Codex Junius 11
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(ll. 640-656) Then was the lord of Babylon once more seated upon
his throne; he had a better heart, a clearer faith in the Lord of
life, knowing that God dealeth unto every man weal or woe as He
desireth. The lord of nations was not slow to heed the counsels
of his wise men, but far and wide rehearsed the might of God,
where he had power of proclamation. He told his people of his
wanderings, his far journeys with the beasts, until the spirit of
the Lord God came upon him and thoughts of wisdom, when he looked
up to heaven. Fate was fulfilled, the wonder come to pass, the
dream come true, the punishment endured, the doom awarded, even
as Daniel said aforetime that the king would suffer downfall for
his pride, and earnestly proclaimed it before men, by the might
of God.
(ll. 657-674) Then for a long time Daniel gave judgment and
counsel in Babylon unto the city-dwellers. And after
Nebuchadnezzar, comrade and companion of the wild beasts,
returned from his wandering exile, the prince of the Chaldeans,
the wise and mighty leader of the folk, ruled his spacious
kingdom, guarding his treasure and the lofty city, until death
came upon him. And there was no man to withstand him upon earth
till God through death took his high kingdom from him.
Thereafter his descendants prospered greatly in that mighty
stronghold, in the city of earls, enjoying wealth and twisted
gold, a mighty treasure, when their lord lay dead.
LV
(ll. 675-685) And after him among that people arose a third
generation, and Belshazzar ruled the city and the kingdom until
his heart grew great with insolence and hateful pride. And the
Chaldean rule was ended! For the Lord bestowed the kingdom upon
the Medes and Persians for a space of time, and let the might of
Babylon diminish, which the heroes should have held. But He knew
that they were sinful men who would have ruled the realm.
(ll. 686-702) The lord of the Medes, as he sat in his stronghold,
resolved on that which none had done before him, that he would
lay waste Babylon, the city of earls, where the princes within
the walls dispensed the treasure. Now the city of Babylon was
the most famous of all the fortresses of men, the mightiest and
most widely known of all that men inhabit, until Belshazzar in
his boasting tempted God. They sat at wine within their walls,
fearing not the hate of any foe, though a hostile folk with
mighty hosts in armour were coming up against them, even against
the city of Babylon to destroy it. And the Chaldean king and his
kinsmen sat feasting on the last day.
(ll. 703-711) Now when the leader of the host was drunk with wine
he bade them bring the treasure of Israel, the holy vessels of
the sacrifice, and the gold which the Chaldean warriors and their
legions had captured in Jerusalem, when they destroyed the might
of Judah with the sword, boasting exceedingly, with tumult
seizing on the kindly folk and gleaming treasure, as they
plundered the temple and the shrine of Solomon.
(ll. 712-726) Then was the lord of cities blithe in his heart,
boasting fiercely and defying God, and said his gods were
mightier to save, and greater, than the Eternal Lord of Israel.
But, as he gazed, there came a dreadful token before men within
the hall, that he had spoken a lie before his people. The hand
of an angel of God appeared within the lofty hall, a sight of
terror, and wrote before the eyes of men upon the wall in scarlet
letters and words of mystery. Then the heart of the king was
troubled within him and sore afraid because of the sign; within
the hall he beheld the hand of an angel writing the doom of the
Shinarites.
(ll. 727-736) But the multitude, the host within the hall,
debated what the hand had written for a sign to the city-
dwellers. And many came to see the wonder. They searched the
thoughts of their hearts to know what the hand of the angel had
written. Nor could the nobles and magicians read the angel's
message till Daniel, wise and righteous, loved of God, came to
the hall. And his heart was filled with wisdom sent from God.
(ll. 737-742) Then, as I have heard, the city-dwellers sought to
tempt Daniel with gifts to read the writing and tell the import
of the mystery. But the prophet of God, skilled in the law and
wise of heart, made answer to them:
(ll. 743-765) "Not for gain do I pronounce God's judgments to the
people, nor of mine own strength, but freely will I tell thy
fate, and the meaning of the words thou shalt not change. In
thine insolence thou hast given into the hands of men the vessels
of the sacrifice, and in them drunk to devils, which formerly the
Israelites employed in holy rites before the ark of God, till
pride seduced them and drunken thoughts. So shall it be with
thee! Never would thy lord before thee lay hands of insolence
upon God's golden vessels, nor boast thereof, although it was his
legions that plundered Israel's treasure. But after the Lord of
glory showed forth His wonders upon him, the lord of nations
often spake before his people in words of truth, and said that
He alone was Lord and Ruler of creation who gave him blameless
glory in his earthly kingdom and great prosperity. But thou
deniest that He is the Living God who ruleth over devils..."
