Hew Morrison Collection > Spiritual vision

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Of evil thought and evil deed,
In one eternal circle void of light,
And in which envy, scorn, like scorpion whips
Lash thee ! — unto thyself a slave !
Satan.
'Tis misery, not happiness, that speaketh thus !
Make then thy choice — ot David's royal crown,
Or of the crown of thorns thou wearest now !
Behold this chalice ! — brimming nectar wine,
Drawn from the fount essential, pure and bright ! —
Mark how it flashes ruby in the cup,
Instinct with life, and cool as frosty Ararat ;
This drink, since Cherith fails to slake thy thirst.
And in the visitation of its power
Thou art become a King of Israel !
Elijah
(Takes the cup and dashes it to the ground, whence the
liquid starts into a lurid flame in which the temjjter
vanishes.)
Thy mercies, like thyself, have mortal ends —
The earth itself rejects the chaliced bane !
[Spirits are heard in the flame.
1st Spirit.
Prince of the World, all hail ! —
Let not the Light prevail.
But with thy shadow cover up the day !
2nd Spirit.
Outstretch thy raven wing,
And blast each living thing,
That grass may cease to grow and rills to play.