Rebellion of hell : a poem

Canto the Twelfth 239 AUTHOR'S NOTE

Like the epic poets I have mingled throughout, the probable and improbable, in art. Homer in his Iliad mixes mortals and immortals, that is, men and women, with gods and goddesses ; the first being the probable and the last the improbable. When Neptune rides through the sea to the shore for the purpose of inspiring the troops by means of a speech, and when Venus with wounded hand from the battlefield mounts weeping to heaven, we know that, while such things are improbable, they are necessary to carry on the main design of Homer. Virgil is a reflection of the Greek. The Catholic epics, Dante and Tasso, and the Protestant, Milton, have each used different forms of the improbable, all of which are unlike those of the Iliad. Tasso has his spells and enchantments, Dante his shades and angels, Milton his personal god and devil, and each a mixture of all. But modern Christianity requires another form of expression in heroic poetry aside from any of these.

As is seen in The Rebellion, both Heaven and hell are considered as present conditions of mind, divided into the Spiritual and carnal, and fought accordingly. That much is strictly metaphysical, thoughts taking human shape and going about as men ; and this, according to art, is the improbable. But there is something else.

11 INTRODUCTION

Throughout the poem is seen portrayed immortaHty of Hfe in the flesh (the ideal state), and also in the last canto, how man, no matter how wicked he may be, is saved into the Spiritual Mind by overcoming his faults. Love neither damns nor destroys.

Of course bad thoughts cannot be saved, hence the destruction of the carnal mind, bad thoughts. But with Villard, Boncella and the conquered hero Mideon we deal in the probable. These three, that I be enabled to carry on the second design, immortality in the flesh, are human beings (not thoughts), as are also Clement and Cassia. That the poem be not confused, the smallest possible number of probable characters has been used; and aside from these five, I believe that the probable has been brought into action but once throughout the entire poem, and that is in the tenth canto, when Lytheus orders the people of the City Lust to fly for their lives beyond the rampart.

That Love neither damns nor destroys is portrayed in still another way in the metaphysical battles. It will be seen that not a single chief of the carnal mind dies at Heaven's hands. Every one of them meets death from wounds inflicted by hell itself. However, thousands of its troops are killed by Heaven in battle ; but that is necessary to carry on the main design.

The chiefs alone are representative of the various states in thought.

THE REBELLION OF BELL

CANTO THE FIRST. Goddess of Wisdom, whisper to my soul

Thy strains heroic as the visions roll:

Hell spurred by vengeance from small causes

given To war against the Sovereign State of Heaven, And of the spiritual Powers' defense renowned, Enclosed by modern thought, O Muse! resound.

Let thou the scene be laid on planet mind, The sphere of fancy for the time designed, Where Fable may have ample room to soar, To sing anew of man's most ancient war: The Good against the bad. And now.. O Muse! This humble song with liberal truth diffUse.

Upon the planet of the mind we stand, The Spiritual and carnal at each hand ; This way, an Empire* built of many a state, And that, a group of single nations great.

'Tis twilight hour. The darkening shades increase.

* For poetic effect only are ancient customs used throughout this poem. "The Empire" in every sense but name is an ideal republic.

Within the states, now wrapped in martial peace, From war removed, employed in realms of rest, Are seen the Good and carnal at their best.

This way, the heavenly Mind, by walls enclosed, On every side to states in hell exposed, Where rich simplicity shows full her face, Where close to Nature dwell the sovereign race ; That peaceful thought observed where'er ye

roam.

Who live for Love, for country and for home, At one with all, no matter what the creed, Accepting not religion, but the deed, Not party but the Truth wherever found, Not social glare but kindly wisdom sound. That way, the carnal mind, the rich in show, In mammon, man's religions, pride and woe. And all corruptions rising out of these, From hate to murder, falsehood to disease; With each her states awaiting but the word To send it rampant into war absurd ; With each enclosed by walls like Spirit Mind, But unlike her's to sin's defense assigned.

'Tis even's hour. We travel through the night, Beyond the heavenly State, with stars to light. All quiet seems as if 'twere ever so. This carnal plane of almost ceaseless woe.

