KEDEMPTION. 61
He comes ! the conqu'ring King of glory comes ! His standard glimmers in the sky, the hosts Of heav'n commingle in his train, and earth Prepares his way. The hills and vales rejoice, Floods clap their hands, and nature loud acclaims. Like the young lion shall he seize his prey, Or as the torrent sweep them from his sight ; The mightiest of your chiefs, he dumb shall strike, And scatter all your bands, or melt away As glitt'ring dew before the morning sun. Your empire now, Satan, is destroy' d, For out of Jacob cometh who shall rule; The Rod of Isai, who his foes destroys. Back to your dens, ye demons; nor, envious, More delude the sons of men, if 't may be, Th' impending ruin hov'ring o'er your heads, Ye still may shun, or 'scape increase of wrath. Mine eye shall see him, but, alas ! from far ; Mine eye behold him, but to meet his scorn. Oh ! that my soul had lived the just man's life, That my last ending might have been as his, Nor I tormented in these seething flames."
Incens'd, the devils heard his plaintive voice, And threaten'd vengeance on the daring seer; But, bent on higher quarry, heeding not The sure presage, swift, earthward wing'd their way.
��THE END OP THE SECOND BOOK.
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