1715. Robert Southey to Walter Savage Landor, [25/26 November 1809]*

22.

The strong foundations of the inmost EarthRest upon Padalon. That icy moundWhich girt the mortal Ocean roundReachd the profound;Ice in the region of the upper air.Crystal midway, & adamant below,Whose strength sufficed to bearThe weight of all this upper world of ours,And with its rampart closd to the Realm of Woe.Eight gates hath Padalon, eight heavenly PowersHave them in charge, each alway at his post,Lest from their penal caves the accursed hostMaugre the might of Bali & the GodShould break & carry ruin all abroad.

Those gates stand ever open, night & day,And Souls of mortal menFor ever throng the way.Some from the dolorous denChildren of sin & wrath, no more return.Others whose deeds createFor them a happier fate,Pass joyfully beyond this glowing bournThe dread sojournOf guilt & twin-born punishment & woe,And wild remorse, here linkd with worse despair,They to the Eastern Gate rejoicing go,The Ship of Heaven awaits their coming there,And on they sail, greeting the blessed lightThro realms of upper air,Bound for the Swerga once. But now no more Their voyage rests upon that happy shore,Since Indra by the dreadful Rajahs mightCompelld hath taken flight:On to the second World their way they wend;And there in trembling hope await the doubtful end.

Yet still in them doth Hope predominateFaiths precious privilege, while higher PowersGive way to fear in these portentous hours.Behold the Wardens eight,Each silent at his gateExpectant stands! They turn their anxious eyesWithin, & listening to the distant dinOf mutinous uproar, each in all his hands Holds all his weapons, ready for the fight.For hark! what clamorous criesUpon Kehama for deliverance vile!Come Rajah! they exclaim, too long to groanIn torments. Come Deliverer! yonder throneAwaits thee, – now Kehama – Rajah now,Earthly Almighty wherefore tarriest thou?Such were the sound which rung in wild uproarOer all the echoing vaults of Padalon,And as the asuras from the brazen floorStruggling against their fetters, strove to rise,Their clashing chains were heard, & shrieks & criesWith curses mixd, against the Fiends who urgeFierce on their rebel limbs the avenging scourge.

These were the sounds which at the Southern gateAssaild Ereenias ear. Alighting hereHe laid before Neroodi’s feet the MaidWho pale & cold with fearHung on his neck, well nigh a lifeless weight.

Who & what art thou, cried the Guardian PowerSight so unwonted wondering to behold,O Son of Light!Who comest here at this portentous hour,When Yamens throneTrembles, & all our might can scarce keep downThe rebel race from seizing Padalon!Who & what art thou? & what wild despairOr wilder hope, from realms of upper airTempts thee to bearThis mortal Maid to our forlorn abode?Fitter for her I ween the Swerga BowersAnd sweet society of Heavenly PowersThan this, a doleful scene,Even in securest hours.And whither would ye go?Alas! can human or celestial earUnmaddend hearThe shrieks & yellings of infernal woe.Can living flesh & bloodEndure the passage of the Fiery Flood!

Lord of the Gate, replied the GlendoveerWe come obedient to the will of FateAnd happy doomd to bringHope & salvation to the Infernal King,For Seeva sends us here.Even He to whom futurity is knownThe Holiest bade us go to Yamens throneThou seest my precious charge.With thee secure from harm, I leave herWhile I ascend to bear her father down.Beneath the shelter of thy arm receive her!

Then quoth he to the MaidBe of good chear my Kalyal! dearest dearIn faith subdue thy dread,Anon I shall be here. So having said,Aloft with vigorous bound the Glendoveer,Sprung in celestial might,And soaring up in spiral circles woundHis indefatigable flight.

But as he thus departed,The Maid who at Neroodi’s feet was lyingLike one entranced or dying,Recovering strength from sudden terror startedAnd gazing after him with straining sightAnd straining arms she stoodAs if in attitude To woo him back from flight.Yea she had shapd his nameFor utterance, to recall & bid him stayNor leave her thus alone; but virtuous shameRepressd the unbidden sounds upon their way,And calling faith to aidEven in that fearful hour the pious MaidCollected courage, till she seemd to beCalm & in hope, such power hath piety.Before the Giant Keeper of the GateShe crost her patient arms, & at his feetPrepared to meetThe aweful will of Fate with equal mindShe took her seat resignd.

Even the stern trouble of Neroodis browRelaxd as he beheld the valiant Maid.Hope long unfelt till nowRose in his heart reviving, & a smileDawnd in his brightening countenance the whileHe gazd on her with wonder & delightThe blessing of the Powers of the Padalon,Virgin, be on thee! cried the admiring God,And blessed be the hour that gave thee birthDaughter of Earth!For thou to this forlorn abode hast broughtHope who too long hath been a stranger here.And certes for no lamentable lotNatures, who erreth not,To thee that heart of fortitude hath givenThose eyes of purity, that face of love,There is no truth aboveIf thou be’est not the inheritrix of heaven.

Thus as Naroodi spake, his brow severeShone with an inward joy; for sure he thoughtWhen Seeva sent so fair a creature hereIn this momentous hourEre long the Worlds deliverance would be wroughtAnd Padalon escape the Rajahs powerWith pious mind the Maid, in humble guiseInclin’d, receivd his blessing silently,And raisd her grateful eyesA moment, then againAbas’d them at his presence. Hark! on highThe sound of coming wings: her anxious earsHave caught the distant sound. Ereenia bringsHis burden down. Up starting from her seatHow joyfully she rearsHer eager head! & scarce upon the groundLadurlads giddy feet their footing found,When with her trembling arms she clasps him roundNo word of greetingNor other sign of joy at that strange meetingExpectant of their fate,Silent & hand in hand,Before the Imperial GateThe Father & his heavenly Daughter stand

Then to Neroodi said the Glendoveer,No heaven-born eer hath visitedThis region drear & dread, but I the firstWho tread the World accurst.Lord of the Gate to whom these realms are knownDirect my fated way to Yamens throne

Bring forth my chariot, Carmala! quothThe Keeper of the way –It was the Car whereinOn Yamens festal dayWhen all the Powers of Hell attend their King,Yearly to Yamenpur did he repairTo pay his homage therePoisd on a single wheel it movd alongInstinct with motion: by what wonderous skillCompact, no human tongue could tellNor human wit devise; but on that wheelMoving or still,As if an inward life sustaind its weightSupported stood the Car of miracle.

Then Carmela brought forth two mantles wideAs the swans breast, & bright as mountain snowWhen from the wintry skyThe Sun, late-rising shines upon the heightAnd willing vapours fill the vale belowNot without pain the unacustomd sightThat brightness could sustain,For neither mortal stainNor parts corruptible remain,Nor aught that time could touch or force destroyIn that pure web whereof the robes were wrought.So long had it in tenfold fires been tried,And blanchd & to that brightness purified.Apparelld thus alone,Children of Earth, Neroodi criedIn safety may ye pass to Yamens throne.Thus only can your living flesh & bloodEndure the passage of the Fiery Flood.

Of other frame, O Son of Heaven, art thou,Yet hast thou now to goThro regions which thy heavenly mould will try.Glory unutterably bright I know,And beams intense of empyrean lightThine eye divine can bear. But fires of woeThe sight of torments, & the cryOf absolute despair,Might not these things dismay thee on thy flight,And thy strong pennons flag & fail thee then?Trust not thy good heart, which horror might assailAnd pity quail.Pity, in these abodes of no avail.But take thy seat this mortal pair beside,And Carmela the infernal car will guide,Go, & may happy end your way betide!So as he spake the self-movd Car rolld on,And lo! they pass the Gate of Padalon.

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23.