A desert separating Heaven from hell We leave behind, in beauteous realms to dwell. Some distance from the wastes, in forests cool, A college stands, 'tis sage Rodolphus' school. (Rodolphus who has long the carnal youth Instructed in a creed opposed to Truth ; Rodolphus, foremost priest to god of fear,

Renowned for learning, famous far and near; The greatest scholar of his age and kind, And most insatiate foe to Spirit Mind). Upoii the border of three nether lands — Hate, Vengeance and Excess — the college stands; Of various buildings, built of marble white, Stone and rich metal reared to lofty height; Round which has nature taken liberal pains, In beauty clothed the groves and rolling plains. The most magnificent of tropic trees, Foliage and flowers the carnal student sees ; While all the arts and sciences combined (As taught in hell) are here to school his mind.

Now, in the sanctum of this learned seat, Rodolphus walks the floor in passion's heat. Tall, slim, of peaked face, of hoary beard, Of pointed nose, of eyes both small and bleared, Advanced in years, determined in his mien, The foremost sage of carnal thus is seen. Beside an open window Villard stands, — Son of a chief possessed of great commands, — Of medium height, with form and mien of grace. Young, handsome, dark of hair and fair of face; As forth and back before him walks the sage, And thus delivers loud his bosom's rage :

"Ungrateful youth! for whom all has been done.

Pray why your duty thus ignobly shun? Turn traitor to my school, disgrace your sire. Yourself, your master, and call forth his ire? But, nonsense ! why these questions ask of you ; A blind man could your wicked plan see through ! Love for that Cassia, princess of the Alind, The Spirit State, has turned you to her kind.

That you have sunk into blasphemous fire, Have been misled to join the Love Empire, Have severed your connection with my school, Disgraced your father, crowned yourself a fool, Gone to damnation for an artful maid, And at my door the curse of carnal laid, Is plainly seen. We need no more converse, Love's vile blasphemy or your deed rehearse !"

To which the youth : "O master, you mistake ! For Love I did not fear's domain forsake. Pray, how could carnal's curse upon you fall, E'en though I did upon the princess call? I Cassia met by chance, and since have paid But slight attention to the Spirit maid.

The sage rejoined: "No? Comprehend you not, Else you would shudder at your father's

thought ; That of the monarch of Illusion Land, To god of fear the right and ablest hand, The mighty Scowlard, ruler of this plane For him above, the lord of wrath and pain. Know then his order when you entered here: 'School Villard well, keep him belov'd of fear; And, sir,' he whispered in a wrathful breath, 'Should he with Love commingle give him

death!' (The face of Villard turned an ashen hue, From fright he trembled, and his dagger drew) Not for an instant shall you fear deny ; The wage is death ; you now are doomed to die !"

This said, he from his girdle snatched a blade, And through the darkness for his pupil made. A quick and vicious struggle then ensues,

In which the flagrant two their daggers use. In which strong youth soon conquers faihng age, In which uninjured is disarmed the sage, — Who from exhaustion sinks upon the floor; And Villard hastens from the college door.

Secure without he leaps upon a horse, And straight for Spirit Mind directs his course. Down through the forests, o'er the fertile plain, Across the desert, suffering violent pain (Rodolphus' blade had thrice inflicted wounds), Onward he travels t'ward the Spirit bounds; Passes close by the Castle Excess, where Re-echo festive voices on the air ; Arrives before the Gate (the pass is given) And rides adown the boulevard of Heaven. The Realm of Beauty, simple and refined. (No glittering pride), by Love all things designed.

For peace and comfort; — Nature's sovereign

home.

Where perfect seen is (jod's unscribbled poem; Where man is ere by selfish prophet led, Where he returns when all is done and said ; The first, the last, above the scribbling liar. Where Love makes good, not threats of endless fire.

