Page:Shelley, a poem, with other writings (Thomson, Debell).djvu/23

Rh Most beautiful in the eternal youth Of those who ever breathe the heavenly air Of perfect holiness and love and truth; Most bright in full-flusht fervour, standing there With half-spread wings and backward-streaming hair, As if alit for but a moment's rest While speeding forward on his single quest.

Then Raphael laid a benedictive hand On that pure brow, and spake in gentle tone— "Thou dear, dear Child of God, than whom doth stand  No purer humbler spirit near His throne,   And none more ardent to speed forth alone On any errand from the bliss above In single-hearted and unbounded love;

"Thy service is accepted: thou shalt pall  In mortal flesh thy seraphood sublime; A witness of the one true Lord of all   Amidst a world gone mad with sin and crime,   A prophet of the glorious Future time And of Eternity when Time is past Amidst the Present of a world aghast.

"I see the storm's commencing clouds of gloom,  I see the storm's first lightnings fiercely flash, I hear the storm's first thunders roll and boom,   I hear the storm's first ruins quake and crash,—   O Man, thy judgment-wrath is wild and rash! ...Go down, dear Child; and may God give thee power To serve Him loyally thro' this stern hour."