In Palamabron's Tent, and Oothoon was her charming guard.
45The 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,
50Let 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
5Concerning 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.
10Then 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
15Follow 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.
20I 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.
25The 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?
10
