Great day of dread, decision, and despair!
At thought of thee, each sublunary wish
Lets go its eager grasp, and drops the world; 223
And catches at each reed of hope in heaven.
At thought of thee!—And art thou absent then?
Lorenzo! no; ’tis here; it is begun;—
Already is begun the grand assize,
In thee, in all: deputed Conscience scales
The dread tribunal, and forestalls our doom;
Forestalls; and, by forestalling, proves it sure. 230