Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/79

 REDEMPTION. 73

Like that which nightly o'er some marshy ground,

The dubious wayfarer, uncertain mocks,

Moves here and there, as suits the veering breeze,

Seems partly chance, and part instinct with life.

Thus wafted on the air, and aery-light,

The Devil leaps the unprotected fold

Within ; but, back as suddenly recoils,

As if repell'd by some superior pow'r.

So an elastic ball, forceful impinged

On some resisting plane, instant rebounds,

And flies with equal force adverse repell'd.

Thrice he essays to reach her ear, and thrice

Repulsed, falls back astonish'd. Innocence,

Stronger than wall of adamant, imbow'd

Her sacred form, defended her chaste ear,

And kept the wily Tempter far at bay;

Who feels how impotent -his pow'r, how vain

His toils and rage, 'gainst her superior mold. .

Persistive, he renews his vain assaults,

And still rebuked, gains naught but fresh chagrin.

So flits the moth around the tap'ring flame ;

Heedless, it plunges in the dazzling ray,

Till, sing'd and maim'd, with wings and legs scorch'd off,

In agony it falls, and hapless lies.

The ruby beams of blushing morn dispersed The shades of night. With them, dispirited, Subdued, Satan to Esdrela withdrew, To ruminate on his adventure strange, And re-concoct how he might new assail, Or with what weapons temper hoped success. His fellows saw, though seeming inattent, Their chief return abash' d, crestfallen, low,

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