There is a rainbow[124] round about the throne,240
Tempering the fiery red.
VOICE.
It is the bow
Of mercy, and of pardon, and of peace;
Of mercy, as when, stealing from the clouds,
It came forth, beautiful and silently,
Above the waste of waters, and the flood,
Receding—token of the covenant
Of grace restored; while the great orb of day
Shone westering, and some few small drops of rain
Fell transient in the sunshine, where, far off,250
The wings of the ascending dove were seen,
And by the altar, in the rainbow-light—
That light upon the altar and his brow—
The world's survivor stood. What seest thou more?
JOHN.
About the throne are four and twenty seats;[125]
And four and twenty elders, clothed in white,
Each having on his head a crown of gold,
Are on those seats.
VOICE.[126]
Dost thou not hear a voice?259
JOHN.
Yea! voices, such as earth ne'er heard; and, lo!
There are seven lamps of fire, before the throne.
VOICE.