ccording to
the ordinary course of human generation, while he nevertheless
was more righteous, prudent, and wise than other men. Moreover,
after his baptism, Christ descended upon him in the form of a dove
from the Supreme Ruler, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father,
and performed miracles. But at last Christ departed from Jesus,
and that then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ
remained impassible, inasmuch as he was a spiritual being."
`The Writings of Irenaeus, transl. by Rev. Alexander Roberts, D.D.,
and Rev. W. H. Rambaut, A.B.', Edinburgh, 1868. Vol. I., Book I.,
Chap xxvi.
--

"Is this indeed a burthen for late days,
And may I help to bear it with you all,
Using my weakness which becomes your strength?
For if a babe were born inside this grot, {340}
Grew to a boy here, heard us praise the sun,
Yet had but yon sole glimmer in light's place,--
One loving him and wishful he should learn,
Would much rejoice himself was blinded first
Month by month here, so made to understand {345}
How eyes, born darkling, apprehend amiss:
I think I could explain to such a child
There was more glow outside than gleams he caught,
Ay, nor need urge `I saw it, so believe!'
It is a heavy burthen you shall bear {350}
In latter days, new lands, or old grown strange,
Left without me, which must be very soon.
What is the doubt, my brothers? Quick with it!
I see you stand conversing, each new face,
Either in fields, of yellow summer eves, {355}
On islets yet unnamed amid the sea;
Or pace for shelter 'neath a portico
Out of the crowd in some enormous town
Where now the larks sing in a solitude;
Or muse upon blank heaps of stone and sand {360}
Idly conjectured to be Ephesus:
And no one asks his fellow any more
`Where is the promise of His coming?' but
`Was He revealed in any of His lives,
As Power, as Love, as Influencing Soul?' {365}

--
346. darkling: an old adverbial form; in the dark.
See `Paradise Lost', III. 39. "O, wilt thou darkling leave me?"
Sh's `M. N. D.', II. 2. 86; "So, out went the candle,
and we were left darkling." `Lear', I. 4. 237; also `A. and C.',
IV. 15. 10.

353. What is the doubt, my brothers?: He addresses his brothers
of the far future. The eight following verses are very beautiful.