In Solemn council sat the Gods; From Kolob's height supreme, Celestial light blazed forth afar O'er countless kokaubeam; And faintest tinge, the fiery fringe Of that resplendent day, 'Lumined the dark abysmal realm Where earth in chaos lay. Silence self-spelled; the hour was one When thought doth most avail; Of worlds unborn the destiny Hung trembling in the scale. Silence o'er all, 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 God-like mien, The love-revealing countenance Lustrous as lightning 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, Thy children to redeem. Whilst earth, as yet unformed and void, With pulsing life shall teem; "And thou, great Michael, foremost fall, That mortal man may be, And chosen Saviour yet 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, 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, mid untried spirits found; That captained these may be, And crowned the dispensations ail With powers of Deity. "A love that hath redeemed all worlds. All worlds must still redeem; But mercy cannot justice rob-- 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." Silence once more. Then sudden rose Aloft a towering form. Proudly erect as towering peak 'Lumed by the gathering storm; A presence bright and beautiful, With eye of flashing fire, A lip whose haughty curl bespoke A sense of inward ire. "Give me to go!" thus boldly cried. With scarce concealed disdain; "And hence shall none, from heaven to earth, That shall not rise again. My saving plan exception scorns; Man's agency unknown; As recompense, I claim the right 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; Then, like the thunder-burst, Rolled forth from lips omnipotent-- From Him both last and first: