They fall down,275
The four and twenty elders, at the feet
Of Him who sitteth on the throne, and cast
Their crowns before the throne, and cry, O Lord
Almighty! thou art worthy to receive
Glory and honour, majesty and might!280
Thou hast created all things; and for thee
They are and were created!
VOICE.
Oh that earth
Might answer their glad voices! Oh that earth
Might listen and repeat! What more?
JOHN.
I see,
In His right hand who sitteth on the throne,
A book; without, within darkly inscribed,
Having seven seals. Now, a strong angel cries,
With a loud voice, What man is worthy found290
To loose the seals, and open that dark book![128]
VOICE.
Ah! no one, in the heaven or on the earth,
May open that same book, or look thereon!
Why dost thou weep?
JOHN.
I weep because no man
Is worthy found to open, or to read,
Or look upon that book. I weep for this.[129]
VOICE.