159


The  cross  itself,  yet  bora  of  storax-tree '  —
And  over  it  —  in  uniformity
>  55  Fourfold — the  cherubim  their  pinions  spread,
And  the  inviolable  sanctities  *
Covered  obediently .^     Without  the  veil
Part  of  the  shrine  stood  open  :  facing  it,
Heavy  with  broad  brass,  did  an  altar  stand ;
«6o  And  with  two  triple  sets  (on  each  side  one)
Of  branches  woven  with  the  central  stem,
A  lampstand,  and  as  many  *  lamps  :
The  golden  substance  wholly  filled  with  light
The  temple.5

Thus  the  temple's  outer  face,
'65  Common  and  open,  does  the  ritual
Denote,  then,  of  a  people  lingering
Beneath  the  Law ;  amid  whose  *  gloom  there

shone
The  Holy  Spirit's  sevenfold  unity
Ever,  the  People  sheltering.7     And  thus
^70  The  Lampstand  True  and  livhig  Lamps  do

shine
Persistently  throughout  the  Law  and  Seers
On  men  subdued  in  heart.     And  for  a  type
Of  earih^  the  altar  —  so  tradition  says  —
Was  made.     Here  constantly,  in  open  space,
"75  Before  all  eyes  were  visible  of  old

The  People*s  "  works,"  ^  which  ever  —  "  not

without
Blood  "  '° — it  did  offer,  shedding  out  the  gore
Of  lawless  life."     There,  too,  the  Lord  —

Himself
Made  victim  on  behalf  of  all  —  denotes
>8o  The  whole  earth  '*  —  altar  in  specific  sense.
Hence  likewise  that  new  covenant  author,

whom
No  language  can  describe.  Disciple  John,
Testifies  that  beneath  such  altar  he
Saw  souls  which  had  for  Christ's  name  suf-
fered,
185  Praying  the  vengeance  of  the  mighty  God
Upon  their  slaughter.'^   There,'*  meantime,  is

rest.