((LACUNA of indeterminate length))
CHRIST AND SATAN
LIBER II
I
THE LAMENT OF THE FALLEN ANGELS
(ll. 1-18) It is revealed to those who dwell on earth that God
had strength and power when He wrought the borders of the world.
By His wondrous might He established the sun and moon, the rocks
and earth and the oceanstream, water and clouds. By His strength
the Lord upholdeth all the deep expanse, and middle-earth. The
Son of God beholdeth from the heavens the sea and its
foundations: He numbereth every drop of the showers of rain. By
His wondrous power He hath ordained the number of the days. Even
so in six days, by His spirit's might, the Lord in heaven devised
the valleys of the world and the high hills, and founded them.
Who is there that clearly knoweth all that mighty work except
Eternal God?
(ll. 19-33) Joys He dealeth out and riches. He first created
Adam, and a noble race, the angel princes, which later perished
utterly. For, it seemed to them in their hearts it well might be
that they themselves were lords of heaven, princes of glory.
Then a worse fate befell them, and they went to find a home in
hell, the foul abyss, where they must needs endure grim woe and
surging flame, no more possessing radiance of glory or high-built
halls in heaven; but they must needs plunge downward to those
depths of fiery flame, down to the bottomless abyss, insatiate
and rapacious. God only knoweth how He hath condemned that
guilty host.
(ll. 34-50) The Old One crieth out of hell, with horrible voice
uttereth words accursed: "Whither is fled the glory of the
angels, which we should have in heaven? This is a home of
darkness, terribly bound with fettering bonds of fire. The floor
of hell is ablaze, and flaming with poison. The end is now not
far when we must suffer torment, pain, and woe, no whit
possessing bliss in heavenly glory, nor joy, in her high halls.
Lo! once we knew great bliss before the face of God, and songs
of praise in heaven in happier hours, where now stand noble
spirits round about Eternal God in His high hall, worshipping the
Lord with words and works. And here in torment I must needs
abide in bonds, nor ever hope for any better home, because of my
insolent pride."
(ll. 51-64) Then answered the foul fiends, black and sinful,
chained in torment: "Thou with thy lies didst teach us not to
serve the Saviour! To thee alone it seemed that thou hadst power
of all things in heaven and earth, that thou wert Holy God, even
the Creator. Now thou art bound. thou wretched fiend, with bonds
of flame. In thy splendour thou didst think the world was thine,
and power of all things, and we, the angels, with thee.
Loathsome is thy face! Sorely have we suffered for thy lies!
Thou saidest that thy son was Lord of men. Now is thy woe the
greater."
(ll. 65-74) So with bitter words and moaning voices the sinful
spirits spake unto their lord. Christ had cast them out, and
banished them from joy. They had lost the radiant light of God
in heaven through overweening pride. For all their joy they had
the floors of hell and burning pain. Pale, their beauty marred,
the fallen angels, miserable wretches, wandered through that
loathsome pit, because of the presumptuous deeds which formerly
they wrought.
II
(ll. 75-80) Then once more spake the leader of the fiends; he was
chastened anew, and racked with pangs of torment. Black with
fire and poison, he began to speak; no pleasant joy was this as
he poured forth his words in pain:
(ll. 81-92) "I was once a holv angel, dear unto God in heaven,
and knew great joy before the face of the Lord God, likewise this
multitude. But I resolved in my heart to overthrow the Lord of
glory, the Son of God, and have myself the power to rule the
world, and all this wretched host which I have led unto a home in
hell. Bethink ye of the token and the curse, that I was
banished, deep below the earth, in the bottomless abyss. I have
led you all from out your native home unto a house of bondage.
(ll. 92-105) "Here is no glory of the blessed, neither wine-halls
of the proud, nor worldly joys nor angel throngs, nor may we have
possession of high heaven. This loathsome dwelling burns with
fire. I am God's foe. Dragons dwell ever at the gates of hell,
inflamed and furious; they may not help us! This woeful house is
filled with torment. In this deep darkness there is yet no place
to shelter us, that we may hide therein. Here is the adder's
hiss; here serpents dwell. Firmly the bonds of torment are
fastened upon us. Fierce are the fiends, swarthy and black.
Here never gleameth day in the gloom of hell-shadows, nor the
radiant light of God.
