Undaunted 'neath the shadow of his doom, 2980 Calm as a statue, solemn as a tomb, Heedless of self, while hoarsely rumbles near Hate's fiery flood, that alien to all fear, That more than man, nor less than godlike soul, Erect upon life's summit, at death's goal, Unlocks time's portal, swings the future's gate, And opes to Ephraim's gaze his glorious fate. O diver in the days and years to be! Searching the caves of that prophetic sea, What bringest from the deeps of destiny? 2990 CANTO TEN The Parted Veil[1] Choice Seer, with spirit eye did he behold The sanguine scene that told his tragic fate? Surged by the flood of grief and shame that rolled Above the murdered honor of a State[2], Where innocence again fell prey to hate? There be who say he visioned all to come-- Forsaken cities, weeping, desolate, The desecrated fane, the blazing dome[3], The weary wanderings far in quest of peace and home. Saw, then, a tender hopeful tragedy 3000 (Pathetic omen of his tribe's increase) Uncurtained 'neath the star-hung canopy: Babes, new-born babes[4], there slumbering in a fleece Of moon-lit frost, as buds that bide release, When winter casts its mantle white and cold, Protecting life where life hath seemed to cease; Frail lambs, fresh penned within the Saviour's fold, And, like Him, manger-nurst, homeless on earth's threshold. Homeless a nursing nation, born e'en so-- Born in a day. O Day! and eyes of Night! 3010 Watch now the "little one" "a thousand"[5] grow, As grows the torrent from the trickling height, The blaze of noonday from the dawning light;-- The birth-throes of an empire, whose blest reign, Bounding from lowliness, soars past the sight Of all save prophecy, while cities twain[6] Sceptre the universe, with foot on land and main! Whose but a prophet's eye such end could see? Whose but a prophet's tongue the issue tell?-- A modern march of ancient destiny, 3020 Another Exodus and Israel, Bidding his bonds, his all, save hope, farewell; Widening, 'mid alien wastes, true freedom's fame, Where bondage, chained to darkness, fain would dwell[7]; And rearing temples to Jehovah's name, Where looms the Aztec's altar[8], quenched of its ancient flame. There bringing forth the promise of thy land, O rare and wondrous West!--the prophecy Of glittering cities strewn along thy strand, O golden empire[9] of the sunset sea! 3030 God-gifted Seer, while gazing endlessly, Sawest thou an Eden on the desert brine[10], Begirt with desolation's mystery, Ere gusht the riven rock with milk and wine, Where all was treeless waste and sun-baked alkaline?