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64 The wisdom of old age was mingled there
 * With youth's primæval dauntlessness;
 * And inexpressible woe,

Chastened by fearless resignation, gave An awful grace to his all-speaking brow.

SPIRIT.
 * Is there a God?

AHASUERUS. Is there a God?—aye, an almighty God, And vengeful as almighty! Once his voice Was heard on earth: earth shuddered at the sound; The fiery-visaged firmament expressed Abhorrence, and the grave of nature yawned To swallow all the dauntless and the good That dared to hurl defiance at his throne, Girt as it was with power. None but slaves Survived,—cold-blooded slaves, who did the work Of tyrannous omnipotence; whose souls No honest indignation ever urged To elevated daring, to one deed Which gross and sensual self did not pollute. These slaves built temples for the omnipotent, Gorgeous and vast: the costly altars smoked With human blood, and hideous pæans rung Through all the long-drawn aisles. A murderer heard His voice in Egypt, one whose gifts and arts Had raised him to his eminence in power,