Wake! wake! ye slumbering muses, -old. Who sang of warriors brave and bold; And tell this tale, -'till now untold, Its truth unto the moss unfold. You sang erewhile of iron will. Of lofty halls upon the hill Where Coldness, Fames' fair son did kill. And lay his frame out, warmthless,-still. The song you are now called to sing. Bespeaks no fame of mighty king. Who spread his hands, like eagles' wings. And fear, o'er tangent nations fling. You wake your harps not for a song, To some fair maiden, who has long Forgot of tender passions strong. Whose pleasing echoes ceased for long. But to a slower, solemn tread, You tuned your lyres as we read. How noble soldiers once .-'tis said, Disturbed the slumbers of the dead.

0004

And now ye must old, yet, young; who never leave one song unsung; The never high your harps have hung; Come! sing this song.—'till now.- unsung. Four forth in sweet, angelic strains. Your sweetest song, and cost no chains. Around the minds those hallowed brains, Present no foe to Music's claims

PART FIRST.

Deep in the heart's unfathom'd caves. Where tumults ocean ceaseless roars, Where pleasure oft high revell holds. Whence hearts most weak, are thence made bold, Besides a sympathetic thought. For those who have their finis found, And they are sacred, hallowed thoughts. Which come of life's enchanted march; Bespoiling[?] naught, by naught bespoiled, Cleansing the mind and giving joy. To those whom Fortune favors well.

0005

And when toward the close of life. With slacken'd footsteps on we tread, Toward the region of the dead. Should we not sacred hold those thoughts. Which from our past experience rise? And granting this, should we not have In early life, some sympathy For those who near their goal have gone? Yet, can there be an end for those. Whom Heaven's mighty king did frame? An end! can there exist an end to pre-decreed eternity? Most surely not, for as we gaze Far into space, we can descern No risen no end of the unknown. -One which to grasp, and then proclaim In loud stentorian voice and clear:- “O hear ye men! your God is found. Behold him! the Unknown, Unseen. Unserved, Unworshiped, and Unpraised!

0006

Behold Him! Come and fallye down, Before His throne and give Him praise!” Nor can we with our mortal eyes. Behold Him in some far-off land, Where seeing Him we strive to rush, And reach the shining silv'ry shore, Thro' whose most verdant fields do flow, Rivers of brilliant precious ore. Nay! we must cease to breathe this foul, -This murdering mortal air, and seek Us for the end for which we must. This life forego. Yet is there such An end more wanted than this life? Perchance there be no end in death; What land is seen when Death his blade Both sheath? I hear of heaven's land Whose streets of glittering gold are made, Whose agate places receive The passing rays of brilliant light, From vast Celestia's countless suns.

0007

But can there any such exist,- A land material, and blest With endless day, and is not hot From having ceaseless luminance? Whose inmates naught but love enhance, And where they feed on honeyed milk; Where all is pleasure and content; Where night is alien, and light Unfolds his brilliant rays, and reigns Eternal Monarch of the days! And if there doth exist this land. Who guides us by the hand, and heads Us to its shores of indolence? And where doth band the troops he leads Into this place? But cease thee Muse! Where soarest thou?. Unto what plains Have you now flown? Dost thou not know If thou ascendest into tho vast Etherial heights, into this earth

Thou will return in fury at

0008

Your fruitless search, for some unknown, -Some unexisting land;-a land Which is a recompense to those, Whose mortal life has virtuous been Nay! nay! thou canst not find this shore, Whose joys, the fevered brains of some. Present to man. These pleasant blinds And fancies are but symbols of The non-existing heavenly life. Which man suppose truely is. And as they argue warmly, this Most pleasing fancy, which some wild, Enthusiastic, misled child Of darkness teaches them: Thou must Return and by your failure show To them, what vast and grave mistakes They oftimes make do not misjudge O men! these pleasing visions which Have been designed, but to compell Obedience to that natural force

0009

Which caused our complex being, to be. But rather ye should strive to live, A life of virture and of love. Regardless of what good ye do, Yet, mindful of your evil acts; For both are counted in the day, Wherein we crave that pleasant sleep. -That endless slumber of the dead. And when on earth ye daily wend Your footsteps with Time's fleeting wings This, ever hold within your minds:- That conscience does not die, but lives Eternally; yea, while this frame, Has wasted [all its?] mortal force, And lay out in the burying ground, A bleached and useless [mond?] of clay.

