stone--a deep, deep red
Is round about, yet, as a jasper, bright
His face! The sun is of an ashy pale, 236
So red and bright that form!

VOICE.

Thou seest the throne
Of the Eternal Justice. Look again.

JOHN.

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.

They are the Spirits of the living God.

JOHN.

Four mighty cherubims,[127] which blaze with eyes,
Having six wings, and full of eyes within,
Are 'round the throne: I see their radiant forms.

VOICE.

These rest not night nor day.

JOHN.

I hear them now,
Proclaiming, Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God Almighty, Him who was, and is,
And is to come! And while these cherubims 270
Give honour, glory, praise, and thanks to Him
Who sitteth on the throne,--

VOICE.

To Him who lives
For ever and for ever!

JOHN.

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 worth