Part 11 (1/2)
(ll. 435-440) And she lifted up her hands unto the King of heaven, beseeching mercy of the Lord for Mary's sake: ”Lo! Of my daughter wast Thou born, O Lord, to help mankind on earth. Now is it seen that Thou art G.o.d indeed, the Everlasting Source of all creation.”
IX
(ll. 441-454) Then the Eternal Lord let all that host mount upward unto glory. But on the fiends He fastened bonds of torment, and thrust them down into the depths of darkness, bitterly abashed, where darkly Satan rules, a woeful wretch, and with him the foul fiends, forspent with pain. Never may they see the light of glory, but only bell's abyss, nor ever hope for their return, because the Lord G.o.d was incensed against them, and gave them bonds of torment for their portion, and gruesome horror, death-shadows dark and dim, the burning pit of h.e.l.l, and fear of death.
(ll. 455-467) Then was there gladness when the host returned unto their native home, and with them the Eternal Lord of men, unto His glorious city. With their hands the race of Abraham, the holy prophets, bore Him up unto His home. Even as the prophets had foretold in days of old, the Lord had conquered death, and overcome the Fiend. All this befell at dawn before the blush of day, when thunder came, loud cras.h.i.+ng from the heavens, and G.o.d bowed down and brake the doors of h.e.l.l. The fiends' strength lessened when they saw the radiant light.
(ll. 468-478) And the Son of G.o.d was sitting with His host, and spake with words of truth: ”Wise spirits! By My might I wrought you--first Adam and this n.o.ble woman. And they begat, by G.o.d's will, forty children, so that a mult.i.tude were born thereafter on the earth, and many a winter men dwelt in their home, until it came to pa.s.s the fiend by deeds of evil brought G.o.d's mercy to an end. Now sin has spread through all the world!
(ll. 479-486) ”For in the new Paradise I placed a tree with spreading branches, whose boughs bore apples, and ye two ate the gleaming fruit according as the fiend, the thane of h.e.l.l, gave bidding. Wherefore ye journeyed to the burning depths of h.e.l.l, because ye disobeyed the word of G.o.d, and tasted of this horror.
The foul fiend stood beside you, and gave you evil thoughts.
(ll. 487-498) ”But My heart repented that My handiwork should suffer prison-bondage! There was no power of men, nor might of angels, no work of the prophets, nor wisdom of mortal men, that could bring you help, but only G.o.d, the Saviour, who had ordained that punishment in vengeance. And from His home on high He came to earth, being born of a virgin, and suffered many tortures in the world, and much affliction. And many men, the rulers of the state, conspired against Me night and day, how they might slay Me.
(ll. 499-511) ”Then was the time fulfilled, and I had lived for three-and-thirty winters in the world before My pa.s.sion. Long was I mindful of this mult.i.tude and of My home, that I might lead them up from bondage to their native land, where they may have G.o.d's judgments, and the glory of the heavenly hosts, dwelling in joy and knowing bliss of heaven, a thousand fold. Upon the cross, when sharp spears pierced Me, and the young man smote Me, hanging on the tree, yea! even then I interceded for you; and I came again unto eternal joys, and to the presence of the Holy Lord.”
X
(ll. 512-523) Thus spake the Lord of glory, Maker of mankind, early in the morning when the Lord G.o.d rose from death. There was no stone so firmly fastened, though it were bound about with iron, that might withstand His wondrous might; but the Lord of angels went forth from His prison, and bade bright angels tell His eleven disciples, and say especially to Simon Peter that he might see G.o.d, Steadfast and Eternal, in Galilee, as he had done aforetime.
(ll. 524-534) Then the disciples, as I have heard, were filled with the Spirit, and went together into Galilee unto the Holy Son of G.o.d, beholding where the Son of the Creator, the Eternal Lord, was risen. And the disciples ran and came where the Eternal Lord was standing, and fell upon the ground, and knelt before His feet, giving thanks to G.o.d because once more, as it was come to pa.s.s, they might behold the Prince of angels. And straightway Simon Peter spake:
(ll. 535-539) ”Is it Thou, O Lord G.o.d, crowned with glory? A little while ago we saw how heathen men laid grievous bonds upon Thee! And bitterly shall they repent, when they behold their end.”
(ll. 540-556) But some could not believe it in their hearts. And one, called Didymus, was dear before he laid his hand upon his Saviour's side wherefrom His blood had fallen to the ground, a bath of baptism. That was a glorious deed, the pa.s.sion of the Lord our G.o.d. He mounted up upon the tree, and with His great heart shed His blood upon the cross. Wherefore at all times men should thank their Lord by words and works, because He led us out of bondage to our home and native land, where we may have G.o.d's judgments and the glory of the heavenly host, and dwell in joy.
To us the radiant light of glory is revealed, to such as have good thoughts.
XI
(ll. 557-567) Then was the Lord Eternal forty days on earth, followed of the people and revealed to men, before the Prince of city-dwellers brought the Holy Spirit to the great creation, the heavenly kingdom. The King of angels and the Lord of hosts ascended up on high. Then came celestial melodies in holiness from heaven. The hand of G.o.d appeared and He received the Prince; the Lord of heaven led Him to His holy home. And round about Him throngs of angels flew in thousands.
(ll. 568-578) And it befell, while yet the Saviour Christ abode with men, that on the night before the last He strengthened with His spirit His disciples, the twelve apostles. The Living G.o.d ordained unnumbered souls. Of these was Judas, who betrayed the Glorious Lord, our Saviour, to be a sacrifice. Little did that undertaking prosper when he sold the Son of G.o.d for silver treasure. The foul fiend gave him grim requital, deep in h.e.l.l.
(ll. 579-596) The Son now sitteth on the right hand of the Father; each day the Lord of hosts giveth help and healing to the sons of men throughout the earth. Full widely is it known to many men that He alone, by power of His glory, is Maker and Ruler of all created things. The Holy Lord of angels sitteth with the prophets in heaven above; the Son of glory hath His throne amid the heavens, and by His healing leadeth us up thither to the light, where we may sit with G.o.d on high among the angels, and have that radiance where His holy host now dwelleth, and live in joy. There is the blessedness of glory radiantly revealed! Let us take thought to serve the Saviour gladly and be pleasing unto Christ! There is more glorious life than we may ever gain on earth.
XII
(ll. 597-607) Now hath the Great Prince, the Almighty Lord, made intercession for us. On the day of doom G.o.d biddeth the archangels, with a mighty blast, to sound the trumpet over the city-dwellings, through all the borders of the world. Then shall men wake from the earth; the dead shall arise from the dust, through the might of G.o.d. Longest of days shall that be, greatest of tumults, heard afar, when the Saviour cometh, the Lord, with clouds surrounded, descending upon earth.
(ll. 608-615) Then will He separate the fair and foul, the good and evil, into two companies. And the righteous shall mount to their rest at the right hand of G.o.d, they shall be blithe as they enter the city, the kingdom of G.o.d. With His right hand the Lord of creation shall bless them, and say before all:
(ll. 615-618) ”Ye are welcome! Enter now the heavenly kingdom, into the light of glory. There shall ye rest for ever without end.”
(ll. 619-625) But the guilty souls that have sinned shall stand and tremble when the Son of G.o.d shall judge them by His wondrous might; they shall hope they may ascend to that fair city with the angels, as the others did. But the Eternal Lord shall speak to them, and say before them all: