"Thus when ELIJA mark'd from Carmel's brow 560 In bright expanse the briny flood below; Roll'd his red eyes amid the scorching air, Smote his firm breast, and breathed his ardent prayer; High in the midst a massy altar stood, And slaughter'd offerings press'd the piles of wood; 565 While ISRAEL'S chiefs the sacred hill surround, And famish'd armies crowd the dusty ground; While proud Idolatry was leagued with dearth, And wither'd famine swept the desert earth.-- "OH, MIGHTY LORD! thy woe-worn servant hear, 570 "Who calls thy name in agony of prayer; "Thy fanes dishonour'd, and thy prophets slain, "Lo! I alone survive of all thy train!-- "Oh send from heaven thy sacred fire,--and pour "O'er the parch'd land the salutary shower,-- 575 "So shall thy Priest thy erring flock recal,-- "And speak in thunder, "THOU ART LORD OF ALL."-- He cried, and kneeling on the mountain-sands, Stretch'd high in air his supplicating hands. --Descending flames the dusky shrine illume; 580 Fire the wet wood, the sacred bull consume; Wing'd from the sea the gathering mists arise, And floating waters darken all the skies; The King with shifted reins his chariot bends, And wide o'er earth the airy flood descends; 585 With mingling cries dispersing hosts applaud, And shouting nations own THE LIVING GOD." The GODDESS ceased,--the exulting tribes obey, Start from the soil, and win their airy way; The vaulted skies with streams of transient rays 590 Shine, as they pass, and earth and ocean blaze. So from fierce wars when lawless Monarch's cease, Or Liberty returns with laurel'd Peace; Bright fly the sparks, the colour'd lustres burn, Flash follows f 595 Blue serpents sweep along the dusky air, Imp'd by long trains of scintillating hair; Red rockets rise, loud cracks are heard on high, And showers of stars rush headlong from the sky, Burst, as in silver lines they hiss along, 600 And the quick flash unfolds the gazing throng. _Argument of the Second Canto._