Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/220

 214 REDEMPTION.

When terrors crown'd the mount, where laws

Promulged the mulct of sin ; but peace this,

And dawning light, with ray serene, portray'd.

So Saul of Tarsus, breathing threats of death,

This vision saw, and struck with blindness, fell.

Beneath his feet as liquid crystal seem'd,

White, clear; whilst dazzling rays, on all sides round,

Up as a fountain luminous arose,

In countless streams, celestial bright and pure.

His garments whiter than the driven snow,

Canescent glow'd with th' increated beams,

Beams inaccessible, serene effulged,

That from eternity the throne imbow,

And veil the Deity as with a cloud;

Dark from excess profound, unfathom'd bright,

Which seraphs, thrones, and powers explore, nor scan

Undazzled, but enthrill'd, their faces veil'd,

Prostrate on heaven's golden pavement fall,

And hide them from the else too radiant beams.

Nor stand the chosen three; but, sore afraid,

Prone, on their faces fall, enerved, when from

A bright o'ershadowing cloud, the Father's voice

Was heard exclaim : " This is my Son, beloved,

In whom I am well pleased ; the figure

Of my substance, substance of myself,

Who equal with me, and eternal reigns;

In whom alone, who me would please, can please,

Through whom alone, the Saints be raised to bliss,

And by whom the redeem'd are saved from death.

Him, shall ye hear, true Teacher of the world,

In whom the law by Moses is fulfill'd,

Old things dispensed, all things become as new.

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