26.12.2007, 11:26
HEAVEN AND EARTH.
"And there was silence in heaven for the space of half an hour."
REVELATION,
GOD, who, with thunders and great voices kept
Beneath Thy throne, and stars most silver-paced
Along the inferior gyres, and open-faced
Melodious angels round;--canst intercept
Music with music;--yet, at will, hast swept
All back, all back, (said he in Patmos placed)
To fill the heavens with silence of the waste,
Which lasted half an hour!--Lo, I, who have wept
All day and night, beseech Thee, by my tears,
And by that dread response of curse and groan
Men alternate across these hemispheres,
Vouchsafe us such a half-hour's hush alone,
In compensation for our noisy years!
As heaven has paused from song, let earth, from moan.
"And there was silence in heaven for the space of half an hour."
REVELATION,
GOD, who, with thunders and great voices kept
Beneath Thy throne, and stars most silver-paced
Along the inferior gyres, and open-faced
Melodious angels round;--canst intercept
Music with music;--yet, at will, hast swept
All back, all back, (said he in Patmos placed)
To fill the heavens with silence of the waste,
Which lasted half an hour!--Lo, I, who have wept
All day and night, beseech Thee, by my tears,
And by that dread response of curse and groan
Men alternate across these hemispheres,
Vouchsafe us such a half-hour's hush alone,
In compensation for our noisy years!
As heaven has paused from song, let earth, from moan.