Samuel Brown

He came with us to thy great gates, oh Thou Unopened Age. Our noise was like the wind Chafing the wordy Deep; but broad and blind They stood unmoved. Then He,-we knew not how,- Laid forth his hand upon them. Lo, they grind Revolving thunders! Lo, on his dark brow The unknown light! Lo Azrael came behind And touched him. They clanged back, and all was Now. We wondered and forgot; but He, unbent, With eye still strained to the forbidden day, Towered in the likeness of his great intent As if his act should be his monument, Till Azrael pitied such sublime dismay, And led him onward by another way.