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VII. Even the murderer's cheek Was blanched with horror, and his quivering lips Scarce faintly uttered—O almighty one, I tremble and obey!

O Spirit! centuries have set their seal On this heart of many wounds, and loaded brain, Since the Incarnate came: humbly he came, Veiling his horrible Godhead in the shape Of man, scorned by the world, his name unheard, Save by the rabble of his native town, Even as a parish demagogue. He led The crowd; he taught them justice, truth, and peace, In semblance; but he lit within their souls The quenchless flames of zeal, and blest the sword He brought on earth to satiate with the blood Of truth and freedom his malignant soul. At length his mortal frame was led to death. I stood beside him: on the torturing cross No pain assailed his unterrestrial sense; And yet he groaned. Indignantly, I summed The massacres and miseries which his name Had sanctioned in my country, and I cried, Go! go! in mockery. A smile of godlike malice re-illumined His fading lineaments.—I go, he cried, But thou shalt wander o'er the unquiet earth Eternally.————The dampness of the grave Bathed my imperishable front. I fell, And long lay tranced upon the charmed soil.