PART SECOND.

I strive to hear Hell's crackling fires, Mingled with agonizing cries,

0010

And seek to catch some sulphric fumes, Ascending from the Tempter's cave. I fail; but still I hear a sound, As of some great, gigantic being. Proclaiming thro' this rymthic ball, Its threats of everlasting death. But can there e'er be such a thing. To man the image of his God? And would not God be most unjust To punish everlastingly One sin committid by the being He did create with His own hand, To worship Him and to adore Eternally His holy name? But nay, the priests would have you think, That the divine Creator has Established 'neath Celestia's bounds. [Composed of fire and brimstone Whence sulphric fumes ascend and spread, There most extensile fumes over

0011

The whole vast universed a cave Where Lucifer was bound, with all The demons who rebelled against The mighty power of Heaven's King: And where those sinful souls descend. Who in their mortal life refused. The teachings of their learned sires. But where can I this peaceless cave Descern? I look into that vault. Of azure hue, which crowns the frame Of Nature's matchless dwelling place; Where multitudes of bodies move. Each in its own prescrib-ed sphere. Disturbing none, by none disturbed; Fulfilling each its own commands. Nor meddling with another's cause. I look; but what do I perceive? A burning cave whose inmates howl With undescrib-ed pain and woe? While fires arise. anon. and burn

0012

With fierceness 'round the naked loins Of those unhappy victim, whose Most slow consuming flesh returns. As with the speed of Heaven's light: [Some rays of which descend to earth. Accompanied by loudest noise. Which shakes the universal frame.] And burn forever; ceaselessly? Or do I hear 'neath earth's fixed base Those hideous cries ascend on high. Unto the realms of heavenly bliss. From dark Totarus' depthless cave? I do not hear; nor do I see These wonderful phenomena. Nor will my mind permit beleif In these most wild, fantastic dreams, Whose Ghostly forms present themselves. While soundly on our couch we sleep. Nay! Nature is not so unkind. Unjust, unfeeling nor unlearned;

0013

The deep recesses of our minds. To her are as an open book: She reads, -and quickly too - the [thoughts?] Therein, before one faint idea. Is in our feeble minds conceived. From her we cannot hide for this Most noble. -this most complex frame. Is her own handiwork. Yet. Not vainly do they often try. These leaders of the uninformed. Who teach but falsehood to the mass That follows like unthinking beasts, Accepting as a germ of Truth. Their false unfounded theories.- To lead the nobler mind away. And he who once rejoiced in A mind unfettered by the bonds The feebler minds encircle those Who to their ravening words do list; Doth bind himself eternally.

0014

Held closely by those narrow views Which show us Nature as a [guard?] -A warder of some dungeon dark. More cheerless than grim Singbi's cave* Whose darkness is of such a kind. As leaves its impress on the frame. Of those who have th' unpleasant chance To be one minute in its gloom:- Eternally. Ah man. awake! And from your most inactive mind. Throw off fore'er there slaving bonds. Which blind you to Great Nature's good; Nor serve your God because you fear Th' eternal sting of Hell's hot fires; Nor quench of thirst. With liquid lead. Nor Lucifer's tri-dental fork. [Which weapon from Celestia's heights Was thrown. When o'er the battlements Of Heaven. Michael did plunge. Defeated Sheitan and his host.

0015

Headlong into that darksome cave. Nay! nor because you fear to win. That peaceless slumber of the dead. Unquiet as the boist'rous waves. Which is the portion of the souls Who in their pre-existance scoffed At all idea of that great force. Which caused their mocking frames to be. But in consideration of The blessings which you have received. From great Allahu's bonteous hand.

