaper


s: of souls.  And God Himself was merciful to all who came within


s: that kingdom, and had believed in Him on earth.


s: (ll. 245-247) "But it seemed to me that the Prince was stern and


s: hard of heart; and I began to go forth alone among the angels,


s: (ll. 248-253) "'I can show you enduring counsel, if ye will trust


s: this is empty boasting which we have borne so long.'


s: (ll. 254-268) "And so it was we strove to drive the Lord from His


s: that we must dwell in exile, in the grim depths of heil.  God


s: holdeth His kingdom.  He only is the King, Eternal Lord, Creator


s: strong and mighty, whose anger smote us down.  Henceforth this


s: host must lie here in their sin, some flying in the air and


s: speeding over earth.  But round about each spirit fire burneth,


s: though he be up on high.  Yet may he never lay his hand upon


s: those souls who from the earth in blessedness seek heaven.  But I


s: (ll. 269-278) "Some must needs wander through all lands, sowing


s: dissension in the tribes of men throughout the earth.  But I must


s: lamenting here my lost possessions, which once I owned, while


s: still my home was in the heavens.  Will the Eternal grant us ever


s: (ll. 279-297) So wailed God's adversaries, as they burned in


s: hell.  God, the Lord, was moved to wrath against them for their


s: blasphemy.  Wherefore should every living man, whose heart is


s: good, resolve to banish sinful thoughts and loathsome evil.  Let


s: us be ever mindful in our hearts of the Creator's might, and


s: prepare a green path before us unto the angels.  There is


s: Almighty God, and the Son of God will fold us in His arms, if we


s: on earth take thought of this beforehand, and trust His holy


s: help.  Then will He not forsake us, but will grant us life among


s: the angels, and blessed joy.  The radiant Lord will show us


s: stable dwellings, and gleaming city-walls.  Brightly shine the


s: souls of the blessed, freed from sorrow, evermore possessing


s: (ll. 297-314) O may we all proclaim it, ere it be too late, and


s: rehearse it unto men upon the earth, unlock with skill the


s: mysteries of God, and wisely understand them!  A thousand angels


s: shall come out to meet us, if thitherward we take our way, and


s: have deserved this bliss on earth.  He shall be blessed whoso


s: scorneth evil and is pleasing unto God, overcoming sin as He hath


s: kingdom, shall shine like to the sun in the City of Refuge, where


s: and lovingly uplift them to the light of heaven, where they may


s: dwell for ever with the King of glory, possessing joy of joys


s: with the Lord God, for ever and for ever without end.


s: (ll. 315-333) Alas!  how rashly did the cursed fiend resolve to


s: disobey the King of heaven, the Comfort-bringing Father.  With


s: venom burned and blazed the floor of hell beneath the captive's


s: feet.  The fiends went howling through those windy halls, wailing


s: purged by fire.  Grievous their fate!  And their prince, who came


s: there that loathsome realm, nor ever in heaven above hear holy


s: joy, where they had long had pleasant service with the angels;


s: all good things had they lost, and might not dwell save in the


s: pit of hell, in that accursed hall where sounds of weeping are


s: heard afar, gnashing of teeth and lamentation.


s: (ll. 334-354) They have no hope but only frost and fire, torture


s: and pain and swarming serpents, dragons and adders and a house of


s: gnashing of teeth, loud and full of woe.  God's adversaries


s: wandered throughout hell, burning with flame above and below (on


s: every side was torture); oppressed with pain, bereft of joy, and


s: shorn of glory, they bitterly lamented that ever they had planned


s: (ll. 355-364) No one is so cunning or so wise, or hath such


s: understanding, save God alone, that he may describe the radiant


s: light of heaven; how, by the might of God, the sun there shineth


s: round about that splendid host, where angels have eternal joy,


s: and saints chant hymns before the face of God.  And there are


s: blessed souls, who come from earth bearing in their bosoms


s: fragrant blossoms and pleasant herbs--these are the words of


s: God.  The Father of mankind shall fold them in His arms, and with


s: obey his Saviour.  Well shall it be with him who may obtain it!


s: (ll. 365-376) Within God's kingdom in the days of old the angel


s: prince was called "Light-bearer," Lucifer.  But he stirred up


s: strife in heaven and turned to insolence and pride.  Darkly Satan


s: He was their lord, the prince of evil.  But he repented when he


s: needs must sink to hell, and with his thanes must feel the


s: Saviour's wrath; never thereafter might they look upon Eternal


s: (ll. 377-384) Then terror came upon them, and crashing thunder


s: went before the Judge, who bowed and burst the doors of hell.


s: And bliss came unto men when they beheld their Saviour's face.


s: But the hearts of that doomed folk, that dread host named


s: aforetime, were sore afraid.  They were smitten with terror


s: throughout their windy hall, and wailed aloud:


s: (ll. 385-397) "Bitter is this Storm that burst upon us, the Angel


s: fairer light than ever our eyes beheld, save when we dwelt in


s: heaven among the angels.  Now will He end, by power of His glory,


s: before the face of God, and soon this wretched throng shall know


s: affliction.  It is the Son of God, the Lord of angels.  He


s: leadeth souls up out of hell, and we shall be abased hereafter by


s: (ll. 398-407) By His might the Lord descended into hell, unto the


s: to their native home.  Then came the sound of angel legions, and


s: thunder at the blush of dawn.  The Lord Himself had overcome the


s: Fiend; the deadly strife began at dawn when the terror fell upon


s: them.  He let the blessed souls, the race of Adam, mount upward


s: unto heaven.  Yet Eve might not see heaven until she spake:


