“For many an age*, in every chance and change "Of that existence, through whose varied range, "As through a torch-race, where, from hand to hand

"The flying youths transmit their shining brand, "From frame to frame the unextinguish'd soul

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Rapidly passes, till it reach the goal!

"Nor think 'tis only the gross Spirits, warm'd

“With duskier fire and for earth's medium form'd, "That run this course; - Beings, the most divine,

"Thus deign through dark mortality to shine.

"Such was the Essence that in ADAM dwelt,

"To which all Heav'n, except the Proud One,

knelt:+

"Such the refin'd Intelligence that glow'd

"In MOUSSA's frame, and, thence descending, flow'd

*The transmigration of souls was one of his doctrines. Vide D'Herbelot.

"And when we said unto the angels, Worship Adam, they all worshipped him except Eblis (Lucifer), who refused."

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Through many a Prophet's breast; in ISSA+

shone,

-

"And in MOHAMMED burn'd; till, hastening on,

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(As a bright river that, from fall to fall

“In many a maze descending, bright through all, "Finds some fair region where, each labyrinth past, "In one full lake of light it rests at last) "That Holy Spirit, settling calm and free "From lapse or shadow, centers all in me!"

Again, throughout the' assembly at these words, Thousands of voices rung: the warriors' swords Were pointed up to heaven; a sudden wind In the' open banners play'd, and from behind Those Persian hangings, that but ill could screen The Haram's loveliness, white hands were seen

* This is according to D'Herbelot's account of the doctrines of Mokanna : --"Sa doctrine étoit, que Dieu avoit pris une forme et figure humaine, depuis qu'il eut commandé aux Anges d'adorer Adam, le premier des hommes. Qu'après la mort d'Adam, Dieu étoit apparu sous la figure de plusieurs Prophètes, et autres grands hommes qu'il avoit choisis, jusqu'à ce qu'il prit celle d'Abu Moslem, Prince de Khorassan, lequel professoit l'erreur de la Tenassukhiah ou Metempschychose; et qu'aprés la mort de ce Prince, la Divinité étoit passée, et descendue en sa personne."

† Jesus.

Waving embroider'd scarves, whose motion gave
A perfume forth like those the Houris wave
When beck'ning to their bowers the' immortal Brave.

"But these," pursued the Chief, " are truths sublime,

"That claim a holier mood and calmer time "Than earth allows us now; -this sword must first "The darkling prison-house of Mankind burst, "Ere Peace can visit them, or Truth let in "Her wakening daylight on a world of sin. "But then,- celestial warriors, then, when all "Earth's shrines and thrones before our banner fall; “When the glad Slave shall at these feet lay down "His broken chain, the tyrant Lord his crown, "The Priest his book, the Conqueror his wreath, "And from the lips of Truth one mighty breath "Shall, like a whirlwind, scatter in its breeze "That whole dark pile of human mockeries; "Then shall the reign of mind commence on earth, "And starting fresh as from a second birth, “Man, in the sunshine of the world's new spring,

"Shall walk transparent, like some holy thing!

"Then, too, your Prophet from his angel brow "Shall cast the Veil that hides its splendours now, "And gladden'd Earth shall, through her wide expanse,

"Bask in the glories of this countenance !

"For thee, young warrior, welcome!—thou hast yet "Some tasks to learn, some frailties to forget, "Ere the white war-plume o'er thy brow can wave;"But, once my own, mine all till in the grave !"

The pomp is at an end - the crowds are gone
Each ear and heart still haunted by the tone
Of that deep voice, which thrill'd like ALLA's own!
The Young all dazzled by the plumes and lances,
The glittering throne, and Haram's half-caught
glances;

The Old deep pondering on the promis'd reign
Of peace and truth; and all the female train
Ready to risk their eyes, could they but gaze
A moment on that brow's miraculous blaze!

But there was one, among the chosen maids, Who blush'd behind the gallery's silken shades,

One, to whose soul the pageant of to-day

Has been like death :- - you saw her pale dismay, Ye wondering sisterhood, and heard the burst

Of exclamation from her lips, when first

She saw that youth, too well, too dearly known,
Silently kneeling at the Prophet's throne.

Ah ZELICA! there was a time, when bliss Shone o'er thy heart from every look of his; When but to see him, hear him, breathe the air In which he dwelt, was thy soul's fondest prayer; When round him hung such a perpetual spell, Whate'er he did, none ever did so well. Too happy days! when, if he touch'd a flower Or gem of thine, 'twas sacred from that hour; When thou didst study him till every tone And gesture and dear look became thy own, Thy voice like his, the changes of his face In thine reflected with still lovelier grace, Like echo, sending back sweet music, fraught With twice the' aërial sweetness it had brought! Yet now he comes, - brighter than even he

-

E'er beam'd before,

but, ah! not bright for thee;