5ft nENRY KIRKE WHITE S POEMS. 



The powers of dariness from the dread decree 

 Of bondage, brought by him, and circumvent 



The unerring ways of Him whose eye can sea 

 The tomb of Time, and, in its embryo pent, 

 Discern the colours clear of every dark event. 



Here the stern monarch stayed his rapid flight, 



And his thick hosts, as with a jetty pall. 

 Hovering obscured the north star's peaceful light, 



Waiting on wing their haughty chieftain's call. 



He, meanwhile, downward, with a sullen fall, 

 Dropt on the echoing ice. Instant the sound 



Of their broad vans was hush'd, and o'er the hall, 

 Vast and obscure, the gloomy cohorts boimd, 

 Till, wedged in ranks, the seat of Satan they surround. 



XII. 



High on a solium of the solid wave, 



Prankt with rude shapes by the fantastic frost, 



He stood in silence ; — now keen thoughts engrave 

 Dark figures on his front ; and, tempest tost, 

 He fears to say that every hope is lost. 



Meanwhile the multitude as death are mute : 

 So ere the tempest on ^Malacca's coast, 



Sweet Quiet, gently touching her soft lute. 

 Sings to the whispering waves the prelude to dispute. 



XIII. 



At length collected, o'er the dark Divan 



The arch fiend glanced, as by the Boreal blaze 



Their downcast brows were seen, — and thus began 

 His fierce harangue : — " Spirits ! our better days 

 Are now elasped ; Moloch and Belial's praise 



Shall sound no more in groves by myriads trod. 



Lo ! the light breaks ! — The astonished nations gaze! 



For us is lifted high the avenging rod ! 

 For, spirits, this is He — this is the Son of God ! 