s: (ll. 408-419) "I, only, brought Thy wrath upon us, Eternal Lord,


s: when we two ate the apple through the serpent's guile, Adam and


s: I, as we should not have done.  The fiend, who now doth burn for


s: ever in his bonds, told us that so we should have blessing and a


s: holy home, and heaven to rule.  And we believed the words of the


s: Accursed, and stretched our hands unto the holy tree and plucked


s: its shining fruit.  Bitter the price we paid, when we must needs


s: sink downward to this flaming pit, and there abide for many


s: (ll. 420-434) "Now I beseech Thee, Lord of heaven, by this host,


s: the angel legions which Thou leadest hither, that I may be


s: delivered out of hell, with all my kindred.  Three nights ago a


s: servant of the Saviour came to hell.  Now is he fast in bondage,


s: spent with pain, for the King of glory was incensed against him


s: because of his presumption.  Thou saidest unto us in truth that


s: God Himself would come to all who dwell in hell.  Then everyone


s: arose, and leaned upon his arm, and rested on his hand; though


s: racked with pangs of hell, yet in their torment they rejoiced


s: because their Lord was coming unto hell to bring them aid."


s: (ll. 435-440) And she lifted up her hands unto the King of


s: heaven, beseeching mercy of the Lord for Mary's sake: "Lo!  Of my


s: is it seen that Thou art God indeed, the Everlasting Source of


s: (ll. 441-454) Then the Eternal Lord let all that host mount


s: upward unto glory.  But on the fiends He fastened bonds of


s: torment, and thrust them down into the depths of darkness,


s: bitterly abashed, where darkly Satan rules, a woeful wretch, and


s: with him the foul fiends, forspent with pain.  Never may they see


s: their return, because the Lord God was incensed against them, and


s: horror, death-shadows dark and dim, the burning pit of hell, and


s: (ll. 455-467) Then was there gladness when the host returned unto


s: His glorious city.  With their hands the race of Abraham, the


s: holy prophets, bore Him up unto His home.  Even as the prophets


s: had foretold in days of old, the Lord had conquered death, and


s: overcome the Fiend.  All this befell at dawn before the blush of


s: day, when thunder came, loud crashing from the heavens, and God


s: bowed down and brake the doors of hell.  The fiends' strength


s: lessened when they saw the radiant light.


s: (ll. 468-478) And the Son of God was sitting with His host, and


s: spake with words of truth: "Wise spirits!  By My might I wrought


s: you--first Adam and this noble woman.  And they begat, by God's


s: will, forty children, so that a multitude were born thereafter on


s: came to pass the fiend by deeds of evil brought God's mercy to an


s: (ll. 479-486) "For in the new Paradise I placed a tree with


s: spreading branches, whose boughs bore apples, and ye two ate the


s: gleaming fruit according as the fiend, the thane of hell, gave


s: bidding.  Wherefore ye journeyed to the burning depths of hell,


s: because ye disobeyed the word of God, and tasted of this horror.


s: The foul fiend stood beside you, and gave you evil thoughts.


s: (ll. 487-498) "But My heart repented that My handiwork should


s: suffer prison-bondage!  There was no power of men, nor might of


s: angels, no work of the prophets, nor wisdom of mortal men, that


s: could bring you help, but only God, the Saviour, who had ordained


s: to earth, being born of a virgin, and suffered many tortures in


s: the world, and much affliction.  And many men, the rulers of the


s: state, conspired against Me night and day, how they might slay


s: (ll. 499-511) "Then was the time fulfilled, and I had lived for


s: three-and-thirty winters in the world before My passion.  Long


s: was I mindful of this multitude and of My home, that I might lead


s: God's judgments, and the glory of the heavenly hosts, dwelling in


s: cross, when sharp spears pierced Me, and the young man smote Me,


s: hanging on the tree, yea!  even then I interceded for you; and I


s: came again unto eternal joys, and to the presence of the Holy


s: (ll. 512-523) Thus spake the Lord of glory, Maker of mankind,


s: early in the morning when the Lord God rose from death.  There


s: was no stone so firmly fastened, though it were bound about with


s: iron, that might withstand His wondrous might; but the Lord of


s: angels went forth from His prison, and bade bright angels tell


s: His eleven disciples, and say especially to Simon Peter that he


s: might see God, Steadfast and Eternal, in Galilee, as he had done


s: (ll. 524-534) Then the disciples, as I have heard, were filled


s: with the Spirit, and went together into Galilee unto the Holy Son


s: feet, giving thanks to God because once more, as it was come to


s: pass, they might behold the Prince of angels.  And straightway


s: (ll. 535-539) "Is it Thou, O Lord God, crowned with glory?  A


s: little while ago we saw how heathen men laid grievous bonds upon


s: Thee!  And bitterly shall they repent, when they behold their


s: (ll. 540-556) But some could not believe it in their hearts.  And


s: Saviour's side wherefrom His blood had fallen to the ground, a


s: bath of baptism.  That was a glorious deed, the passion of the


s: Lord our God.  He mounted up upon the tree, and with His great


s: heart shed His blood upon the cross.  Wherefore at all times men


s: should thank their Lord by words and works, because He led us out


s: judgments and the glory of the heavenly host, and dwell in joy.


s: To us the radiant light of glory is revealed, to such as have


s: (ll. 557-567) Then was the Lord Eternal forty days on earth,


s: followed of the people and revealed to men, before the Prince of


s: city-dwellers brought the Holy Spirit to the great creation, the


s: heavenly kingdom.  The King of angels and the Lord of hosts


s: ascended up on high.  Then came celestial melodies in holiness


s: from heaven.  The hand of God appeared and He received the


s: Prince; the Lord of heaven led Him to His holy home.  And round


s: about Him throngs of angels flew in thousands.


