On high, the sacred images are borne;
There, in faint semblance, holiest Mary bends
In virgin beauty o'er her babe divine,
A sight which almost to idolatry
Might win the soul by love. But who can gaze
Upon that other form, which on the rood
In agony is stretch'd? .. his hands transfix'd,
And lacerate with the body's pendent weight;
The black and deadly paleness of his face,
Streak'd with the blood which from that crown of
Hath ceased to flow; the side wound streaming stil};
And open still those eyes, from which the look
Not yet hath past away, that went to Heaven,
When, in that hour, the Son of Man exclaim'd,
Forgive them, for they know not what they do!
And now arrived before the cave, the train
Halt to the assembled elders, where they sate
Ranged in half circle, Madoc then advanced,
And raised, as if in act to speak, his hand.
Thereat was every human sound suppress'd;
And every quicken'd ear and eager eye
Were center'd on his lips.
The Prince began, . Hoamen, friends, brethren, . . friends we have been
And brethren shall be, ere the day go down,. .
I come not here propounding doubtful things
For counsel, and deliberate resolve
Of searching thought; but with authority
From Heaven, to give the law, and to enforce
Obedience. Ye shall worship God alone,
The One Eternal. That Beloved One
Ye shall not serve with offer'd fruits, or smoke
Of sacrificial fire, or blood, or life;
Far other sacrifice he claims, . . a soul
Resign'd, a will subdued, a heart made clean
Not for your lots on earth,
Menial or mighty, slave or highly-born,
For cunning in the chase, or strength in war,
Shall ye be judged hereafter; . . as ye keep
The law of love, as ye shall tame your wrath,
Forego revenge, forgive your enemies,
Do good to them that wrong ye, ye will find
Your bliss or bale. This law came down from Heaven.
Lo, ye behold Him there by whom it came;
The Spirit was in Him, and for the sins
Of man He suffered thus, and by His death
Must all mankind be blest. Not knowing Him,
Ye wander'd on in error; knowing now,
And not obeying, what was error once
Is guilt and wilful wrong. If ever more
Ye bow to your false deities the knee;
If ever more ye worship them with feast,
Or sacrifice or dance; whoso offends
Shall from among the people be cut off,
Like a corrupted member, lest he taint
The whole with death. With what appointed rites
Your homage must be paid, ye shall be taught;
Your children, in the way that they shall go,
Be train'd from childhood up. Make ye meantime,
Your prayer to that Beloved One, who sees
The secrets of all hearts; and set ye up
This, the memorial of his chosen Son,
And Her, who, blessed among women, fed
The Appointed at Her breast, and by His cross
Endured intenser anguish; therefore sharing
His glory now, with sunbeams robed, the Moon
Her footstool, and a wreath of stars her crown.
deem us children of a race
Hoamen, ye Mightier than ye, and wiser, and by Heaven Beloved and favour'd more. From this pure Hath all proceeded, . . wisdom, power, whate'er Here elevates the soul, and makes it ripe For higher powers and more exalted bliss. Share then our law, and be with us, on earth, Partakers of these blessings, and in Heaven, Co-heritors with us of endless joy.
Ere yet one breath or motion had disturb'd The reverential hush, Erillyab rose. My people, said the Queen, their God is best And mightiest. Him to whom we offered up Blood of our blood and of our flesh the flesh, Vainly we deem'd divine; no spirit he Of good or evil, by the conquering arm Of Madoc mortal proved. What then remains But that the blessing proffer'd thus in love, In love we take? . . Deliverer, Teacher, Friend, First in the fellowship of faith I claim
The venerable Priest Ayayaca,
Old as I am, I also, like a child,
Would learn this wisdom yet before I die.
The Elders rose and answer'd, We and all!
And from the congregated tribe burst forth
One universal shout, Great is the God
Of Madoc,.. worthy to be served is He!
Then to the mountain rivulet, which roll'd
Like amber over its dark bed of rock,
Did Madoc lead Erillyab, in the name
Of JESUS, to his Christian family
Accepted now. On her and on her son,
The Elders and the People, Llorien
Sprinkled the sanctifying waters. Day
Was scarcely two hours old when he began
His work, and when he ceased, the sun had past
The heights of noon. Ye saw that blessed work,
Sons of the Cymry, Cadog, Deiniol,
Padarn, and Teilo! ye whose sainted names
Your monumental temples still record;
Thou, David, still revered, who in the vale,
Where, by old Hatteril's wintry torrents swoln
Rude Hodney rolls his raging stream, didst chuse
Thy hermit home; and ye who by the sword
Of the fierce Saxon, when the bloodier Monk
Urged on the work of murder, for your faith
And freedom fell, . . Martyrs and Saints, ye saw
This triumph of the Cymry and the Cross,
And struck your golden harps to hymns of joy.
As now the rites were ended, Caradoc
Came from the ships, leading an Azteca
Guarded and bound. Prince Madoc, said the Bard,
Lo! the first captive of our arms I bring.
Alone, beside the river I had stray'd,
When from his lurking place, the savage hurl'd
A javelin. At the rustle of the reeds,
From whence the blow was aim'd, I turn'd in time,
And heard it whizz beside me.
That from the ships they saw and succour'd me;
For, subtle as a serpent in my grasp,
He seemed all joint and flexure; nor had I
Armour to ward, nor weapon to offend,
To battle all unused and unprepared ;
But I too here upon this barbarous land,
Like Elmur and like Aronan of old,
Must lift the ruddy spear.
For vengeance, answered Madoc, else his deed
Had met no mercy. Freely let him go !
Perchance the tidings of our triumph here
May yet reclaim his country. . . Azteca,
Go, let your Pabas know that we have crush'd
Their complots here; beneath our righteous sword
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