So lately found, and so abruptly gone,— And for a time caught up to God—as once The city of palms, Ænon, and Salem old, Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek Where winds with reeds and osiers whispering play, Their unexpected loss and plaints out breathed : 66 Expected of our fathers; we have heard "His words-his wisdom-full of grace and truth: "Thus we rejoiced, but soon our joy is turned 20 30 "For whither is he gone? what accident "Hath rapt him from us? will he now retire 40 "After appearance, and again prolong "Our expectation? God of Israel, "Send thy Messiah forth; the time is come! "Behold the kings of the earth, how they oppress "Thy chosen ;-to what height their power unjust 66 They have exalted, and behind them cast "All fear of thee: arise, and vindicate "Thy glory; free thy people from their yoke! "But let us wait; thus far he hath performed, "Sent his Anointed, and to us revealed him, 66 'By his great prophet, pointed at and shown "In public, and with him we have conversed: "Let us be glad of this, and all our fears 66 Lay on his providence; he will not fail, "Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence: Thus they, out of their plaints, new hope resume To find whom at the first they found unsought: But, to his mother Mary, when she saw Others returned from baptism,-not her Son,— Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, 66 Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad: "Hail, highly favoured, among women blest!' "In such a season born, when scarce a shed "Thence into Egypt, till the murderous king "From Egypt home returned, in Nazareth 'By John the Baptist, and in public shown,— "Son owned from Heaven by his Father's voice,"I looked for some great change; to honour ?-no; "But trouble; as old Simeon plain foretold, "That to the fall and rising he should be "Of many in Israel, and to a sign 50 60 70 80 'Spoken against; that through my very soul "A sword shall pierce: this is my favoured lot— "My exaltation to afflictions high: "Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest! "I will not argue that, nor will repine. 90 "But where delays he now? Some great intent 'My heart hath been a storehouse long of things All his great work, to come, before him set ;- Had left him vacant; and with speed was gone Up to the middle regions of thick air, Where all his potentates in council sat : There without sign of boast, or sign of joy, Solicitous and blank, he thus began: 120 "Princes, Heaven's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones ! "Demonian Spirits now, from the element "Each of his reign allotted, rightlier called "Powers of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath, "So may we hold our place and these mild seats "Without new trouble!—such an enemy "Is risen to invade us, who no less "Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell; "I, as I undertook, and with the vote "Consenting in full frequence was empowered, "Have found him, viewed him, tasted him; but find "Far other labour to be undergone "Than when I dealt with Adam, first of men "(Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell), "However to this man inferior far; "If he be man by mother's side at least,— "With more than human gifts from Heaven adorned, "And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. 66 Thought none my equal, now be overmatched." So spake the old serpent, doubting; and from all, With clamour, was assured their utmost aid 130 140 At his command: when from amidst them rose 150 The sensuallest; and after Asmodai, The fleshliest incubus; and thus advised: 66 "Set women in his eye, and in his walk, Among daughters of men the fairest found : "As the noon sky; more like to Goddesses "Than mortal creatures; graceful and discreet; Expert in amorous arts-enchanting tongues "Such object hath the power to soften and tame "Women, when nothing else, beguiled the heart 160 "Of wisest Solomon, and made him build,— To whom quick answer Satan thus returned: "Or Amymone, Syrinx,-many more "Too long; then layst thy scapes on names adored, 170 180 66 Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan? But these haunts "Delight not all: among the sons of men, "How many have, with a smile, made small account "Of beauty and her lures, easily scorned "All her assaults, on worthier things intent! 66 "Thence to the bait of women lay exposed: "But he, whom we attempt, is wiser far 66 190 200 |