s: (ll. 568-578) And it befell, while yet the Saviour Christ abode


s: with men, that on the night before the last He strengthened with


s: His spirit His disciples, the twelve apostles.  The Living God


s: ordained unnumbered souls.  Of these was Judas, who betrayed the


s: Glorious Lord, our Saviour, to be a sacrifice.  Little did that


s: undertaking prosper when he sold the Son of God for silver


s: treasure.  The foul fiend gave him grim requital, deep in hell.


s: (ll. 579-596) The Son now sitteth on the right hand of the


s: Father; each day the Lord of hosts giveth help and healing to the


s: many men that He alone, by power of His glory, is Maker and Ruler


s: prophets in heaven above; the Son of glory hath His throne amid


s: the heavens, and by His healing leadeth us up thither to the


s: light, where we may sit with God on high among the angels, and


s: have that radiance where His holy host now dwelleth, and live in


s: joy.  There is the blessedness of glory radiantly revealed!  Let


s: us take thought to serve the Saviour gladly and be pleasing unto


s: Christ!  There is more glorious life than we may ever gain on


s: (ll. 597-607) Now hath the Great Prince, the Almighty Lord, made


s: intercession for us.  On the day of doom God biddeth the


s: archangels, with a mighty blast, to sound the trumpet over the


s: city-dwellings, through all the borders of the world.  Then shall


s: through the might of God.  Longest of days shall that be,


s: greatest of tumults, heard afar, when the Saviour cometh, the


s: Lord, with clouds surrounded, descending upon earth.


s: (ll. 608-615) Then will He separate the fair and foul, the good


s: and evil, into two companies.  And the righteous shall mount to


s: their rest at the right hand of God, they shall be blithe as they


s: (ll. 615-618) "Ye are welcome!  Enter now the heavenly kingdom,


s: into the light of glory.  There shall ye rest for ever without


s: (ll. 619-625) But the guilty souls that have sinned shall stand


s: and tremble when the Son of God shall judge them by His wondrous


s: might; they shall hope they may ascend to that fair city with the


s: (ll. 626-627) "Descend now quickly, ye accursed, into the house


s: (ll. 628-646) And straightway at these words hell's captives,


s: cursed spirits, shall drag them down by thousands, leading them


s: thither to the home of fiends, and thrust them deep down in the


s: narrow pit.  Never may they return, but there they needs must


s: suffer torturing pain, imprisonment, and bonds, and the cold


s: ground, endure the depths of hell and devils' discourse, black


s: fiends with hate reviling them for sin, because they often have


s: forgot the Lord, Eternal God, who should have been their hope.


s: Wherefore let us resolve while in the world to serve the Saviour


s: gladly by God's grace, be mindful of the spirit's joy, and how


s: the blessed sons of God abide on high in radiant glory.


s: (ll. 647-655) There is a golden gate adorned with gems,


s: enwreathed with joy, for those who enter in God's kingdom, and


s: win the light of glory.  About the walls stand radiant angel


s: spirits and blessed souls who pass from earth to heaven.  There


s: are martyrs pleasing unto God, and patriarchs with holy voices


s: praising God, the King within His city, saying:


s: (ll. 656-658) "Thou art the Lord of men, the Heavenly Judge and


s: Prince of angels!  Thou hast led the sons of earth unto this


s: (ll 659-662) So the thanes about their Prince shall praise the


s: Lord of glory.  There shall be song and splendour round His


s: throne.  For He is King indeed, and Lord of all things in the


s: (ll. 663-673) He is the Lord, the Prince of angels, who died for


s: us; and, in the fullness of His mercy, the Maker of mankind once


s: fasted forty days.  And it came to pass that the Accursed Fiend,


s: who was driven out of heaven and sank to hell, tempted the Lord


s: of all creation, bringing in his arms great stones, and bidding


s: Him make loaves to stay His hunger, "if Thou have so much power."


s: hast ordained the light for living souls, reward unending in the


s: (ll. 679-682) Then the malicious, evil spirit in derision lifted


s: Him up in his hands, and set Him upon his shoulder, and ascended


s: a high mountain, and placed the Lord God on a peak thereof:


s: (ll. 683-688) "Gaze now full widely over the dwellers of earth.


s: The world and the inhabitants thereof will I give into Thy hand.


s: Take now from me the city and the shining home which I will give


s: Thee in the heavenly kingdom, that Thou mayest truly be the King


s: of men and angels, as Thou hast thought."


s: (ll. 689-709) Then answered the Eternal Lord: "Depart, thou


s: cursed Satan, into the house of pain; for thee is punishment


s: prepared, and not God's kingdom.  By most high might I bid thee


s: bring no hope to such as dwell in hell, but tell them now of


s: this, thy greatest woe, that thou hast met the Maker of creation,


s: measureless and wide and dreary is the pit of hell!  Measure it


s: with thy hands, take hold upon its bottom.  Go, then, until thou


s: knowest all the circle of it; measure it first from above even


s: unto the abyss.  Measure how broad the black mist stretches.


s: Then shalt thou know more clearly that thou strivest against God,


s: (ll. 710-728) Then vengeance came upon the fiend.  Satan, the


s: cursed monster, fled away and sank to hell.  And first he


s: measured with his hands its torment and its woe.  The black flame


s: they lay in hell.  And there rose a howling throughout hell, when


s: black evil spirit, so that he stood upon the floor of hell, and


s: it seemed to him that from the pit to the doors of hell was an


s: hundred thousand miles in reckoning, as the Almighty Lord had


s: bidden him, for his sin, to measure all his torment.  And he


s: remembered as he stood in the depths of hell!  The foul fiend


s: with his eyes gazed through the loathsome den, until its


s: overwhelming horror, the host of devils... then mounted up...


