Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/480

 464 WILLIAM E. GILMORE. [I80O-GO. This Tishbite scoffer dares our god con- temn, Mock at his power, his worshipers con- demn. An altar build ; your votive ofF'rings pay. With mystic rites supernal powers obey, Call from the clouds the lightning's vivid flame, That Israel may learn to venerate his " Stand forth, thou scoffer! " Forth Elijah stood, Calm and erect where others lowly bowed. " Wilt thou persist in troubling Israel yet?" " Abab ! not I ; but thou and thine for- get God, and his law, on awful Sinai given, And bring on Jacob's seed the curse of heaven ! Repent, ! king ; for lo ! this day the Lord Will fearful vengeance take, and be by earth adored. " Ye Priests of Baal ! ye Prophets of the Grove ! Hear now the word which cometh from above : This day ye perish ! Go now, and obey Thy king's command, thy impious homage pay ; Bow down to yonder senseless block of stone, Which ye regard as God ; when ye have done The orgies vain, I'll pile an altar here And call upon His name who hears and answers prayer ! " With anger paled the monarch on his throne : "Thy choice is final! Let the work speed on," He cried, enraged ; " and reckless dotard ! hear This further : now by all the gods ! I swear That while the fire consumes the sacred wood. And hissing hcks the bullock's pouring blood. Thou shalt be thrown to writhe amid the flame ; And thus shall perish all who mock Baal's holy name ! " Elijah heard the horrid threat, and shout Which rose in fierce approval ; but with- out A word or changing feature to betray Fear of untoward issue to the day. In holy ecstasy he stood ; his soul Enrapt, felt only the divine control ; All human feelings for the moment gone, God's awful spirit reigned within his breast alone. The work is done. The offered bullock's blood Dripped slowly o'er the perfumed sandal wood, While frankincense and myiTh and spices rare Mingled I'ich odors with the sultry air. Prophets and Priests in circling ranks around Prostrate to earth, their foreheads to the ground. Shouted in unison the idle prayer Till Carmel trembled to the cry, " Hear, Baal ! O, hear ! Subsiding oft, then swelling forth again. The cry arose, in repetition vain, "Hear, Baal! O, hear!" till from the zenith shone Upon the impious scene, the noonday sun.