May open that same book, or look thereon! Why dost thou weep? JOHN. I weep, because no man Is worthy found to open, or to read, Or look upon that book. I weep for this.* VOICE. Weep not; but say what follows. JOHN. Lo! a Lamb, As it were slain—it hath sev'n horns and eyes. He takes the book from the right hand of Him— WHO SITTETH ON THE THRONE! VOICE. What follows? mark! JOHN. The Elders and the mighty Cherubim * The book would be utterly and for ever sealed, but for our Lord Jesus Christ. Fall down before the Lamb, the Lamb of God, With solemn harps, and golden vials full Of odours. VOICE. These are pray'rs of Saints on earth : They sing a new Song to the Lamb! JOHN. And shout "Thou only, LAMB OF GOD, art worthy found "To take the book, and ope the seals thereof; "For Thou wast slain, Thou hast redeemed us "From every tongue and nation upon earth." VOICE. Hearest thou aught beside? JOHN. I hear the voice, Of shining mighty troops, about the Throne, Angels, and Seraphim, and Cherubim, "Be unto HIM that SITTETH ON THE THRONE, " AND TO THE Lamb, for ever and for ever!" The quail* went clam'ring by; the old man rais'd His eye-lids, and the VISION floats away. * Quails and rock pigeons, are the only land-birds on the island, as there are no bushes. ST. JOHN IN PATMOS. PART II. MORNING IN THE EGEAN.CONTEMPLATIVE VIEW.-SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA.-SUPERSTITIONS.-CRETE, ÆGYPT. How beautiful is morning on the hills Of Asia, stretching far, and faint descried! While, nearer, all the sunny Sporades,* That break the blue Ægean, shine in light, On this autumnal dawn! * The islands of the Ægean are divided into the Sporades and Cyclades: Patmos is among the Sporades. |