PART THIRD

Now list ye to the poet's theme. Which came to him as on his couch. He lay, revolving in his mind. Some new unknown presentiment. Descended from the Gods. He lay. And in a twinkling slept; and lo! Some 'habitant of boundless realms

0016

Of Nature, guided him away From these materialistic scenes. Up thro' [ethernal?] regions where Do dwell those undescribable. -Those never 'fore discovered, fields. Which Nature planted in the age. Of Paradise's infancy; Led by his guides inspiring hands. Thro' countless halls and corridors. Where dazzling weapons, bright as gold. Suspended high, from those stout walls. Built by the powerful jovian hand. In ages when dark Chaos ruled Over the boundless realms of space. And Sol's now brilliant, piercing rays. Were like a far-off-candle's light. Remind him of the heavenly war, When Michael leading forth his leagues 'Gainst Satan's discontented friends. Entrapt, and bound in firety chains.

0017

The leader of the great revolt. [O terrible the warlike scenes! When immortals against their kind. In thunderous fury dashed, and fell, One from the other,-stunned, yet to The conflict still convening, when Into the depthless pit, the whole Of Lucifer's demons were plunged. Upon their burning couches: bound, Never to see the luminance Of the bright home they aid forego.] He past from hall to hall; when lo! A court of splendrous show appeared. Surpassing all the golden wealth. Which lies, deep buried in the earth: Where Nature, [seated on a throne, Raised on a diaz of jasper, Sculptured from one huge diamond, Whose loustrousness but outshone the sun: Around which, ever and anon

0018

Her attachee their homage pay;] Doth guide and rule the universe, With an allpowerful, tireless hand. “And what of man, the fallen type. Of your own bright, etherial light?” Then like the twittering of the bird; The rush and gush of mountain stream: The roar of thunder, and of sea; And all of Nature's sounds combined. Vibrates, the answer, loud, now soft, Now smooth, now rough, upon the air:- “When I. Confusion sent to reign, Over the plains which I did make, Directing him to trouble them, Untill the whole igniting mass. [Which was then liquid, and did run, From pole to pole without regard To place or time, alike a ship. Adrift upon the boundless sea,] Had cool-ed down; in which process.

0019

The various clans of trees and beast, Assumed those forms which they would, bear, Forever after in that world, Whither I caused their forms to be] Frail man, the last but highest being. I did ordain from Chaos grim. To reign and rule and to posess. Supernal rights o'er all things else. Ne'er have I promised him to live. Within these vast etherial realms; Nor e'er gave I him cause to hope. That here with me and equal reign. o'er Heaven's host, which from the rise Of endless Time has with me dwelt.” Nay! Nay! ambitious man!, not here Canst thou reside: after the end, Of mortal life, thou must accept The only compensation which. On the true merits of thy life, In equity in truth, and love, [Becomes?] to thee by Heaven's grace.” The bard amazed at what he heard, Inquired of the pleasant guide:- “What meaneth this most unjust oath, The mistress of high Heaven decrees Why have the priests and prophets whom. In early ages she did cause, To teach her creatures of the pow'r. Which did create their noble being; Caused man to hope, eternal life. As recompense for service true, If she intended not to give, Unto the race what she decreed, In ages when high Heaven was not? Ah, are whose celestial beings, So blind to all that is most just, That endless life from mortal man, Is snatched; while age by age the cry Of holy prophets raise the souls, Which were extinct, to fight for truth

0020

And holiness?” Be not deceived" The guide replied, “for ne'er have you Been shown the scenes, where those do dwell Who from their labours on that earth. Whence you avene, received that sleep, -that peaceful sleep that comes to those, Who in their pre-existance lived. Honest and upright, day by day. Ah, man! too quickly dost thou judge. These acts, of Providence most wise. If you comply, unto these realms, Where rest those peaceful sleepers, who, Have now received their just deserts; And where those who in torment lie; I'll thee thither, right away.

PART FOUR.

Then unto some realms on-high, Crown'd by the purple-tinted shroud, Of sunset's flaming, golden cloud, The two were wafted, with the speed

0021

Of Hermes, Heaven's messenger There in that western clime of Heav'n. Where ever waft those zephyrs sweet, That cool the regions of the dead, Spreading their fragnance, far and near; Refreshing e'er the peaceful sleep. The endless slumber of the dead, Who for their virtuous life below, Received from Nature their deserts Consisting of a peaceful sleep, Unbroken by Stern Conscience's qualms; The peaceful slumberers they viewed Inhaling in their quiet sleep, The air of immortality. “Is this, my friend, the recompense. Which man receives from Heaven's hand, After the trials of his life, He overcomes, and wings his flight, Thro' fumes of nectar, to the throne, Of that [etherial?] monarch's home?

0022

Are these the golden til-ed streets. Flowing with milk and honey sweet, Where happy spirits ever sing, Unto Sublimity's great king Their pealing notes of prayer and praise O thou effulgent being, speak! Inform if Great Emensity's Most wide decrees are thus fulfilled.” Thus spoke the Poet to his guide, Who smiling, answered in this wise:- “Not unto mortal man was given. The power these higher things to know. Upon the earth content must be, Those who reside upon that sod, To know, that there doth still remain, Unending rest from all their woes. The meaning of symbolic speach, That is, its force and purport true, And mysteries, of eternal life. Which he did miss, never know,;

0023

When thro, his helpmeet's tender hands. The fruit of good and evil tree. Gaining the bad, -the good. Forever lost to him, he not Perceives; nor e'er will know, untill, Before God's throne when life is o'er. He bows th' adoring head. Thou knowst There are no swarms of honey gluttons. In these realms who do infest Each tiny flow'r and rose-buds sprout; Not cattle, nor bright tiles of gold, Which mortal man expects to view. When he adjoins to Heaven's land: Giving to them their products, which, Which on earth ye crave with mortal tastes. Nay! those pictures are but symbols Of the pleasantness which, reigns. Over these blessed celestial climes. Ye undying slumberers who In deep and sweet repose now lie!

0024

The light desolves far off in space, And casts a wretchedness o'er hell, Spreading dismay throughout the land, And setting Conscience's lash in act: From whose harsh sting red gore doth flow. Filling that all-surrounding stream, With one volume of ruddy glow, Which flowed thro' ages far remote, When Heaven, there did bind the fiends, Who 'gainst great God's high power rebelled. The habitant of higher climes. These vast, symbolic scenes explained; The Bard beleived, and praised his God. Awoke and found that he had dreamed!

Thus we perceive that Heav'n is not Composed of golden tiled streets. Where busy throngs fore'er do cry. Holy! Holy! Holy! to God. Nor is low Hell composed of fire.

0025 25

High Heaven is the sign of good; Hell is the figurative bad. Heaven is the abode of peace; Hell, that undying, great torment. And Then, and Thy. and there. these thoughts. Unto my sleeping view was given; Ask ye not me. but go. consult. The mighty powers of Nature's good! Finis.

0026

Rest.—peaceful rest, your only due. When after turmoils of that life. And faithful serving,-tho' unknown. The boundless greatness of NATURE. Is now your sole companion here!

PART FITH.

The vision changes, and the scene. Shifts from the region of the dead Where peace and quietude to reign. And shows unto astonished gaze. The region of unpeacefulness. There, where peace nor quietude do reign. Nor daylight e'er dispells the light; Nor fragrant breezes e'er refresh; Nor Conscience's lash is e'er remote; Where sultry air, free breath refuse; And souls in tor ment ever lie; Who on this earth no God did serve: The poet and his heavenly guide. Did view this all amazing sight.

0027

Around this place. nine times did run. A river, serpentine, and wide; o'er those high banks, fore'er did hang. A gloom so thickas could be felt. Atween the round the river made. Vast banks arose: a thousand leagues Their breath, their length, ten thousand times Ten thousand leagues: and on these shores. From pole to pole Blind Conscience's -lash. And sword in hand, whip, slay and gash. Unceasingly, those unrepenting souls. Who e'er do rise as soon as slain. Here are the wailings, -here the prayers. Of these sad victims of the lash: They pray to Heaven and the lights Of that far fairer clime approach; And as with gratitude they hail, Great Brilliancy's speedy approach. A sudden darkness fain doth fall. o'er this infernal regin of woe;