Page:Prometheus bound - Browning (1833).djvu/131

 By an eterne volution, oversweep The heights of wisdom, and invade her depths: So, knowing all things, should we have all power; For is not knowledge power? But mighty spells Our operation sear: the Babel must, Or ere it touch the sky, fall down to earth: The web, half form'd, must tumble from our hands, And, ere they can resume it, lie decay'd. Mind struggles vainly from the flesh. E'en so, Hell's angel (saith a scroll apocryphal) Shall, when the latter days of earth have shrunk Before the blast of God, affect his heav'n; Lift his scarr'd brow, confirm his rebel heart, Shoot his strong wings, and darken pole and pole,— Till day be blotted into night; and shake The fever'd clouds, as if a thousand storms Throbb'd into life! Vain hope—vain strength—vain flight! God's arm shall meet God's foe, and hurl him back!