(ll. 106-124) "Once I had power and glory, before I earned God's
judgment on my sin in this loathsome realm, upon the floor of
hell. Now I have come, and brought a host of fiends, unto this
home of darkness. But, flying forth from hell from time to time,
I needs must visit every land, and others of you also, who had
part in our presumptuous deeds. We need not hope the King of
glory will ever grant us a home and dwelling, as He did of old,
and everlasting power. For the Son of God hath power of all
things, of glory and affliction. Wherefore, downcast and
wretched, I must wander far, an exile journey, stripped of glory,
shorn of virtue, bereft of joy in heaven among the angels,
because I said of old that I was King of glory and Lord of all."
III
(ll. 125-128) But a worse fate befell him! So the accursed
spirit, doomed to woe, lamented his afflictions. (And through the
foul abyss a flame of fire raged, with venom mingled):
(ll. 129-141) "I am so large of limb there is no place in this
wide hall to hide me, sore wounded with my sins. Both heat and
cold by turns are mingled here. At times I hear the hell-slaves
howling, mourning these realms of pain beneath the earth; at
times men naked strive with serpents. All this windy hall is
filled with horror! Never shall I know a happier home, nor any
town or mansion; nor ever shall mine eyes behold the shining
world again.
(ll. 142-157) "Worse is it now for me that ever I knew the light
of glory with the angels, or melody in heaven, where blessed
souls are lapped in music by the Son of God. I may not injure
any soul save those alone which He rejecteth. Those may I lead
home into bondage, and bring them to their dwelling in the grim
abyss. Changed are we all from what we were of old on high, in
beauty and in honour. Oft, as disciples round our well-loved
Lord, we brought the sons of glory to the Saviour's arms, and
lifted up our songs of praise, and worshipped Him. But now I am
stained with evil, and wounded with my sins. In hell-fire
burning bonds of pain shall sear my back. nor may I ever hope for
any future good."
(ll. 158-162) Then once more the loathsome fiend from hell,
accursed in his woe, bewailed his endless torment. His words
flew up like sparks, most like to poison, as he hissed them
forth:
(ll. 162-175) "O! the majesty of God, the might of the Creator!
O! Thou Lord of heavenly hosts! Farewell to earth, and the
gleaming light of day! Farewell the bliss of God, the angel
hosts, the heavens above! Alas! that I have lost eternal joy,
that never again with my hands may I lay hold on heaven, nor
thitherward lift up mine eyes, nor hear in mine ears the ringing
voice of the trumpet, because I would have driven from His throne
the Lord, the Son of God, and seized myself the power of majesty
and joy and bliss.
(ll. 176-188) "Then a worse fate befell me than I could well
foresee! I am rejected from the heavenly host, cast out from
light into this loathsome home. I may not well bethink me how I
fell thus low, into this deep abyss, stained with my sins, and
cast out from the world. Now I know that he will forfeit all
eternal joy who thinketh not to serve the King of heaven and
please the Lord. Needs must I undergo correction, vengeance and
punishment and pain, stripped of every good, stained by my former
deeds, because I thought to drive God from His throne, the Lord
of hosts. Now, sorrowful and full of care, I needs must go an
exile-journey, a wandering wide."
IV
(ll. 189-208) Then God's foe went to hell, wherein he was abased,
and his thanes with him. covetous and greedy, when the Lord God
hurled them down into that burning house whose name is hell.
Wherefore let every man take thought in his heart that he may not
be displeasing to the Son of God, remembering how the black
fiends were undone by pride. And let us choose as our delight
the Lord of hosts, the Prince of angels, and eternal joy in
heaven above. He showed that He had strength and wondrous power,
when from His lofty throne He drove that great host into bondage.
Let us be mindful of the Holy Lord, eternal in glory, and choose
a home on high with Christ, the Lord of all, the King of kings.
With blithe thoughts in our hearts, and peace and wisdom, let us
be mindful of righteousness and truth, when we think to kneel
before His royal throne, and pray the Lord for mercy.
(ll. 209-223) It behooveth him who dwelleth in these worldly joys
to shine in beauty when he seeketh another life, and a land much
fairer than this earth. That is a land of beauty and of joy,
with fruits that brightly gleam among the cities. That is a
boundless realm, the home of the blessed in heaven, acceptable to
Christ. Let us turn thither where, in that dear home, the
Saviour sitteth, Lord of victories, and round about His throne in
radiant whiteness stand angel legions and all blessed souls, the
holy heavenly hosts, and praise the Lord with words and works.
Their beauty gleameth with the King of glory, world without end.
V
(ll. 224-227) And further still, as I have heard, the fiends
confessed. Their sin and punishment lay heavy on them. In their
presumptuous pride they had forgot the King of glory.