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Whoeer hath lovd with venturous step to treadThe chamber dreadOf some deep cave, & see his tapers beamLost in the arch of darkness overhead,And mark its gleamPlaying afar upon the silent stream.Where from their secret bedAnd course unknown & inaccessibleThe sunless waters well:Whoeer hath trod such caves of endless night,When measuring back the wayHe knows with what delight refreshd his eyePerceives the shadow of the light of day,Thro the far portal slanting where it fallsDimly reflected on the watry wallsHow heavenly seems the skyAnd how with quickened feet he hastens up,Eager again to greetThe living World & blessed sunshine there,And drink as from a cupOf joy, with thirsty lips the open air

Far other light than that of day there shoneUpon the travellers entering PadalonThey too in darkness entered on their way,But far before the CarA glow as of a fiery furnace lightFill’d all before them. Twas a light which madeDarkness itself appearA thing of comfort, & the sight dismaydShrunk inward from the molten atmosphere.Their way was thro the adamantine rockWhich girt the World of Woe; on either sideIts massive walls arose, & overheadArchd the long passage. Onward as they rideWith stronger glare the light around them spreadAnd lo! the regions dreadThe World of Woe before them, opening wide.

There rolls the Fiery FloodGirding the realms of Padalon around.A sea of flame it seemd to beSea without boundFor neither mortal nor immortal sightCould pierce across thro that intensest light.A single rib of steelKeen as the edge of keenest scymetar Spread this wide gulph of fire. The infernal CarRolld to the gulph, & on its single wheelSelf-balanced rose upon that edge of steel.Red quivering float the vapours overhead,The fiery gulph beneath them spread,Tosses its billowing blaze with rush & roar,Steady & swift the self-movd Chariot wentWinning the long ascent,Then downward rolling gaind the farther shore.

But Oh what sounds & sights of woeWhat sights & sounds of fear,Assail the mortal travellers here.Their way was on a causey straight & wide,Where penal vaults on either side were seenRanged like the cells whereinThose wonderous winged alchemists infoldTheir luscious stores of liquid gold.Thick walls of adamant divideThe dungeons, & from yonder circling floodOff streams of fire thro secret channels glide,And wind among them, & in each provideAn everlasting foodOf righteous torments for the accursed brood.

Different the dole of torments to the sumOf their offences portiond rightfully.In baths of fire the worst Offenders lieImmerst, or upon beds of molten oreWelter eternally.Others are fastend prone upon the floorWith adamantine chains,While on their substance inconsumableLeeches of fire for ever hang & pull,And worms of fire for ever gnaw their foodThat still renewd,Freshens for ever their perpetual pains.

These were the race who in their mightConfiding impiously, would fain have drivenThe Deities supreme from highest Heaven.But by the Suras in celestial fightOppposd & put to flightHere in their penal dens the accursed crewNot for its crime, but for its failure rueTheir wild ambition: yet again they longThe contest to renew,And wield their arms again in happier hour,And with united powerFollowing Kehamas triumph to press onFrom World to World, & Heaven to Heaven, & SphereTo Sphere, till Hemakoot shall be their own,And Meru mount, & Indras Swerga BowersAnd Bramas region where the year-long HoursWeave the vast circle of his ample day.Even over Veeshnoos empyreal seatThey trust the Rajah shall extend their sway,And that the hundred-headed Snake whereonThe strong Preserver sets his conquering feet,Will rise & shake him headlong from his throne,When with their irresistible array,Amid the milky Sea they force their way,Even higher yet their frantic thoughts aspire,Yea, on their beds of torment as they lieThe highest holiest Seeva they defyAnd tell him they shall have anon their dayWhen they will storm his throne, & seize Mount Calasay.Such impious hopes tormentTheir raging hearts, impious & impotent,And now with unendurable desireAnd lust of vengeance, that like inward fireDoth aggravate their punishment, they raveUpon Kehama; him the accursed routAcclaim with furious cries & maddening shout They call on him to saveKehama they exclaim,Thundering the dreadful echo rolls about,And Hells wide arch repeats Kehamas name