s: With words of malice the accursed fiends began to speak and say:


s: (ll. 728-730) "Lo! thus may evil be upon thee always!  Thou didst


s: "I've caught a cold," the Thing replies,


s: For, though of course there's less of fun


s: But pray sit down:  you'll feel inclined


s: "Thanks!  You shall hear them by and by.


s: "That's plain," said I, "as Tare and Tret,


s: "Perhaps," he said, "YOU first transgressed


s: "Port-wine, he says, when rich and sound,


s: "You'd find the bread improved, I think,


s: We chumped and chawed the buttered toast


s: It's known as well as Bradshaw's Guide!"


s: "Don't stir!" he cried.  "We'll do without it:


s: And then two Trolls (which broke the rule),


s: "One day, some Spectres chanced to call,


s: But what's the use?"  (He heaved a sigh.)


s: "I've haunted dungeons, castles, towers -


s: Drenched to the skin with driving showers,


s: "And when you've learned to squeak, my man,


s: "Long bills soon quenched the little thirst


s: "What with the things you have to hire -


s: "Don't they consult the 'Victims,' though?"


s: "Of course you can't leave CHILDREN free,"


s: "And, though we don't consult 'Mine Host'


s: To let the wind come whistling through -


s: "Who's the Knight-Mayor?" I cried.  Instead


s: "Well, if you don't know THAT," he said,


s: And squeeze them till they nearly choke."


s: "And folk who sup on things like these--"


s: 'The man,' says Johnson, 'that would make


s: At last, when, breath and patience spent,


s: "That's true enough," said he, "yet stay--"


s: Who climbs till nerve and force are spent,


s: Who, climbing, gains at length the place


s: Scorched both his slippers off his feet!"


s: Is Tibbets--"  "Tibbets?"  "Aye, the same."


s: "To walk four miles through mud and rain,


s: "Good-night, old Turnip-top, good-night!


s: "Tell him you'll stand no sort of trick;


s: Good-night, old Turnip-top, good-night!"


s: "What's this?" I pondered.  "Have I slept?


s: And slept, and dreamed till break of day


s: Every ringlet, lightly shaken, ran itself in golden thread.


s: For the baseness of its nature shall have strength to drag her


s: Like a dog, he hunts for boys who know not two and two are four."


s: "It is the dead unhappy night, and I must hurry home to tea."


s: There are certain things--as, a spider, a ghost,


s: The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three -


s: That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most


s: It is pleasant and dreamy, no doubt, to float


s: With 'thoughts as boundless, and souls as free':


s: But, suppose you are very unwell in the boat,


s: If you like your coffee with sand for dregs,


s: And if, with these dainties to drink and eat,


s: You prefer not a vestige of grass or tree,


s: And a chronic state of wet in your feet,


s: For _I_ have friends who dwell by the coast -


s: They take me a walk:  though tired and stiff,


s: And, after a tumble or so from the cliff,


s: That they laugh with such an excess of glee,


s: slight attempt at doing what is known to be so easy.  Any fairly


s: Hiawatha.'  Having, then, distinctly stated that I challenge no


s: Pushed and pulled the joints and hinges,


s: ('Grouped' is not the right expression),


s: Might in her thoughts, from grave to gay


s: Whose mirth, I thought, might serve to drown


s: The night's performance was "King John."


s: Who'd prove his friendship true and deep


s: Farewell, dear friend, and when we meet,


s: Strove with the thought "But I must stay.


s: "To dine!" she shrieked in dragon-wrath.


s: "Such wretches live:  they take their share


s: She said "Each gives to more than each."


s: "The man that smokes--that reads the Times -


s: While, like broad waves of golden grain,


s: And, when at length she asked him "Which?"


s: Strange questions raised on "Why?" and "Whence?"


s: When he, with racked and whirling brain,


s: When, with quick breath and cheeks all flushed,


s: At length his speech was somewhat hushed,


s: His speech, half guessed at and half heard,


s: His views, and stripped them to the bone,


s: See mouths that gape, and eyes that stare


s: Still from each fact, with skill uncouth


s: With glance that ever sought the ground,


s: Save one, who groaned "Three hours are gone!"


s: Who shrieked "We'll wait no longer, John!


s: The vision passed:  the ghosts were fled:


s: His heart stood still, aghast with fear;


s: "Her speech," he said, "hath caused this pain.


s: "Or, stretched beside some babbling brook,


s: "'Twere hard," it answered, "themes immense


s: That all my powers of thought were spent."


s: "Yet truth is truth:  you know you did."


s: More tightly clenched than then they were.


s: Dashed him to earth, and held him tight.


s: Music?  The Diluter gives us first a few notes of some well-known


s: down in a heap of mortar, will recognise the truthfulness of this


s: For truly, just as the genuine Epicure lingers lovingly over a


s: morsel of supreme Venison--whose every fibre seems to murmur


s: Five little girls, of Five, Four, Three, Two, One:


s: Rolling on the hearthrug, full of tricks and fun.


s: Five rosy girls, in years from Ten to Six:


s: Sitting down to lessons--no more time for tricks.


s: Five growing girls, from Fifteen to Eleven:


s: Music, Drawing, Languages, and food enough for seven!


s: Five winsome girls, from Twenty to Sixteen:


s: Each young man that calls, I say "Now tell me which you MEAN!"


s: Five dashing girls, the youngest Twenty-one:


s: But, if nobody proposes, what is there to be done?


