terrors, To the people of the kingdom, If perchance he may allure them By the wonders he revealeth Of the blisses of the former, Of the terrors of the latter. But through all Nimæra’s kingdom Went a band of evil spirits, p. 41Tribunes of the Prince of Darkness, Went to aid his evil purpose; Pried and scouted every corner, Entered into all the dwellings, Came to tempt and to misguide them, Came to tempt Nimæra’s people, Lead them on to lust and evil, Taught them how to rob and plunder, Taught them how to kill and murder, Put corruption in their wishes, Poisoned all their thoughts and reasons, Mingled madness in their pleasures, Blinded them with show and grandeur, Gave them longings and ambitions, That they lost their true discernment, As a man with wines confuséd Loses proper sense and caution. And they gave such sumptuous meetings, And they said such wondrous fair things— Things that ne’er before were heard of, That the dazzled people followed; And they reaped a mighty harvest, Leading, drawing as they listed; For this was a simple people, Credulous, and blind, and simple. Now the Maker of the kingdom, p. 42From his pure and dazzling white throne, Looked and saw the dreadful havoc Raging mid Nimæra’s people, And it vexed him very sorely; For he loved the people fondly Who were wisely formed by Kalim: Bones, with matter moulded on them, Fraught with channels, watercourses, And red rivers running through them, From a mystic fountain rising, Flowing ever fast and constant, Giving and diffusing vigor Through the many wondrous members. Counsel took He to restore them From destruction’s ruthless havoc, In an earnest consultation Saying ever and repeating, “We must save this ruined people; We must give them light and caution: Light, to shew their wayward goings; Caution, to direct them rightly.” So a band of spirits went out, Builded with a holy ardour, Sped athrough the heights and spaces To Nimæra’s kingdom, saying: “We will reason with this people; p. 43Reason boldly, turn and change them, Warn them of the evil spirits, Shew them thrones, and crowns, and mansions, As a trophy of repentance, Till they cannot fail but hear us, Till they turn in great rejoicing.” Thus the spirits went and wandered, Talked and reasoned with the people, Shewing thrones, and crowns, and mansions, Using every power and effort To persuade them of the folly, Of the dangers they were choosing. They who heard the deep entreaties For a minute turned to listen; Felt the powers within them moving Striving to believe and follow. But, a little season longer, When the spirits passéd from them, They returned unto the rapids, To the mighty stream of ruin Rolling onward to destruction; For they were so much enamoured By the cunning fascinations Which the evil spirits gave them 

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