Straightway in other words they spake:
(ll. 228-244) "Now is it seen that we have sinned in heaven, and
now must ever wage a hapless war against the might of God. We
might have had our dwelling in the light of glory, in thousands
serving Holy God, and chanting hymns about His throne. And while
we dwelt there, and abode in bliss, came strains of heavenly
music on our ears, and the voice of the trumpet. Bright of word
arose the Prince of angels, and all His saints bowed down before
Him. The Eternal Lord Triumphant rose and stood above us, and
each day blessed that gentle throng, and His beloved Son, Shaper
of souls. And God Himself was merciful to all who came within
that kingdom, and had believed in Him on earth.
(ll. 245-247) "But it seemed to me that the Prince was stern and
hard of heart; and I began to go forth alone among the angels,
and said unto them all:
(ll. 248-253) "`I can show you enduring counsel, if ye will trust
my strength. Let us scorn this mighty Prince, the Lord of hosts,
and possess us of the radiance of His glory to be our own. For
this is empty boasting which we have borne so long.'
VI
(ll. 254-268) "And so it was we strove to drive the Lord from His
dear home, the King from out His city. But widely is it known
that we must dwell in exile, in the grim depths of heil. God
holdeth His kingdom. He only is the King, Eternal Lord, Creator
strong and mighty, whose anger smote us down. Henceforth this
host must lie here in their sin, some flying in the air and
speeding over earth. But round about each spirit fire burneth,
though he be up on high. Yet may he never lay his hand upon
those souls who from the earth in blessedness seek heaven. But I
may seize God's foes, all heathen slaves, and drag them down into
the pit.
(ll. 269-278) "Some must needs wander through all lands, sowing
dissension in the tribes of men throughout the earth. But I must
suffer all things, in the pangs of flame, sick and sorrowful,
lamenting here my lost possessions, which once I owned, while
still my home was in the heavens. Will the Eternal grant us ever
again a home and dwelling in the heavenly kingdom, as He did of
old?"
(ll. 279-297) So wailed God's adversaries, as they burned in
hell. God, the Lord, was moved to wrath against them for their
blasphemy. Wherefore should every living man, whose heart is
good, resolve to banish sinful thoughts and loathsome evil. Let
us be ever mindful in our hearts of the Creator's might, and
prepare a green path before us unto the angels. There is
Almighty God, and the Son of God will fold us in His arms, if we
on earth take thought of this beforehand, and trust His holy
help. Then will He not forsake us, but will grant us life among
the angels, and blessed joy. The radiant Lord will show us
stable dwellings, and gleaming city-walls. Brightly shine the
souls of the blessed, freed from sorrow, evermore possessing
cities and a kingly throne.
(ll. 297-314) O may we all proclaim it, ere it be too late, and
rehearse it unto men upon the earth, unlock with skill the
mysteries of God, and wisely understand them! A thousand angels
shall come out to meet us, if thitherward we take our way, and
have deserved this bliss on earth. He shall be blessed whoso
scorneth evil and is pleasing unto God, overcoming sin as He hath
said. The righteous, crowned with beauty, in their Father's
kingdom, shall shine like to the sun in the City of Refuge, where
their Lord, the Father of mankind, shall fold them in His arms,
and lovingly uplift them to the light of heaven, where they may
dwell for ever with the King of glory, possessing joy of joys
with the Lord God, for ever and for ever without end.
VII
(ll. 315-333) Alas! how rashly did the cursed fiend resolve to
disobey the King of heaven, the Comfort-bringing Father. With
venom burned and blazed the floor of hell beneath the captive's
feet. The fiends went howling through those windy halls, wailing
their woe. The sin and evil of that multitude were fierceiy
purged by fire. Grievous their fate! And their prince, who came
there first of all the host, was lettered fast in fire and flame;
that was unending torment! For ever must his thanes inhabit
there that loathsome realm, nor ever in heaven above hear holy
joy, where they had long had pleasant service with the angels;
all good things had they lost, and might not dwell save in the
pit of hell, in that accursed hall where sounds of weeping are
heard afar, gnashing of teeth and lamentation.
(ll. 334-354) They have no hope but only frost and fire, torture
and pain and swarming serpents, dragons and adders and a house of
darkness. He who stood within twelve miles of hell might hear a
gnashing of teeth, loud and full of woe. God's adversaries
wandered throughout hell, burning with flame above and below (on
every side was torture); oppressed with pain, bereft of joy, and
shorn of glory, they bitterly lamented that ever they had planned
to strip the Saviour of His heavenly kingdom, when they had their
home on high. But He held rightfully the courts of heaven and
His holy throne.
