Beneath some patriarchal tree, has cheered SCENE FROM HADAD. The terraced roof of ABSALOM's house by night; adorned with vases of flowers and fragrant shrubs; an awning over part of it. TAMAR and HADAD. Tam. No, no, I well remember-proofs, you said, Unknown to Moses. Had. Well, my love, thou know'st Had. Of all mine eyes have seen, The greatest, wisest, and most wonderful Is that dread sage, the Ancient of the Mountain. [locks Had. None knows his lineage, age, or name: his And high communion with celestial powers. Tam. I've heard a tale Like this, but ne'er believed it. Had. I have proved it. Through perils dire, dangers most imminent, Had. On the highest peak Of stormy Caucasus there blooms a spot Tam. But didst thou see him? Had. Never did I view Such awful majesty: his reverend locks His raiment glistered saintly white, his brow Rose like the gate of Paradise, his mouth Was musical as its bright guardians' songs. Tam. What did he tell thee? Oh! what wisdom From lips so hallowed? Had. Whether he possess [fell The Tetragrammaton-the powerful name [rules But 'twas from him I learned their fate, their fall, Tam. But did he tell it thee? Had. He told me much-more than I dare reveal; For with a dreadful oath he sealed my lips. Tam. But canst thou tell me nothing? Why unSo much, if I must hear no more? Had. You bade [fold Explain my words, almost reproached me, sweet, For what by accident escaped me. Tam. Ah! A little-something tell me-sure not all Had. Then promise never, Never to utter of this conference Tam. Solemnly I vow. Had. Even then, 'tis little I can say, compared With all the marvels he related. Tam. Come, I'm breathless. Tell me how they sinn'd, how fell. Had. Their head, their prince involved them in his ruin. Tam. What black offence on his devoted head Drew endless punishment? Had. The wish to be Like the All-Perfect. Tam. Arrogating that Due only to his Maker! awful crime ! But what their doom? their place of punishment? Had. Above, about, beneath; earth, sea, and air; Their habitations various as their minds, Employments, and desires. Tam. But are they round us, Hadad? not confined In penal chains and darkness? Had. So he said, And so your holy books infer. What saith Your Prophet? what the Prince of Uz? Tam. I shudder, Lest some dark minister be near us now. Had. You wrong them. ligences, They are bright intel Robbed of some native splendour, and cast down, 'Tis true, from Heaven; but not deformed, and foul. Revengeful, malice-working fiends, as fools That sun or stars were useless there. Had. He bade me look on rugged Caucasus, Are glorious palaces and domes of light, Had. There they dwell, and muse, Whose thoughts connect past, present, and to come, Thus, in the sparry chambers of the sea Tam. Are they beautiful, And powerful far beyond the human race? Had. Man's feeble heart cannot conceive it. When The sage described them, fiery eloquence Flowed from his lips, his bosom heaved, his eyes Grew bright and mystical; moved by the theme, Like one who feels a deity within. Tam. Wondrous ! with men? What intercourse have they Had. Sometimes they deign to intermix with man, But oft with woman. Tam. Ha! with woman? Had. She Attracts them with her gentler virtues, soft, Tam. That surpasses all Had. This the sage affirms; And Moses, darkly. Tam. How do they appear? How manifest their love? Had. Sometimes 'tis spiritual, signified By beatific dreams, or more distinct And glorious apparition. They have stooped To animate a human form, and love Like mortals. Tam. Frightful to be so beloved! Who could endure the horrid thought! What makes Had. Dark imaginations haunt me When I recall the dreadful interview. Tam. Oh, tell them not: I would not hear them. Had. But why contemn a spirit's love? so high, So glorious, if he haply deigned? Tam. Forswear My Maker! love a demon! Had. No-oh, no And [lo! My thoughts but wandered. Oft, alas! they wander. [He appears lost in thought. Tell me, ascrib'st thou influence to the stars? Had. (starting.) The stars! What know'st thou of the stars? |