Page:The prophetic books of William Blake, Milton.djvu/34

 In Palamabron's Tent, and Oothoon was her charming guard.

The Bard Ceas'd. All consider'd and a loud resounding murmur

Continu'd round the Halls and much they question'd the immortal

Loud voic'd Bard, and many condemn'd the high toned Song,

Saying: Pity and Love are too venerable for the imputation

Of Guilt. Others said: If it is true, if the acts have been performed,

Let the Bard himself witness. Where hadst thou this terrible Song?

The Bard replied: I am Inspired! I know it is Truth! for I Sing

P. 12 ACCORDING to the inspiration of the Poetic Genius,

Who is the eternal all protecting Divine Humanity,

To whom be Glory & Power & Dominion Evermore. Amen.

Then there was great murmuring in the Heavens of Albion

Concerning Generation & the Vegetative power & concerning

The Lamb the Saviour. Albion trembled to Italy, Greece & Egypt

To Tartary & Hindostan & China & to Great America,

Shaking the roots & fast foundations of the Earth in doubtfulness:

The loud voic'd Bard terrify'd took refuge in Milton's Bosom.

Then Milton rose up from the heavens of Albion ardorous:

The whole Assembly wept prophetic, seeing in Milton's face

And in his lineaments divine the shades of Death and Ulro:

He took off the robe of the promise, & ungirded himself from the oath of God.

And Milton said: I go to Eternal Death! The Nations still

Follow after the detestable Gods of Priam: in pomp

Of warlike selfhood contradicting and blaspheming.

When will the Resurrection come to deliver the sleeping body

From corruptibility; O when, Lord Jesus, wilt thou come.

Tarry no longer, for my soul lies at the gates of death.

I will arise and look forth for the morning of the grave:

I will go down to the sepulcher to see if morning breaks:

I will go down to self annihilation and eternal death:

Lest the Last Judgment come & find me unannihilate

And I be seiz'd & giv'n into the hands of my own Selfhood.

The Lamb of God is seen thro' mists & shadows, hov'ring

Over the sepulchers in clouds of Jehovah & winds of Elohim,

A disk of blood distant; & heav'ns & earths roll dark between.

What do I here before the Judgment? without my Emanation?

With the daughters of memory & not with the daughters of inspiration?

I in my Selfhood am that Satan. I am that Evil One! 10