Than ever palsied in her wildest dream

Hag-ridden Superstition. Then Despair

284

Seized on the Maid whose curdling blood stood still, And placed her in the seat, and on they pass'd

Adown the deep descent.

A meteor light

Shot from the dæmons, as they dragg'd along

The unwelcome load, and mark'd their brethren feast On carcasses.

Below, the vault dilates

290

Its ample bulk. "Look here!"-Despair addrest The shuddering Virgin, "see the dome of Death!” It was a spacious cavern, hewn amid

The entrails of the earth, as though to form

A grave for all mankind: no eye could reach, 295 Its distant bounds. There, throned in darkness, dwelt The unseen power of Death.

Reaching the destined spot.

Here stopt the Gouls,

The fiend stept out,

And from the coffin as he led the Maid,

Exclaim'd, "Where mortal never stood before, 300 Thou standest: look around this boundless vault; Observe the dole that Nature deals to man,

And learn to know thy friend."

She answer'd not,

Observing where the Fates their several tasks 304 Plied ceaseless. "Mark how long the shortest web Allow'd to man!" he cried; "observe how soon, Twined round yon never-resting wheel, they change Their snowy hue, darkening through many a shade, Till Atropos relentless shuts the sheers." 309

Drawn from the heap, as white as unsunn'd snow, Or as the spotless lily of the vale,

Was never one beyond the little span

Of infancy untainted: few there were

But lightly tinged; more of deep crimson hue, 315 Or deeper sable died. Two Genii stood,

319

Still as the web of being was drawn forth,
Sprinkling their powerful drops. From ebon urn,
The one unsparing dash'd the bitter drops
Of woe; and as he dash'd, his dark-brown brow
Relax'd to a hard smile. The milder form
Shed less profusely there his lesser store;
Sometimes with tears increasing the scant boon,
Compassionating man; and happy he

324

Who on his thread those precious tears receives;
If it be happiness to have the pulse

That throbs with pity, and in such a world
Of wretchedness, the generous heart that aches
With anguish at the sight of human woe.

330

To her the fiend, well hoping now success, "This is thy thread; observe how short the span; And little doth the evil Genius spare

335

His bitter tincture there." The Maiden saw
Calmly. "Now gaze!" the tempter fiend exclaim'd,
And placed again the poniard in her hand,
For Superstition, with a burning torch,
Approach'd the loom. "This, Damsel, is thy fate!
The hour draws on —now strike the dagger home!
Strike now, and be at rest!"

The Maid replied,

"Or to prevent or change the will of Heaven, 340 Impious I strive not: let that will be done!"

THE VISION

OF

THE MAID OF ORLEANS.

THE SECOND BOOK.

SHE spake, and lo! celestial radiance beam'd
Amid the air, such odours wafting now
As erst came blended with the evening gale,
From Eden's bowers of bliss. An angel form
Stood by the Maid; his wings, ethereal white,
Flash'd like the diamond in the noon-tide sun,
Dazzling her mortal eye: all else appear'd
Her Theodore.

Amazed she saw: the fiend

Was fled, and on her ear the well-known voice
Sounded, though now more musically sweet
Than ever yet had thrill'd her soul attuned,
When eloquent affection fondly told

The day-dreams of delight.

5

10

"Beloved Maid!

15

Lo! I am with thee, still thy Theodore!
Hearts in the holy bands of love combined,

A little while and thou shalt dwell with me,
In scenes where sorrow is not. Cheerily
Tread thou the path that leads thee to the grave,
Rough though it be and painful, for the grave
Is but the threshold of eternity.

20

"Favour'd of Heaven, to thee is given to view These secret realms. The bottom of the abyss Thou treadest, Maiden. Here the dungeons are Where bad men learn repentance. Souls diseased Must have their remedy; and where disease Is rooted deep, the remedy is long

Perforce, and painful."

Thus the spirit spake,

And led the Maid along a narrow path,

Dark gleaming to the light of far-off flames,

26

30

35

More dread than darkness. Soon the distant sound
Of clanking anvils, and the lengthen'd breath
Provoking fire are heard: and now they reach
A wide expanded den where all around
Tremendous furnaces, with hellish blaze,
Were burning. At the heaving bellows stood
The meagre form of Care, and as he blew
To augment the fire, the fire augmented scorch'd
His wretched limbs; sleepless for ever thus
He toil'd and toil'd, of toil no end to know
But endless toil and never-ending woe.

40

An aged man went round the infernal vault, Urging his workmen to their ceaseless task; White were his locks, as is the wintry snow On hoar Plinlimmon's head. A golden staff 45

His steps supported: powerful talisman,
Which whoso feels shall never feel again
The tear of pity, or the throb of love.
Touch'd but by this, the massy gates give way,
The buttress trembles, and the guarded wall,
Guarded in vain, submits. Him heathens erst
Had deified, and bowed the suppliant knee
To Plutus. Nor are now his votaries few,
Even though our blessed Saviour hath himself
Told us, that easier through the needle's eye
Shall the huge camel pass, than the rich man
Enter the gates of heaven. "Ye cannot serve
Your God, and worship Mammon."

50

55

"Mission'd Maid!"

So spake the spirit, "know that these, whose hands
Round each white furnace ply the unceasing toil,
Were Mammon's slaves on earth. They did not spare
To wring from poverty the hard-earn'd mite,
62
They robb'd the orphan's pittance, they could see
Want's asking eye unmoved; and therefore these,
Ranged round the furnace, still must persevere 65
In Mammon's service, scorch'd by these fierce fires,
Nor seldom by the overboiling ore

Caught; yet retaining still, to punishment
Converted here, their old besetting sin,
Often impatiently to quench their thirst
Unquenchable, large draughts of molten gold
They drink insatiate, still with pain renew'd,
Pain to destroy."

So saying, her he led

Forth from the dreadful cavern to a cell,

70