Page:The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton (1779).djvu/33

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PART OF THE

FOURTEENTH CHAP. OF ISAIAH

PARAPHRASED.

Now has th' Almighty Father, seated high
In ambient glories, from th' eternal throne
Vouchsaf'd compassion, and th' afflictive power
Has broke whose iron sceptre long had bruis'd
The groaning nations. Now returning Peace, 5
Dove-ey'd, and rob'd in white, the blissful land
Deigns to re-visit; whilst beneath her steps
The soil, with civil slaughter oft' manur'd,
Pours forth abundant olives. Their high tops
The cedars wave, exulting o'er thy fall, 10
Whose steel from the tall monarch of the grove
Sever'd the regal honours, and up tore
The scions blooming in the parent shade.
When vehicled in flame thou slow didst pass
Prone thro' the gates of Night, the dreary realms 15
With loud acclaim receiv'd thee. Tyrants old
(Gigantic forms, with human blood besmear'd)
Rose from their thrones; for thrones they still possess,
Their penance and their guilt. "Art thou, they cry,"
"O emulous of our crimes! here doom'd to reign 20
"Associate of our woe? nor com'st thon girt
"With livery'd slaves or bands of warrior-knights,
"Which erst before thee stood, a flattering crowd,