“Ah,” thought Michael,
“The desolate abomination stands
Most proudly where it ought not; ’tis not these
I blame, but gold, the cursed cause of all,
Gold that o’erthrew my fathers, and raised these,
These—and why not me also?” till he swore
That gold, and gold alone, should be his god,
As who alone rewards its worshippers.
“Therefore,” he said, “dear Idol, I to thee
From henceforth pay my vows; thou who dost raise