Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/140

126 The chant of the prophetess, louder and loftier than tempest and wave, Rang triumph more ruthless and prouder than death, and profound as the grave. And sweet as the moon's word spoken in smiles that the blown clouds mar The psalmist's witness in token arose as the speech of a star. Starlight supreme, and the tender desire of the moon, were as one To rebuke with compassion the splendor and strength of the godlike sun. God softened and changed: and the word of his chosen, a fire at the first, Bade man, as a beast or a bird, now slake at the springs his thirst. The souls that were sealed unto death as the bones of the dead lie sealed Rose thrilled and redeemed by the breath of the dawn on the flame-lit field. The glories of darkness, cloven with music of thunder, shrank As the web of the word was unwoven that spake, and the soul's tide sank. And the starshine of midnight that covered Arabia with light as a robe Waxed fiery with utterance that hovered and flamed through the whirlwind on Job. And prophet to prophet and vision to vision made answer sublime, Till the valley of doom and decision was merged in the tides of time.

Yet was not the work of thy word all withered with wasting flame By the sons of the priests that had slain thee, whose evil was wrought in thy name. From the blood-sodden soil that was blasted with fire of the Church and her creed