Upon the green, with whispering trees around (A valley by commanding mountains bound) Is seen a youthful group who dance and sing, While far away the rippling echoes ring. Further on various other groups are seen. Some play at games upon the rolling green. Some sit in narrative beneath the trees, Some grouped in pairs partake of silent case,

Some to the lyre's enchantment Hsten still, Some steal away to climb the neighboring hill, Some sail abreast the moon-bathed tranquil lake, Some mounted of the beauteous night partake, Some charioteer adown the boulevard, And some observe the racing pastime hard ; And some with sword or javelin, spear or dart, In tournament enjoy the martial art : Others the drama choose for pleasure's scene, In open acted on the distant green ; In brief, all do what fancy bids they might, — 'Tis Heaven at play, and pleasure rules the night. Peace reigns throughout, and peace to celebrate Is this great gathering in the Spirit State. All day her people had themselves enjoyed. Thus with the natural pleasures full employed.

A group of girls had wandered near the wall, Had heard the sentry to Sir Villard call. Had seen him pass the Gate and tottering ride, Had seen him faint and tumble at their side.

One of them, crOwned by Nature to command, With rounded arm outstretched and little hand. Blue-eyed, of noble features, rosy fair. Not very tall, with dark brown wealth of hair, Of figure solid, graceful and refined. Forth hastens Cassia, princess of the Mind.

Over the wounded scholar, ghastly white, She bends amidst the moon's caressing light. And speaks, in accents most sincerely sweet: "Love has arranged that we this even meet. Sir Villard, know to God thou art akin, The God of Love, who knows no pain or sin, The God of Nature, perfect in her plan, The God of Life; the God of sovereign man,

The Rb:bellion of Hell 7

Who perfect health must first possess to reign, Else He had made him monarch of all pain. But no! He gives all life, nor takes away; 'Tis carnal that would have His works decay; 'Tis carnal mind attacks him everywhere, Makes seeming bad in man and Nature fair. But carnal must surrender up its shade When bold upon it Spirit's hand is laid. Foul spectre, Heaven comiriands thee back to

hell ; Vanish, vile thought ! Sir Villard, thou art well."

Without a single pain, without a wound, He stands, as while the girls him close around, And thus addresses Cassia : "Thanks to thee, From death in hell thou hast delivered me; I can no more return, for there the knife, In priestly hands, awaits my guiltless life. Shouldst thou permit, I here would glad remain. To serve thy State at home or on the plain."

And Cassia made reply : "My State is free, To willing hearts ; its keys are given thee. Come, join our group, our festive spirit don; A quiet feast awaits us on the lawn (Where it we had prepared when you appeared) Beside the brook, amidst the forest cleared ; As while the tranquil moon extends her care, And distant music lingers on the air. The mellow fruits of Nature and her bread, Fresh from the fields, and laurel for each head ; Her sweet refreshment bubbling from the spring, Her blessed scenes, as nightins softly sing; Her peaceful canopy of stars above, Her myriad voices whispering only Love."

She ceased; and straight the youthful party goes, To long with Nature feast in sweet repose.

Meantime, within the bordering carnal land, At Castle Excess, looms a function grand. Another peace assembly. Local hell, That is, the folk who near the borders dwell, Are now at Excess wrapped in full delight. Fulfilling Festus' call : / feast to-night; Which meant that all were welcome, rich and

poor.

And none could be displeased who passed his

door.

Festus, the carnal lord of mirth and feast. Who never from his door turned man or beast. In from the desert, and surrounded well By groves, abides this jovial prince of hell; Within a marble house sublimely made. Rising above the lofty realms of shade; Entwined by vines, with flowers and brooklets

clear, Commanding all the neighboring country near ; As fond enchantment full pervades the place, And entering hearts enfolds in mirth's embrace. Within the castle grouped around the boards, The guests partake of all the feast affords. All banquet blessings here are richly seen : Old wines, the luscious fruits and produce green ; Meats roasted, fried and boiled are steaming

laid, And flowers of every kind in taste arrayed. All things that please the mouth and eye are

found,

For by resplendent wealth is Festus bound.

The walls inlaid with glittering stone, reflects The torches' ray on rosy-tinted necks; And arms, with all their crimson hue and white. Enchant the more in this reflected light. Music supplies the feast with winning strains, That aid the nymphs to captivate the swains; These, with full tones of laughter, fill the hall, Float past the windows and re-echoing fall. Soft scented breezes fresh from mountain snows Caress the feasters, cool the lovers' throes. The sweethearts bathe, refresh their bosoms

white.

Sweep through the house and vanish in the night.