s: When girls may be ENGAGING, but they somehow don't ENGAGE.


s: Five dressy girls, of Thirty-one or more:


s: So gracious to the shy young men they snubbed so much before!


s: Five passe girls--Their age?  Well, never mind!


s: We jog along together, like the rest of human kind:


s: But the quondam "careless bachelor" begins to think he knows


s: The answer to that ancient problem "how the money goes"!


s: And thought "There's no hum-drum in him,


s: "Why, yes," the old man said:  "that phrase


s: Green cloth--gold-lettered at the back -


s: "Why, Brown, my boy!  Your growing stout!"


s: "It's hardly safe, though, talking here -


s: And she'd done up her hair in the style that


s: That "the place was so crowded and hot, and


s: phrase I had learned from the Devonshire shrimpers.


s: When the foam of the bride-cake is white,


s: and the fierce orange-blossoms are yellow!"


s: I was stung by a look, I was slain by a tear,


s: And the question is 'License or Banns?',


s: though undoubtedly Banns are the cheapest."


s: The ladye she stood at her lattice high,


s: Said--"Ladye dear," and the salt, salt tear


s: "They cam' to me," said that fair ladye.


s: Said--"that chain o' gowd, my doggie to howd,


s: Whilk I sent by post, whilk I sent by box,


s: "They cam' to me," said that fair ladye;


s: Said--"that cushion sae red, for my doggie's head,


s: Whilk I sent to thee frae the far countrie,


s: But it wasna prepaid," said that high-born maid,


s: Now the message it brought, and the boon that it sought,


s: "For five lang years, and five lang years,


s: I am come to tell thee my love at last -


s: "Sic' a coortin' as yours, my man," she said


s: And tugged and strained his chain o' gowd,


s: They heard sic' a din the parlour within


s: Sin' ye've bided sae well for thirty years,


s: No. I. was written at the request of some young friends, who had


s: gone to a ball at an Oxford Commemoration--and also as a specimen


s: POEM instead of what it has hitherto been, a string of disjointed


s: No. II. was written after seeing Miss Ellen Terry perform in the


s: respectively describe "My First," "My Second," and "My Whole."]


s: There was an ancient City, stricken down


s: With a strange frenzy, and for many a day


s: They paced from morn to eve the crowded town,


s: I asked the cause:  the aged man grew sad:


s: They pointed to a building gray and tall,


s: And hoarsely answered "Step inside, my lad,


s: Whose thoughts are full of indices and surds?


s: But something whispered "It will soon be done:


s: Bands cannot always play, nor ladies smile:


s: Endure with patience the distasteful fun


s: A change came o'er my Vision--it was night:


s: We clove a pathway through a frantic throng:


s: The steeds, wild-plunging, filled us with affright:


s: A living tide, half muslin and half cloth:


s: And here one mourned a broken wreath or fan,


s: (His words half-drowned amid those thunders tuneful)


s: Some frozen viand (there were many there),


s: There comes a happy pause, for human strength


s: Will not endure to dance without cessation;


s: And every one must reach the point at length


s: To partners who would urge them over-much,


s: There comes a welcome summons--hope revives,


s: And fading eyes grow bright, and pulses quicken:


s: Incessant pop the corks, and busy knives


s: Flushed with new life, the crowd flows back again:


s: And all is tangled talk and mazy motion -


s: Much like a waving field of golden grain,


s: And thus they give the time, that Nature meant


s: For peaceful sleep and meditative snores,


s: And One (we name him not) that flies the flowers,


s: That dreads the dances, and that shuns the salads,


s: They doom to pass in solitude the hours,


s: How late it grows!  The hour is surely past


s: That should have warned us with its double knock?


s: The twilight wanes, and morning comes at last -


s: The Uncle gravely nods, and wisely winks.


s: It MAY mean much, but how is one to know?


s: He opens his mouth--yet out of it, methinks,


s: O day of tears!  Whence comes this spectre grim,


s: Parting, like Death's cold river, souls that love?


s: Is not he bound to thee, as thou to him,


s: By vows, unwhispered here, yet heard above?


s: And still it lives, that keen and heavenward flame,


s: Lives in his eye, and trembles in his tone:


s: And these wild words of fury but proclaim


s: A heart that beats for thee, for thee alone!


s: But all is lost:  that mighty mind o'erthrown,


s: Like sweet bells jangled, piteous sight to see!


s: "Doubt that the stars are fire," so runs his moan,


s: "Doubt Truth herself, but not my love for thee!"


s: Shaming his hoary locks with treacherous wile!


s: And dost thou now doubt Truth to be a liar?


s: And wilt thou die, that hast forgot to smile?


s: Nay, get thee hence!  Leave all thy winsome ways


s: And the faint fragrance of thy scattered flowers:


s: In holy silence wait the appointed days,


s: And rich with laughter and with singing:


s: And banners wave, and bells are ringing:


s: Rest your old bones, ye wrinkled crones!


s: That fills the soul with golden fancies!


s: Blow, blow your trumpets till they crack,


s: Be yours the pay:  be theirs the praise:


s: Trampling, with heel that will not spare,


s: Strut your brief hour in borrowed plumes,


s: Deck your dull talk with pilfered shreds


s: Originally written in Greek, sometime about the middle of the 4th


s: Didn't Tell" (University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1968).


s: Homer's "Iliad" begins towards the close of the last of the ten


s: years of the Trojan War: its incidents extend over some fifty


s: days only, and it ends with the burial of Hector.  The things


s: which came before and after were told by other bards, who between


s: were called the Cyclic Poets.  Of their works none have survived;


s: taking of Troy is told in detail, and well told, in a poem about


s: half as long as the "Iliad".  Some four hundred years after


s: Christ there lived at Smyrna a poet of whom we know scarce


s: anything, save that his first name was Quintus.  He had saturated


s: music, and he perhaps had before him the works of those Cyclic


s: Poets whose stars had paled before the sun.


s: We have practically no external evidence as to the date or place


s: of birth of Quintus of Smyrna, or for the sources whence he drew


s: his materials.  His date is approximately settled by two passages


s: drawn from the man-and-beast fights of the amphitheatre, which


s: sqq., which contains a prophecy, the special particularity of


s: which, it is maintained by Koechly, limits its applicability to


s: His place of birth, and the precise locality, is given by himself


s: familiarity, of which he gives numerous instances, with many


s: natural features of the western part of Asia Minor.


s: With respect to his authorities, and the use he made of their


s: writings, there has been more difference of opinion.  Since his


s: narrative covers the same ground as the "Aethiopis" ("Coming of


s: B.C.), it has been assumed that the work of Quintus "is little


s: more than an amplification or remodelling of the works of these


s: two Cyclic Poets."  This, however, must needs be pure conjecture,


s: which, again, we but get at second-hand through the "Bibliotheca"


s: descriptions of incident that are found in the fragments differ


s: essentially from the corresponding incidents as described by


s: Quintus, but even in the summaries, meagre as they are, we find,


s: as German critics have shown by exhaustive investigation, serious


s: if Quintus had the works of the Cyclic poets before him, which is


s: conclusion disposes by any means of all difficulties.  If Quintus


s: Homer."  As regards language, versification, and general spirit,


s: the matter is beyond controversy; but when we come to consider


s: the incidents of the story, we find deviations from Homer even


s: more serious than any of those from the Cyclic poets.  And the


s: strange thing is, that each of these deviations is a manifest


s: detriment to the perfection of his poem; in each of them the


s: writer has missed, or has rejected, a magnificent opportunity.


s: With regard to the slaying of Achilles by the hand of Apollo


s: only, and not by those of Apollo and Paris, he might have pleaded


s: "So we grappled the livelong day, and we had not refrained


s: But Zeus sent a hurricane, stilling the storm of the battle


s: Now, it is just in describing such natural phenomena, and in


s: blending them with the turmoil of battle, that Quintus is in his


s: element; yet for such a scene he substitutes what is, by


s: comparison, a lame and impotent conclusion.  Of that awful cry


s: that rang over the sea heralding the coming of Thetis and the


s: Nymphs to the death-rites of her son, and the panic with which it


s: warriors with the voice of his own wife.  This thrilling scene


s: Quintus omits, and substitutes nothing of his own.  Later on, he


s: makes Menelaus slay Deiphobus unresisting, "heavy with wine,"


s: whereas Homer ("Odyssey" viii. 517-20) makes him offer such a


s: magnificent resistance, that Odysseus and Menelaus together could


s: that, though there are echoes of the "Iliad" all through the


s: poem, yet, wherever Homer has, in the "Odyssey", given the


s: outline-sketch of an effective scene, Quintus has uniformly


s: neglected to develop it, has sometimes substituted something much


s: For this we have no satisfactory explanation to offer.  He may


s: The Greek text here given is that of Koechly (1850) with many of


s: Zimmermann's emendations, which are acknowledged in the notes.


s: Passages enclosed in square brackets are suggestions of Koechly


s: for supplying the general sense of lacunae.  Where he has made no


s: adequate, the lacuna has been indicated by asterisks, though here


s: I  How died for Troy the Queen of the Amazons,


s: II  How Memnon, Son of the Dawn, for Troy's sake fell


s: III  How by the shaft of a God laid low was Hero Achilles.


s: IV  How in the Funeral Games of Achilles heroes contended.


s: V  How the Arms of Achilles were cause of madness and


s: VI  How came for the helping of Troy Eurypylus,


s: VII  How the Son of Achilles was brought to the War


s: VIII  How Hercules' Grandson perished in fight with the


s: IX  How from his long lone exile returned to the war


s: X  How Paris was stricken to death, and in vain sought


s: XI  How the sons of Troy for the last time fought from


s: XII  How the Wooden Horse was fashioned, and brought


s: XIII  How Troy in the night was taken and sacked with fire


s: XIV  How the conquerors sailed from Troy unto judgment


s: How died for Troy the Queen of the Amazons, Penthesileia.


s: Passed, and the pyre had ravined up his flesh,


s: And earth had veiled his bones, the Trojans then


s: Before the might of stout-heart Aeacus' son:


s: As kine they were, that midst the copses shrink


s: But in dense thickets terror-huddled cower;


s: So in their fortress shivered these to see


s: They thought of all whose lives he reft away


s: And all that in mid-flight to that high wall


s: He slew, how he quelled Hector, how he haled


s: His corse round Troy;--yea, and of all beside


s: Laid low by him since that first day whereon


s: O'er restless seas he brought the Trojans doom.


s: Ay, all these they remembered, while they stayed


s: Thus in their town, and o'er them anguished grief


s: Hovered dark-winged, as though that very day


s: All Troy with shrieks were crumbling down in fire.


s: Then from Thermodon, from broad-sweeping streams,


s: Came, clothed upon with beauty of Goddesses,


s: For groan-resounding battle, but yet more


s: Fleeing abhorred reproach and evil fame,


s: Lest they of her own folk should rail on her


s: Because of her own sister's death, for whom


s: Whom she had struck dead with her mighty spear,


s: Not of her will--'twas at a stag she hurled.


s: So came she to the far-famed land of Troy.


