And on three thrones there sate three giant forms, 29 Rigid the first, as Death;--with lightless eyes, And brows as hush'd as deserts, when the storms Lock the tornado in the Nubian skies;-- Dead on dead knees the large hands nerveless rest, And dead the front droops heavy on the breast. The second shape, with bright and kindling eye 30 And aspect haughty with triumphant life, Like a young Titan rear'd its crest on high, Crown'd as for sway, and harness'd as for strife; But, o'er one-half his image, there was cast A shadow from the throne where sate the last. And this, the third and last, seem'd in that sleep 31 Which neighbours waking in a summer's dawn, When dreams, relaxing, scarce their captive keep; Half o'er his face a veil transparent drawn, Stirr'd with quick sighs unquiet and disturb'd, Which told the impatient soul the slumber curb'd. Thrill'd, but undaunted, on the Adventurer strode 32 Then spoke the youthful Genius with the crown And armour: "Hail to our august abode! Guardless we greet the seeker of Renown. In our least terror cravens Death behold, But vainly frown our direst for the bold." "And who are ye?" the wondering King replied, 33 "On whose large aspects reigns the awe sublime Of fabled judges, that o'er souls preside In Rhadamanthian Halls?" "The Lords of Time," Answer'd the Giant, "And our realms are three, The WHAT HAS BEEN, WHAT IS, and WHAT SHALL BE! "But while we speak my brother's shadow creeps 34 Over the life-blood that it freezes fast; Haste, while the king that shall discrown me sleeps, Nor lose the Present--lo, how dead the Past! Accept the trials, Prince beloved by Heaven, To the deep heart--(that nobler reason,) given. "Thou hast rejected in the Cuthites' halls 35 The fruits that flush Ambition's dazzling tree, The Conqueror's lust of blood-stain'd coronals;-- Again thine ordeal in thy judgment be! Nor here shall empire need the arm of crime-- But Fate achieve the lot, thou ask'st from Time. "Behold the threefold Future at thy choice, 36 Choose right, and win from Fame the master-spell." Then the concealing veils, as ceased the voice, From the three arches with a clangor fell, And clear as scenes with Thespian wonders rife Gave to his view the Lemur-shapes of life. Lo the fair stream amidst that pleasant vale, 37 Wherein his youth held careless holiday; The stream is blithe with many a silken sail, The vale with many a proud pavilion gay, And in the centre of the rosy ring, Reclines the Phantom of himself--the King.