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XXXI-XL
XXXI
The cherubs and the saints bow`d down before
That arch-angelic Hierarch, the first
Of essences angelical, who wore
The aspect of a god; but this ne`er nursed
Pride in his heavenly bosom, in whose core
No thought, save for his Master`s service, durst
Intrude, however glorified and high;
He knew him but the viceroy of the sky.
XXXII
He and the sombre, silent Spirit met —
They knew each other both for good and ill;
Such was their power, that neither could forget
His former friend and future foe; but still
There was a high, immortal, proud regret
In either`s eye, as if `twere less their will
Than destiny to make the eternal years
Their date of war, and their `champ clos` the spheres.
XXXIII
But here they were in neutral space: we know
From Job, that Satan hath the power to pay
A heavenly visit thrice a year or so;
And that the `sons of God`, like those of clay,
Must keep him company; and we might show
From the same book, in how polite a way
The dialogue is held between the Powers
Of Good and Evil — but `twould take up hours.
XXXIV
And this is not a theologic tract,
To prove with Hebrew and with Arabic,
If Job be allegory or a fact,
But a true narrative; and thus I pick
From out the whole but such and such an act
As sets aside the slightest thought of trick.
`Tis every tittle true, beyond suspicion,
And accurate as any other vision.
XXXV
The spirits were in neutral space, before
The gates of heaven; like eastern thresholds is
The place where Death`s grand cause is argued o`er,
And souls despatch`d to that world or to this;
And therefore Michael and the other wore
A civil aspect: though they did not kiss,
Yet still between his Darkness and his Brightness
There pass`d a mutual glance of great politeness.
XXXVI
The Archangel bow`d, not like a modern beau,
But with a graceful Oriental bend,
Pressing one radiant arm just where below
The heart in good men is supposed to tend;
He turn`d as to an equal, not too low,
But kindly; Satan met his ancient friend
With more hauteur, as might an old Castilian
Poor noble meet a mushroom rich civilian.
XXXVII
He merely bent his diabolic brow
An instant; and then raising it, he stood
In act to assert his right or wrong, and show
Cause why King George by no means could or should
Make out a case to be exempt from woe
Eternal, more than other kings, endued
With better sense and hearts, whom history mentions,
Who long have `paved hell with their good intentions.`
XXXVIII
Michael began: `What wouldst thou with this man,
Now dead, and brought before the Lord? What ill
Hath he wrought since his mortal race began,
That thou cans`t claim him? Speak! and do thy will,
If it be just: if in this earthly span
He hath been greatly failing to fulfil
His duties as a king and mortal, say,
And he is thine; if not, let him have way.`
XXXIX
`Michael!` replied the Prince of Air, `even here,
Before the Gate of him thou servest, must
I claim my subject: and will make appear
That as he was my worshipper in dust,
So shall he be in spirit, although dear
To thee and thine, because nor wine nor lust
Were of his weaknesses; yet on the throne
He reign`d o`er millions to serve me alone.
XL
`Look to our earth, or rather mine; it was,
Once, more thy master`s: but I triumph not
In this poor planet`s conquest; nor, alas!
Need he thou servest envy me my lot:
With all the myriads of bright worlds which pass
In worship round him, he may have forgot
Yon weak creation of such paltry things;
I think few worth damnation save their kings, —
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