The heavy darkness which doth tent the sky
Floats
backward
as by a sudden wind:
But I see no light behind,
But I feel the farthest stars are all
Stricken and shaken,
And I know a shadow sad and broad
Doth fall--doth fall
On our vacant thrones in heaven.
Elizabeth Browning
Awaken,
O right hand with the lightnings! Again gather
His glory to thy glory! What estranger,
What ill supreme in evil, can be thrust
Between the faithful Father and the Son?
Appear for him, O Father!
Appear for him, Avenger!
Appear for him, just One and holy One,
For he is holy and just!
_Ador._ Thy face upturned toward the throne is dark;
Thou hast no answer, Zerah.
_Zerah._ No reply,
O unforsaking Father?
_Ador._ Hark!
Instead of downward voice, a cry
Is uttered from beneath.
_Zerah._ And by a sharper sound than death,
Mine immortality is riven.
The heavy darkness which doth tent the sky
Floats
backward
as by a sudden wind:
But I see no light behind,
But I feel the farthest stars are all
Stricken and shaken,
And I know a shadow sad and broad
Doth fall--doth fall
On our vacant thrones in heaven.
_Voice from the Cross._ MY GOD, MY GOD,
WHY HAST THOU ME FORSAKEN?
_The Earth._ Ah me, ah me, ah me! the dreadful Why!
My sin is on thee, sinless one! Thou art
God-orphaned, for my burden on thy head.
Dark sin, white innocence, endurance dread!
Be still, within your shrouds, my buried dead;
Nor work with this quick horror round mine heart.
