Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/34

 28 REDEMPTION.

What it may be, the task is mine t' explore, And be assured, a full account I'll give."

This premised, up the gashful horror sprang, Like a tall pyramid of fire, belch'd from The entrails of Hawaiian hills, far round Illumining with lurid glare, the earth, Sea, air and sky; then, as a comet, shot The arctic zone, the temp'rate next, and from * The zenith dropp'd, in Esdrela imbosk'd, So falls th' aerolite, a blazing brand Above, below unseen, scarce ever found. The monster knew his way; celestial light Mantled the place. Another Eden 't seem'd, Fill'd with delights. Th' archangel Gabriel He saw, with all his flaming hosts, encamp' d Around in panoply of war; and saw 0, hateful sight ! the new created Eve, That primal Frond from whence was fresh derived The Rod divine, destined to crush his head.

" This, then, is that upstart," he mused, "promised So long, now come to conquer me. How, is Not said; like to the rest, I trow, tickled With straws, or with some bauble bought. Vain ev'r, Oft most, when best. And thinks my enemy Thus to repair his loss? With feeble flesh, Anew to tempt my sport, not prowess, who Stood in bold array, unconquer'd, before The mightiest he could send ? He but derides The work of his own hands, and moves our mirth; Albeit our spite not less revengeful burns. But I at once essay this new device, And doubt not, as of all the rest, to taint."

�� �