Silence. That awful hour was one 480 When thought doth most avail; Of worlds unborn the destiny Hung trembling in the scale. Silence self-spelled, and there arose, Those kings and priests among, A power sublime, than whom appeared None nobler 'mid the throng. A stature mingling strength with grace, Of meek though godlike mien; The glory of whose countenance 490 Outshone the noonday sheen. Whiter his hair than ocean spray, Or frost of alpine hill. He spake;--attention grew more grave, The stillness e'en more still. "Father!" the voice like music fell, Clear as the murmuring flow Of mountain streamlet trickling down From heights of virgin snow. "Father," it said, "since one must die, 500 Thy children to redeem From spheres all formless now and void, Where pulsing life shall teem; "And mighty Michael[3] foremost fall, That mortal man may be; And chosen saviour Thou must send, Lo, here am I--send me! I ask, I seek no recompense, Save that which then were mine; Mine be the willing sacrifice, 510 The endless glory Thine! "Give me to lead to this lorn world, When wandered from the fold, Twelve legions of the noble ones That now Thy face behold; Tried souls[4], 'mid untried spirits found, That captained these may be, And crowned the dispensations all With powers of Deity. "Who blameless bide the spirit state, 520 Clothe them in mortal clay, The stepping-stone[5] to glories all, If man will God obey, Believing where he cannot see, Till he again shall know, And answer give, reward receive, For all deeds done below. "The love that hath redeemed all worlds[6] All worlds must still redeem; But mercy cannot justice rob-- 530 Or where were Elohim? Freedom--man's faith, man's work, God's grace-- Must span the great gulf o'er; Life, death, the guerdon or the doom, Rejoice we or deplore." Still rang that voice, when sudden rose Aloft a towering form, Proudly erect as lowering peak 'Lumed by the gathering storm; A presence bright and beautiful, 540 With eye of flashing fire, A lip whose haughty curl bespoke A sense of inward ire. "Send me!"--coiled 'neath his courtly smile A scarce concealed disdain-- "And none shall hence, from heaven to earth, That shall not rise again. My saving plan exception scorns[7]. Man's will?--Nay, mine alone. As recompense, I claim the right 550 To sit on yonder Throne!" Ceased Lucifer. The breathless hush Resumed and denser grew. All eyes were turned; the general gaze One common magnet drew. A moment there was solemn pause-- Listened eternity, While rolled from lips omnipotent The Father's firm decree: