FROM Sinai's top the lightnings flashed; The thunders rolled around—around— As if the heavenly orbs had clashed Together with destructive bound, And down their shattered fragments hurled Upon a desolated world. And on the mount there hung a cloud, Dark as the midnight's darkest gloom; And blew a trumpet long and loud, Like that which shall wake the tomb. And terror like a sudden frost Fell on the Israelitish host. In radiant fire the mighty God Descended from the heavenly throne; And on the mountains where He trod, A pavement as of sapphire stone Appeared like glittering stars of even When storms have left the deep-blue heaven. And as the wondering people turned To see the glory of the Lord, The smoke—as if a furnace burned Within the mountain, swelled and roared, And all its lofty summits shook Like sedge leaves by the summer brook. And Moses from the trembling crowd Went up to God's dark secret place And heard from the surrounding cloud His message to the Hebrew race, Who vowed with fervor and accord To keep the covenant of the Lord. For they had marked the trump that blew The fires that gleamed, the peals that roared— In shadowed glory shine to view The presence of the eternal Lord, Bright as His mercy chose to give, For none can see His face and live. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROUEN; 26 APRIL - 25 MAY 1915 by MAY WEDDERBURN CANNAN BORDER BALLAD [OR MARCH, OR SONG], FR. THE MONASTERY by WALTER SCOTT SONNET by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE MITHERLESS BAIRN by WILLIAM THOM THE LACHRYMATORY by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER |