PART THIRD.
The sounds of an approaching storm—Vision, etc.
The east is overcast; the nearer isles
Are hidden by a sudden spleen; the clouds
Upon Elijah's promontory[165] now
Are mustering gloomily; there is a sound
Of rain, and as, with interrupted gusts,
The winds are rising, a long murmur comes,
More hollow, from the seas; at times a wail,
At distance, seems to mingle with the wind,
Audibly; even the sea-birds on the cliffs
Cower, while the sounds as of a trump are heard,10
Prophetical and sad. Let us retire,
For Sagittarius rules the wayward year.[166]
Pensive, they both retired into the cave.
The eyes of John were heavy, and ere long
He sank into deep slumber, like a child,
Hushed by the ocean sounds; and now arose
Visions more dark and terrible. He saw
The Lamb of God open the book. Hark! hark!
The thunder and the tempest roll! John saw
Four cherubims, and they said, Come and see!20
He looked, and, behold! on a white horse
Sat one who had a bow, and he there was crowned;
And with his bow, and crowned, he went forth,
"Conquering and to conquer."
Hark! a moan
Comes up from all the earth! The second seal
Is opened, and the second cherubim27
Cries, Come and see! Behold another horse,
And it is red;[167] and he who sits thereon
Is like a warrior, waving in his hand
The sword of slaughter; so he goeth forth
To kill and to destroy, and "to take peace
From all the earth." Listen! for the third seal
Is opening now, and the third cherubim
Cries, Come and see! Then said a voice to John,
What dost thou see?
JOHN.
Lo! a black horse appears—
Its rider has a balance in his hand.
Ride on—ride on! Justice and Equity
Visit the earth, with Plenty.[168]40
The fourth seal
Is opened now, and the fourth cherubim
Cries, Come and see!
VOICE.
What seest thou?
JOHN.
A pale horse—
VOICE.