s: Yea, and her warrior spirit pricked her on,


s: Of murder's dread pollution thus to cleanse


s: Her soul, and with such sacrifice to appease


s: The Awful Ones, the Erinnyes, who in wrath


s: For her slain sister straightway haunted her


s: Unseen: for ever round the sinner's steps


s: They hover; none may 'scape those Goddesses.


s: And with her followed twelve beside, each one


s: A princess, hot for war and battle grim,


s: Far-famous each, yet handmaids unto her:


s: As when in the broad sky amidst the stars


s: When through the thunderclouds the cleaving heavens


s: Open, when sleep the fury-breathing winds;


s: So peerless was she mid that charging host.


s: All these to battle fared with warrior-souled


s: Dawn, heart-exultant in her radiant steeds


s: Amidst the bright-haired Hours; and o'er them all,


s: Her splendour of beauty glows pre-eminent;


s: To right, to left, from all sides hurrying thronged


s: The Trojans, greatly marvelling, when they saw


s: The tireless War-god's child, the mailed maid,


s: Like to the Blessed Gods; for in her face


s: Her smile was ravishing: beneath her brows


s: Her love-enkindling eyes shone like to stars,


s: And with the crimson rose of shamefastness


s: Bright were her cheeks, and mantled over them


s: Unearthly grace with battle-prowess clad.


s: Then joyed Troy's folk, despite past agonies,


s: As when, far-gazing from a height, the hinds


s: When they be yearning for the heaven-sent shower,


s: When the parched fields be craving for the rain;


s: Then the great sky at last is overgloomed,


s: And men see that fair sign of coming wind


s: And imminent rain, and seeing, they are glad,


s: Who for their corn-fields' plight sore sighed before;


s: Even so the sons of Troy when they beheld


s: For when the heart is thrilled with hope of good,


s: Gladdened a little while was Priam's soul.


s: As when a man who hath suffered many a pang


s: From blinded eyes, sore longing to behold


s: The light, and, if he may not, fain would die,


s: Then at the last, by a cunning leech's skill,


s: Or by a God's grace, sees the dawn-rose flush,


s: Sees the mist rolled back from before his eyes,--


s: Yea, though clear vision come not as of old,


s: Yet, after all his anguish, joys to have


s: Some small relief, albeit the stings of pain


s: Prick sharply yet beneath his eyelids;--so


s: Joyed the old king to see that terrible queen--


s: The shadowy joy of one in anguish whelmed


s: For slain sons.  Into his halls he led the Maid,


s: And with glad welcome honoured her, as one


s: Who greets a daughter to her home returned


s: From a far country in the twentieth year;


s: As battle-glorious kings, who have brought low


s: Nations of foes, array in splendour of pomp,


s: With hearts in pride of victory triumphing.


s: And gifts he gave her costly and fair to see,


s: And pledged him to give many more, so she


s: Would save the Trojans from the imminent doom.


s: And she such deeds she promised as no man


s: Had hoped for, even to lay Achilles low,


s: To smite the wide host of the Argive men,


s: And cast the brands red-flaming on the ships.


s: Ah fool!--but little knew she him, the lord


s: Of ashen spears, how far Achilles' might


s: In warrior-wasting strife o'erpassed her own!


s: Of king Eetion, heard the wild queen's vaunt,


s: Low to her own soul bitterly murmured she:


s: "Ah hapless!  why with arrogant heart dost thou


s: Speak such great swelling words?  No strength is thine


s: To grapple in fight with Peleus' aweless son.


s: Nay, doom and swift death shall he deal to thee.


s: Alas for thee!  What madness thrills thy soul?


s: Fate and the end of death stand hard by thee!


s: Hector was mightier far to wield the spear


s: Than thou, yet was for all his prowess slain,


s: Slain for the bitter grief of Troy, whose folk


s: The city through looked on him as a God.


s: Was he while yet he lived--O that the earth


s: Over my dead face had been mounded high,


s: Or ever through his throat the breath of life


s: Followed the cleaving spear!  But now have I


s: Looked--woe is me!--on grief unutterable,


s: When round the city those fleet-footed steeds


s: Haled him, steeds of Achilles, who had made


s: My portion bitterness through all my days."


s: Low to her own soul, thinking on her lord.


s: Nurseth for her lost love undying grief.


s: Into the Ocean's deep stream sank the sun,


s: And daylight died.  So when the banqueters


s: Ceased from the wine-cup and the goodly feast,


s: Then did the handmaids spread in Priam's halls


s: For Penthesileia dauntless-souled the couch


s: Heart-cheering, and she laid her down to rest;


s: And slumber mist-like overveiled her eyes [depths


s: Like sweet dew dropping round.  From heavens' blue


s: Slid down the might of a deceitful dream


s: At Pallas' hest, that so the warrior-maid


s: Might see it, and become a curse to Troy


s: And to herself, when strained her soul to meet;


s: The whirlwind of the battle.  In this wise


s: The Trito-born, the subtle-souled, contrived:


s: Stood o'er the maiden's head that baleful dream


s: Fearlessly front to front to meet in fight


s: Fleetfoot Achilles.  And she heard the voice,


s: And all her heart exulted, for she weened


s: That she should on that dawning day achieve


s: Ah, fool, who trusted for her sorrow a dream


s: Out of the sunless land, such as beguiles


s: Full oft the travail-burdened tribes of men,


s: Whispering mocking lies in sleeping ears,


s: And to the battle's travail lured her then!


s: But when the Dawn, the rosy-ankled, leapt


s: Up from her bed, then, clad in mighty strength


s: Of spirit, suddenly from her couch uprose


s: Her shoulders in those wondrous-fashioned arms


s: Given her of the War-god.  First she laid


s: Beneath her silver-gleaming knees the greaves


s: Fashioned of gold, close-clipping the strong limbs.