Over these dens of punishment the hostOf Padalon maintain eternal guard,Keeping upon the wall their vigilant ward.At every angle stoodA watch tower, the Decurion Demons post,Where raisd on high he viewd with sleepless eyeHis trust, that all was well. And over these Such was the perfect discipline of Hell,Captains of fifties & of hundreds heldAuthority, each in his loftier towerAnd Chiefs of legions over them had powerAnd that all Hell with towers was girt aroundAloft the brazen turrets shoneIn the red light of Padalon,And on the walls betweenDark moving the infernal guards were seen.Gigantic Demons, pacing to & fro,Who ever & anonSpreading their crimson pennons plunged belowFaster to rivet down the Asuras chains,And with the snaky scourge & fiercer painsRepress their rage rebellious. Loud aroundIn mingled sound the echoing lash, the clashOf chains, the ponderous hammers iron strokeWith execrations, groans, & shrieks & criesAnd thro the din their brokeLike thunder heard thro all the roaring windsThe dreadful name. Kehama! still they raveHasten & save!Now – now Deliverer, now Kehama nowEarthly Almighty, wherefore tarriest thou

Oh if that name abhorrdThus utterd could well-nighDismay the powers of Hell & daunt their LordHow fearfully to Kalyals ear it came!She as the Car rolld on its rapid wayBent down her head, & closd her eyes for dreadAnd deafening with strong effort from withinHer ears against the din,Covered & prest them close with both her handsSure if the mortal Maiden had not fed On heavenly food & long been strengthenedWith heavenly converse for such end vouchsafdHer human heart had faild, & she had diedBeneath the horrors of this aweful hour.But Heaven supplied a powerBeyond her earthly nature, to the measureOf need infusing strength,And Fate whose secret & unerring pleasureAppointed all, decreedAn ample meed & recompense at lengthHigh-fated Maid the righteous hour is nigh,The all-embracing eyeOf Retribution still beholdeth thee,Bear onward to the end O Maid courageously.

On rolls the Car, & lo! afarUpon its height the Towers of YamenpurRise on the astonishd sight.Behold the Infernal City, Yamens seatOf empire. In the midst of PadalonWhere the eight causeys meet,There on a rock of adamant it stoodResplendent far & wide,Itself of solid diamond edified,And all around it rolld the fiery flood.Eight bridges arched the stream; huge piles of brassMagnificent, such structures as beseemThe seat & capital of such great GodWorthy of Yamens own august abode.A brazen tower & gateway at each endOf each was raisd, where Giant Wardens stoodStationed in arms the passage to defend,That never foe might cross the fiery flood.

Oh what a gorgeous sight it was to seeThe Diamond City blazing on its heightWith more than mid-sun splendour, by the lightOf its own fiery river, –Its towers & domes & pinnacles & spires,Turrets & battlements, that flash & quiverThro the red, restless, atmosphere for ever.And hovering over headThe smoke & vapours of all Padalon,Fit firmament for such a world, were spread,With surge & swell & everlasting motion,Heaving & opening like tumultuous ocean.

Nor were there wanting thereSuch glories as beseemd such region well,For tho with our blue heaven & genial airThe firmament of Hell might not compare,As little could our earthly tempests vieWith the dread storms of that infernal sky,Whose clouds of all metallic elementsSublimd, were full. For when its thunders broke,Not all the united worlds artilleryIn one discharge could equal that loud stroke,And tho the Diamond towers & battlementsStood firm upon their adamantine rock,Yet while it vollied round the vault of Hell,Earths solid arch was shaken with the shock,And cities in one mighty ruin fell.Thro the red sky terrific meteors scour,Huge stones come hailing down, or sulphur shower,Floating amid the lurid air like snow,Kindles in its descentAnd with blue fire-drops rains on all belowAt times the whole, supernal elementIgniting, burst in one vast sheet of flame.And roard as with the soundOf rushing winds, above, below, around.Anon the flame was spent & overhead A heavy cloud of moving darkness spread.