(ll. 355-364) No one is so cunning or so wise, or hath such
understanding, save God alone, that he may describe the radiant
light of heaven; how, by the might of God, the sun there shineth
round about that splendid host, where angels have eternal joy,
and saints chant hymns before the face of God. And there are
blessed souls, vho come from earth bearing in their bosoms
fragrant blossoms and pleasant herbs -- these are the words of
God. The Father of mankind shall fold them in His arms, and with
His right hand bless them and lead them to the light, where they
shall have eternal life, a heavenly home, a radiant
city-dwelling, for ever and for ever. He shall have bliss whoso
inclineth to obey his Saviour. Well shall it be with him who may
obtain it!
VIII
THE HARROWING OF HELL
(ll. 365-376) Within God's kingdom in the days of old the angel
prince was called "Light-bearer," Lucifer. But he stirred up
strife in heaven and turned to insolence and pride. Darkly Satan
planned to build a lofty throne in heaven, with the Eternal God.
He was their lord, the prince of evil. But he repented when he
needs must sink to hell, and with his thanes must feel the
Saviour's wrath; never thereafter might they look upon Eternal
God for ever.
(ll. 377-384) Then terror came upon them. and crashing thunder
went before the Judge, who bowed and burst the doors of hell.
And bliss came unto men when they beheld their Saviour's face.
But the hearts of that doomed folk, that dread host named
aforetime, were sore afraid. They were smitten with terror
throughout their windy hall, and wailed aloud:
(ll. 385-397) "Bitter is this Storm that burst upon us, the Angel
Prince, the Warrior with His legions. Before Him shineth a
fairer light than ever our eyes beheld, save when we dwelt in
heaven among the angels. Now will He end. by power of His glory,
the torment we inflict. Lo! this Terror cometh, with thunders
before the face of God, and soon this wretched throng shall know
affliction. It is the Son of God, the Lord of angels. He
leadeth souls up out of hell, and we shall be abased hereafter by
His avenging wrath."
(ll. 398-407) By His might the Lord descended into hell, unto the
sons of men. For He was fain to lead forth countless thousands
to their native home. Then came the sound of angel legions, and
thunder at the blush of dawn. The Lord Himself had overcome the
Fiend; the deadly strife began at dawn when the terror fell upon
them. He let the blessed souls, the race of Adam, mount upward
unto heaven. Yet Eve might not see heaven until she spake:
(ll. 408-419) "I, only, brought Thy wrath upon us, Eternal Lord,
when we two ate the apple through the serpent's guile, Adam and
I, as we should not have done. The fiend, who now doth burn for
ever in his bonds, told us that so we should have blessing and a
holy home, and heaven to rule. And we believed the words of the
Accursed. and stretched our hands unto the holy tree and plucked
its shining fruit. Bitter the price we paid, when we must needs
sink downward to this flaming pit, and there abide for many
thousand winters, dreadfully burning.
(ll. 420-434) "Now I beseech Thee, Lord of heaven, by this host,
the angel legions which Thou leadest hither, that I may be
delivered out of hell, with all my kindred. Three nights ago a
servant of the Saviour came to hell. Now is he fast in bondage,
spent with pain, for the King of glory was incensed against him
because of his presumption. Thou saidest unto us in truth that
God Himself would come to all who dwell in hell. Then everyone
arose, and leaned upon his arm, and rested on his hand; though
racked with pangs of hell, yet in their torment they rejoiced
because their Lord was coming unto hell to bring them aid."
(ll. 435-440) And she lifted up her hands unto the King of
heaven, beseeching mercy of the Lord for Mary's sake: "Lo! Of my
daughter wast Thou born, O Lord, to help mankind on earth. Now
is it seen that Thou art God indeed, the Everlasting Source of
all creation."
IX
(ll. 441-454) Then the Eternal Lord let all that host mount
upward unto glory. But on the fiends He fastened bonds of
torment, and thrust them down into the depths of darkness,
bitterly abashed, where darkly Satan rules, a woeful wretch, and
with him the foul fiends, forspent with pain. Never may they see
the light of glory, but only bell's abyss, nor ever hope for
their return, because the Lord God was incensed against them, and
gave them bonds of torment for their portion, and gruesome
horror, death-shadows dark and dim, the burning pit of hell, and
fear of death.
(ll. 455-467) Then was there gladness when the host returned unto
their native home, and with them the Eternal Lord of men, unto
His glorious city. With their hands the race of Abraham, the
holy prophets, bore Him up unto His home. Even as the prophets
had foretold in days of old, the Lord had conquered death, and
overcome the Fiend. All this befell at dawn before the blush of
day, when thunder came, loud crashing from the heavens. and God
bowed down and brake the doors of hell. The fiends' strength
lessened when they saw the radiant light.
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