Page:The complete poetical works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, including materials never before printed in any edition of the poems.djvu/76



With which it cleaves the sparkling sea; and now We are embark’d—the mountains hang and frown Over the starry deep that gleams below A vast and dim expanse, as o’er the waves we go. XXIV.

And as we sailed, a strange and awful tale That Woman told, like such mysterious dream As makes the slumberer’s cheek with wonder pale! ’Twas midnight, and around, a shoreless stream, Wide ocean rolled, when that majestic theme Shrined in her heart found utterance, and she bent Her looks on mine; those eyes a kindling beam Of love divine into my spirit sent, And ere her lips could move, made the air eloquent. XXV.

Speak not to me, but hear! Much shalt thou learn, Much must remain unthought, and more untold, In the dark Future’s ever-flowing urn: Know then, that from the depth of ages old Two Powers o’er mortal things dominion hold, Ruling the world with a divided lot, Immortal, all-pervading, manifold, Twin Genii, equal Gods—when life and thought Sprang forth, they burst the womb of inessential Naught. XXVI.

The earliest dweller of the world alone, Stood on the verge of chaos: Lo! afar O’er the wide wild abyss two meteors shone, Sprung from the depth of its tempestuous jar: A blood-red Comet and the Morning Star Mingling their beams in combat—as he stood, All thoughts within his mind waged mutual war, In dreadful sympathy—when to the flood That fair Star fell, he turn’d and shed his brother’s blood. XXVII.

Thus evil triumph’d, and the Spirit of evil, One Power of many shapes which none may know, One Shape of many names; the Fiend did revel In victory, reigning o’er a world of woe, For the new race of man went to and fro, Famish’d and homeless, loathed and loathing, wild, And hating good—for his immortal foe, He changed from starry shape, beauteous and mild, To a dire Snake, with man and beast unreconciled. XXVIII.

The darkness lingering o’er the dawn of things, Was Evil’s breath and life: this made him strong To soar aloft with overshadowing wings;