s: Her rainbow-radiant corslet clasped she then


s: About her, and around her shoulders slung,


s: With glory in her heart, the massy brand


s: Whose shining length was in a scabbard sheathed


s: Unearthly splendid, caught she up, whose rim


s: Swelled like the young moon's arching chariot-rail


s: When high o'er Ocean's fathomless-flowing stream


s: She rises, with the space half filled with light


s: Betwixt her bowing horns.  So did it shine


s: She settled the bright helmet overstreamed


s: With a wild mane of golden-glistering hairs.


s: So stood she, lapped about with flaming mail,


s: In semblance like the lightning, which the might,


s: The never-wearied might of Zeus, to earth


s: Hurleth, what time he showeth forth to men


s: Fury of thunderous-roaring rain, or swoop


s: Resistless of his shouting host of winds.


s: Then in hot haste forth of her bower to pass


s: Caught she two javelins in the hand that grasped


s: Her shield-band; but her strong right hand laid hold


s: On a huge halberd, sharp of either blade,


s: That raveneth souls of men.  Laughing for glee


s: Thereover, swiftly flashed she forth the ring


s: Of towers.  Her coming kindled all the sons


s: Which crowneth men with glory.  Swiftly all


s: Hearkened her gathering-ery, and thronging came,


s: Champions, yea, even such as theretofore


s: Shrank back from standing in the ranks of war


s: Throned on a goodly steed and fleet, the gift


s: Of Oreithyia, the wild North-wind's bride,


s: Given to her guest the warrior-maid, what time


s: She came to Thrace, a steed whose flying feet


s: Could match the Harpies' wings.  Riding thereon


s: Thrusting her on into the battle, doomed


s: To be her first against the Greeks--and last!


s: To right, to left, with unreturning feet


s: The Trojan thousands followed to the fray,


s: The pitiless fray, that death-doomed warrior-maid,


s: Followed in throngs, as follow sheep the ram


s: That by the shepherd's art strides before all.


s: So followed they, with battle-fury filled,


s: Strong Trojans and wild-hearted Amazons.


s: And like Tritonis seemed she, as she went


s: Through war-hosts Eris, waker of onset-shouts.


s: So mighty in the Trojans' midst she seemed,


s: Upraised his hands, his sorrow-burdened hands,


s: Turning him toward the sky-encountering fane


s: Looks ever down on Ilium; and he prayed:


s: "Father, give ear!  Vouchsafe that on this day


s: Of this our warrior-queen, the War-god's child;


s: And do thou bring her back unscathed again


s: Unto mine halls: we pray thee by the love


s: Most wondrous like the heavenly Goddesses?


s: And is she not the child of thine own seed?


s: Pity my stricken heart withal!  Thou know'st


s: All agonies I have suffered in the deaths


s: Of dear sons whom the Fates have torn from me


s: Remains of noble Dardanus' blood, while yet


s: From ghastly slaughter and strife one breathing-space!"


s: In passionate prayer he spake:--lo, with shrill scream


s: Then round the heart of Priam all the blood


s: Was chilled with fear.  Low to his soul he said:


s: "Ne'er shall I see return alive from war


s: The Fates prepared his boding to fulfil;


s: And his heart brake with anguish of despair.


s: Marvelled the Argives, far across the plain


s: Seeing the hosts of Troy charge down on them,


s: And midst them Penthesileia, Ares' child.


s: These seemed like ravening beasts that mid the hills


s: Bring grimly slaughter to the fleecy flocks;


s: And she, as a rushing blast of flame she seemed


s: That maddeneth through the copses summer-scorched,


s: When the wind drives it on; and in this wise


s: Spake one to other in their mustering host:


s: "Who shall this be who thus can rouse to war


s: The Trojans, now that Hector hath been slain--


s: These who, we said, would never more find heart


s: Forth are they rushing, madly afire for fight!


s: Sure, in their midst some great one kindleth them


s: To battle's toil!  Thou verily wouldst say


s: This were a God, of such great deeds he dreams!


s: Our own breasts: let us summon up our might


s: Of Gods this day to close in fight with Troy."


s: So cried they; and their flashing battle-gear


s: Cast they about them: forth the ships they poured


s: Clad in the rage of fight as with a cloak.


s: Then front to front their battles closed, like beasts


s: Of ravin, locked in tangle of gory strife.


s: Clanged their bright mail together, clashed the spears,


s: The corslets, and the stubborn-welded shields


s: And adamant helms.  Each stabbed at other's flesh


s: With the fierce brass: was neither ruth nor rest,


s: And all the Trojan soil was crimson-red.


s: Eilissus; reeled Antitheus 'neath her spear


s: The pride of Lernus quelled she: down she bore


s: Hippalmus 'neath her horse-hoofs; Haemon's son


s: Died; withered stalwart Elasippus' strength.


s: Long since from Phylace, led by his lord


s: Heart-wrung with ruth and wrath to see him lie


s: Dead, of all battle-comrades best-beloved.


s: Fair as a Goddess: plunged the unswerving lance


s: 'Twixt hip and hip, and rushed the dark blood forth


s: After the spear, and all her bowels gushed out.


s: Then wroth was Penthesileia; through the brawn


s: Of his right arm she drave the long spear's point,


s: She shore atwain the great blood-brimming veins,


s: And through the wide gash of the wound the gore


s: Spirted, a crimson fountain.  With a groan


s: Backward he sprang, his courage wholly quelled


s: Thrilled, as he fled, his men of Phylace.


s: A short way from the fight he reeled aside,