Straight to the brazen bridge & gateThe self-moved chariot bears its mortal load.At sight of CarmalaOn either side the Great Guards divideAnd give the chariot wayUp yonder winding road it rolls alongSwift on its course & strongThat not with steeper nor with swifter flightRising on spiral wingThe bittern soareth to her heavenly height, –And lo the Palace of the Infernal King.

Two forms inseperable in unityHath Yamen; even as with hope or fearThe Soul regardeth him doth he appear,For Hope & FearHere from prophets conscience springAnd err not in their bodings. Therefore someThey who polluted with offences come,Behold him as the KingOf Terrors, black of aspect, red of eye,Reflecting back upon the sinful mind,Heightend with vengeance & the wrath divineIts own inborn deformity.But to the righteous Spirit how benignHis aweful countenance, where parental loveAnd heavenly goodness, tempering mercy shineYet is he stillHimself the same, one form, one face, one will.And these his two foldx aspects are but oneAnd change is noneIn him, for change in Yamen could not beThe immutable is he.

He sate upon a marble sepulchreMassive & huge, where at the monarchs feetThe righteous Bali had his judgement seat.A golden throne before them vacant stoodThree human forms sustaind its ponderous weightWith lifted hands outspread & shoulders bowdBending beneath their loadA fourth was wanting. They were of the hue Of coals of fire; yet were they flesh & blood,And living breath they drew,And their red eye balls rolld with ghastly stare,As thus for their misdeeds they stood tormented there.

Here issuing from the Car the GlendoveerDid homage to the God, – then raisd his head.Suppliants we come, he said,I need not tell thee by what wrongs opprest,For nought can pass on earth to thee unknown,Sufferers from tyranny we seek for restAnd Seeva bade us go to Yamens throneHere he hath said all wrongs shall be redrest.Yamen replied, Even now the hour draws nigh nearWhen Fate its hidden will ways will manifest.Not for light purpose would the Holiest sendHis suppliants here when we in doubt & fearThe aweful issue of the hour attend.Wait ye in patience & faith the end.

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24.

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So spake the Lord of Padalon when lo!The voice of lamentation ceasd in HellAnd sudden silence all around them fell,Silence more wild & terribleThan all the infernal dissonance before.Thro that portentous stillness far awayUnwonted sounds were heard, advancing onAnd deepening on their wayFor now the inexorable hourWas come, & in the fullness of his power,Now that his dreadful rites had all been done,Kehama from the Swerga hastened downTo seize upon the throne of Padalon.

He came in all his might & majestyWith all his terrors-clad, & all his pride.And by the attribute of DeityWhich he had won from Heaven, self multipliedThe dreadful One appeard at on every side.In the same indivisible point of timeAt the eight gates he stood at once, & beatThe Warden Gods of Hell beneath his feet,Then in his brazen car of triumph straightAt the same moment drove thro every gate.By Aullays hugest of created kindFiercest, & fleeter than the viewless windHis cars were drawn, ten yokes of ten abreast,What less sufficed for such almighty weight?Eight bridges from the fiery flood aroseGrowing before his way as on he goes,And drives the thundering chariot wheels along,At once oer all the roads of Padalon

Silent & motionless remainThe Asuras on their bed of painWaiting with breathless hope the great event.All Hell was hushd in dreadSuch was that omnipresent coming spread;Nor had its voice been heard, tho all its routInnumerable had lighted up one shout;Nor if the infernal firmamentHad in one unimaginable burstSpent its collected thunders, had the soundBeen audible, such louder terrors wentBefore his forms substantial. Round aboutThe presence scattered lightnings far & wideThat quenchd on every sideWith their intensest blaze the feebler fireOf Padalon, even as the stars go out,When with prodigious lightSome blazing meteor fills the astonishd night.

