Classic Poem

I.

I sate with those who sighed
In bonds abhorred
Beside the Chebar's alien tide,
And saw the heavens cloven wide,
And saw the vision of the Lord.

II

Behold a northern hurricane
Whereon a monstrous cloud did sit.
Infolding whirls of fiery rain
With amber in the midst of it,
While brightness girdled all again.

III

From out the flying storm
Of circling flame
And luminous amber color, came
Four wondrous living creatures,
Alike to Adam's sons in form
But other far in features;
For each beheld with fourfold eyes
And showed a fourfold face,
One countenance of human grace,
The others lordly beasts in guise,
Expressing things beyond surmise.

IV

On fourfold wings they sped
Straight forward, never turning,
Suffused with gleams from foot to head
Like coals of altars glowing red,
Or golden lamps a-burning,
While issued from the spangled splendor
Incessant lightnings keen and slender.

V

Above their foreheads shone,
And trembled as they went,
A plumage woven of the firmament,
In color like a dreadful crystal stone.
The clamor of their wings surpassed
The noise of waters vast,
The roar of rivers downward driven,
The shout of billows tempest-riven.

VI

I saw them fly
Athwart the earth's dominions,
Till suddenly, above the sky,
A mighty voice resounded;
Whereon they drooped their pinions
And stood with faces turned on high
Like creatures all confounded
Because of some great glory nigh.

VII

Then, far beyond unaided ken,
Appeared a blinding sapphire throne,
Whereon sate One, sublime, alone,
In fashion like the sons of men.