128
GONDIBERT,
13.
Black beauty (which black Meroens had prais'd
Above their own) gravely adorn'd each part;
In Stone, from Nyle's head Quarries, slowly rais'd,
And slowlyer polish'd by Numidian Art.
Black beauty (which black Meroens had prais'd
Above their own) gravely adorn'd each part;
In Stone, from Nyle's head Quarries, slowly rais'd,
And slowlyer polish'd by Numidian Art.
14.
Hither a loud Bells tole, rather commands,
Than seems t'invite the persecuted Ear;
A summons Nature hardly understands;
For few, and slow are those who enter here.
Hither a loud Bells tole, rather commands,
Than seems t'invite the persecuted Ear;
A summons Nature hardly understands;
For few, and slow are those who enter here.
15.
Within a dismal Majesty they find!
All gloomy great, all silent does appear!
As Chaos was, ere th'Elements were design'd;
Man's evil fate seems hid and fashion'd here.
Within a dismal Majesty they find!
All gloomy great, all silent does appear!
As Chaos was, ere th'Elements were design'd;
Man's evil fate seems hid and fashion'd here.
16.
Here all the Ornament is rev'rend black;
Here, the check'd Sun his universal Face
Stops bashfully, and will no enterance make;
As if he spy'd Night naked through the Glass.
Here all the Ornament is rev'rend black;
Here, the check'd Sun his universal Face
Stops bashfully, and will no enterance make;
As if he spy'd Night naked through the Glass.
17.
Black Curtains hide the Glass; whilst from on high
A winking Lamp still threatens all the Room;
As if the lazy flame just now would die:
Such will the Sun's last light appear at Doom!
Black Curtains hide the Glass; whilst from on high
A winking Lamp still threatens all the Room;
As if the lazy flame just now would die:
Such will the Sun's last light appear at Doom!
18.
This Lamp was all, that here inform'd all Eyes;
And by reflex, did on a Picture gain
Some few false Beams, that thence from Sodom rise;
Where Pencils feign the fire which Heav'n did rain.
This Lamp was all, that here inform'd all Eyes;
And by reflex, did on a Picture gain
Some few false Beams, that thence from Sodom rise;
Where Pencils feign the fire which Heav'n did rain.
19.
This on another Tablet did reflect,
Where twice was drawn the am'rous Magdaline;
Whilst beauty was her care, then her neglect;
And brightest through her Tears she seem'd to shine.
This on another Tablet did reflect,
Where twice was drawn the am'rous Magdaline;
Whilst beauty was her care, then her neglect;
And brightest through her Tears she seem'd to shine.
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