The Diamond City shakes,The Adamantine RockIs loosend with the shock;From its foundation movd it reels & quakes,The brazen portals crumbling fall to dust.Prone fall the Giant GuardsBeneath the Aullays crusht.On on thro Yamenpur their thundering feetSpeed from all points to Yamens judgement-seatAnd lo where multipliedBefore, behind him, & on every sideShaking all weapons in his countless handsAround the Lord of Hell Kehama standsHe too put forth his might,Thick darkness blacker than the blackest nightRose from their wrath & veildThe unutterable fight.The power of Fate & Sacrifice prevaildAnd soon the strife was done.Then did the Man-God reassumeHis unity, absorbing into oneThe consubstantiate shapes: & as the gloomOpened, fallen Yamen on the ground was seenHis neck beneath the conquering Rajahs feetWho on the marble tombHad his triumphal seat.

Silent the Man-Almighty sate, a smileGleamd on his dreadful lips, the whileDallying with power, he paused from following upHis conquest, as a man in social hourSips of the grateful cup,Again & yet again with curious tasteSearching its subtle flavour ere he drinkEven so Kehama now forbore his haste,Having within his reach whateer he soughtOn his own haughty power he seemd to musePampering his swelling heart with arrogant thoughtBefore him stood the Golden Throne in sightRight opposite; he could not chuse but seeNor seeing chuse but wonder. Who are yeWho bear the Golden Throne tormented thereHe cried, for whom doth Destiny prepareThe Imperial Seat, & why are ye but Three?

1st BearerI of the Children of mankind was firstMe miserable! who adding store to storeHeapt up superfluous wealth; & now accurstFor ever I the frantic crime deplore.2d BearerI oer my brethren of mankind the firstUsurping power, set up a throne sublime,A King & Conquerer; therefore thus accurstFor ever I in vain repent the crime.3d BearerI on the Children of mankind the firstIn Gods most holy name imposed a tale taleOf impious falshood; therefore thus accurstFor ever I in vain the sin <crime> bewail.

Even as thou here beholdest usHere we have stood tormented thus,Such countless ages that they seem to beLong as eternity,And still we are but Three.A fourth will come to shareOur pain, at yonder vacant corner bearHis portion of the burthen & complaintThe Imperial Throne for Yamens judgement-seat.Thus hath it been appointed: he must beEqual in guilt to us, the guilty Three, –Kehama come! too long we wait for thee!

Thereat with one accordThe Three took up the word like choral song,Come Rajah! Man-God! Earths Almighty Lord!Kehama come! we wait for thee too long.

A short & sudden laugh of wondering prideBurst from him in his triumph: to replyScornful he deignd not; but with altered eyeWherein some doubtful meaning seemed to lie,He turnd to Kalyal. Maiden, thus he cried,I need not bid thee seeHow vain it is to strive with Fates decree,When hither thou hast fled to fly from me,And lo even here thou findst me at thy side.Mine thou must be, being doomd with me to share The Aureate cup of immortality,Yea by myself I swearIt hath been thus appointed. JoyfullyJoin then thy hand & heart & will with mine,Nor at such glorious destiny repine,Nor in thy folly more provoke my wrath divine.

She answered I have said. It must not be.Almighty as thou art,Thou hast put all things underneath thy feet,But still the resolute heartAnd virtuous will are free.Never, oh, never – never – can there beCommunion Rajah, between thee & me.

Once more, quoth he, I urge, & once aloneThou seest yon Golden ThroneWhere I anon shall set thee by my side.Take thou thereon thy seatKehamas willing bride,And I will place the Kingdoms of the EarthBeneath thy Fathers feet,Appointing him the King of mortal Men.Else underneath that throneThe fourth supporter he shall stand & groan,Prayers will be vain to move my mercy then

Again the Virgin answerd I have said,Ladurlad caught her in his proud embrace,While on his neck she hidIn agony her face
Bring forth the Amreeta cup, Kehama cried,To Yamen, rising sternly in his pride.It is within the marble sepulchre,The vanquishd Lord of Padalon replied.Bid that be opened. Give thy treasure up!Exclaimd the Man Almighty to the Tomb.And at his voice & lookThe massy fabric shook, & opend wide.A huge Anatomy was seen reclind Within its marble womb. Give me the CupAgain Kehama cried, nor other charmWas needed than that voice of stern command.From his repose the ghastly form arose,Put forth his long & gigantic arm,And gave the Amreeta to the Rajahs hand.Take! Drink! With accents dread the Spectre saidFor thee & Kalyal hath it been assignd,Ye only of the Children of Mankind.

Then was the Man Almightys heart elate,This is the consummation he exclaimd,Thus have I triumphd over Death & Fate.Now Seeva look to thine abode!Henceforth on equal footing we engage,Alike immortal now, & we shall wageOur warfare, God to God.Joy filld his impious soulAnd to his lips he raisd the fatal bowl.With that the fiery ThreeAgain in one accord renewd their strain,Kehama come, too long we wait for thee.

O fool of drunken hope & frantic vice!Madman to seek for power beyond thy scopeOf knowledge & to deemLess than omniscience could sufficeTo wield omnipotence! O fool to dreamThat immortality could beThe meed of evil! yea thou hast it now,Victim of thine own wicked hearts device,Thou has thine object now, & thou must pay the price

He did not know the aweful mysteryOf that divinest cup, that as the lipsWhich touch it, even such its qualityGood or malignant: Madman & he thinksThe blessed prize is wonAnd joyfully he drinks.

Then Seeva opened on the Accursed OneHis Eye of Anger; upon him aloneThe wrath-beam fell. He shudders but too lateThe deed is done.The dreadful liquor works the will of Fate.Immortal he would beImmortal he remains, but thro his veins,Torture at once & immortality,A stream of poison doth the Amreeta run,Infinite everlasting agony.And while within the burning anguish flowsH           His outward body glows.Like molten ore beneath the Avenging Eye,So doomd to live & burn eternally.The fiery ThreeBeholding him set up a fiendish cryA song of jubilee,Come Brother come! too longHave we expected theeHenceforth we bear no moreThe unequal weight, come Brother! we are Four.

Vain his Almightiness, for mightier painSubdued all power, pain reignd supreme alone.And yielding to the bony handThe unemptied cup he movd toward the throne,There the Fourth Bearer took his fated standBehold the Golden Throne at length compleat,And Yamen silently ascends the Judgement seat.

For two alone of all mankind to meThe Amreeta cup was given.Exclaimd the AnatomyThe Man hath drank, the Womans turn is next.Come Kalyal come receive thy doomAnd do the will of Heaven.Wonder & doubt & Awe at once perplextThe mortal Maidens heart, but over allHope rose triumphant. With a trembling handObedient to his call,She took the fated cup, & raising upHere eyes where xxx holy tears began to swell,Is it not your commandYe heavenly Powers? as on her knees she fellThe Virgin cried. Ye know my innocent willMy heart sincere,Ye govern all things still,And wherefore should I fear?

She said & drank. The Eye of Mercy beamdUpon the Maid: a cloud of odour steamdLike incense smoke, as all her mortal former part frameDissolvd beneath the potent agencyOf that mysterious draught, such qualityFrom her pure hand the fated Cup partook.Like one entranced she knelt,Feeling her body melt,Till all but what was heavenly passed away.Yet still she feltHer spirit strong within her, the same heartWith the same loves, & all her heavenly partUnchanged, & ripend to such perfect stateIn the miraculous birth as here on earthDimly our holiest hopes anticipate.

Mine – mine – with rapturous joy Ereenia criedImmortal now, & yet not more divineMy heavenly Bride, mine – mine – for ever mineThe immortal Maid repliedFor ever ever thine.

Thus hath the will of Destiny been done,Then said the Lord of PadalonThus are the secret ways of Heaven <Fate> made knownAnd justified. Ye heirs of Heavenly blissGo to the Swerga BowersAnd there recall the hoursOf endless happiness.For thee Ladurlad there is yet in storeOne glorious task. Return to Earth, restoreJustice & Peace by tyranny put down,Then shalt thou have thine everlasting CrownAnd join thy best-belovd for ever more.¹

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