Throughout the palace cluster groups of maids.

Superbly robed in color's various shades ; With eyes enticing, through deception coy, With practiced modesty their charms employ.

Around the board, within their lovers' arms, Some feast, as wine improves the natural charms. Cups pass around ; they pledge ; the lovers' lips The same spots touch and vow true love in sips. A nymph who thinks her flame is much too old, With amorous eyes reviews a younger bold ; And envious she, the youthful handsome's fair, Who with a cutting glance returns the stare. One jealous eye attacks a neighboring lord, As he toward his dame looks o'er the board. The man observed thus, with a furious eye. Shoots forth a glance that does the spouse defy.

Some choose, beyond the castle's sumptuous door, In darkness deep, to practice cupid's lore.

An arbor, hid by spreading ivy vines, Shields two, to hide the damsel's blushing lines. A statue tall conceals two happy heads. The shrubs make many snug immantled beds. And midst the confines of a shadow great, A warrior best prefers to woo his mate; While some the groves, beneath the leafy green, Their places choose for love's sequestered scene.

Upon the housetop scores of children play; And dreamy age recalls another day, Comments upon the times as being cold, And hands around the latest gossip told.

Festus himself in every realm is found. In upper places, down upon the ground. Amidst the shadows, where the moonbeams

shine, And in the banquet hall of mirthful wine. A kiss he here bestows upon a fair, While there a word rejoins a stubborn pair; And when a youth through meekness slight a

miss, A glance inspires him straightway her to kiss. Man, woman, child and beast of every land, All come, all feast, all play at his command. The jovial host of Excess, rather tall. Of portly build, in robes that loosely fall; With hair of gray as like his pointed beard, Of crimson face and arms ; of all endeared ; With honest eyes that speak a kindly truth, With voice electric and the heart of youth.

Now, wrapped in silk attire of tissue fold, Her figure well displayed in manner bold; A graceful form, voluptuous, medium tall, Arrayed in sparkling gems offsetting all;

The Rebellion of Hell ii

Of brown eyes dark, rich curly raven hair, Of bosom, arms and face as liHes fair; A maid, whose beauty all the crowd excites. Appears to view beneath the flaming lights. Boncella, friend to Festus and Excess, Strolls slowly round in active idleness; The queen of coquettes, beauty of her day; As while her amorous eyes the guests survey, As while each step her ample members move, In lazy play her conquering powers improve; As just the faintest smile her dimples dent; With just enough exposed to discontent.

Lord Festus entering looked at every head, Boncella singled out, approached and said: "Ah! beauty, vowed of all the nation's choice. Greeting! make merry and in love rejoice! I have full long amidst our happy guests Looked for the face my vision now arrests. (He draws her near). I must a service ask. One which methinks should prove a pleasing task. Lubin, a handsome youth, has lost his mate, Who stole away because he was sedate. The boy reluctant failed to find his tongue. Impatience pierced her rapturous bosom young; Her touch inviting and love-longing eyes Were brushed aside as summer's tickling flies; Until at last she gave the slip and went To seek a beau on bolder love intent. Now, you have learned, 'tis not for maids unskilled To teach of love a youth with meekness filled ; Learned, too, 'tis wiser they seek daring mates, In whom requited love for them awaits. And so this lass to find a bolder one

Has left poor Lubin to himself alone. He wishes love but has nOt learned the art, The sight of woman quite unnerves his heart. That he may happy grow, or love be taught, I seek Boncella's beauty, charm and thought. Her fertile mind and rare dramatic power Can Lubin teach the game within an hour. Assured of such assistance all is well, For she as love's preceptress does excel. Prithee, Boncella, wilt thou Lubin teach? — Then after thou may'st practice what ye preach."

In answer she but smiling bowed consent. They then with arms entwined for Lubin went; Who soon was found within a dark retreat, With clouded brow, lamenting his defeat.

At their approach, he glancing up beholds Boncella's figure, draped in tasty folds; Struck by the supple form in silk tissue, Designs elysium bowers for lovers two ; And brews ferocious thoughts at her expense, As like a dove's his bosom swells immense. But brief the time he thus enjoys her charms Ere fear his bosom fills with wild alarms ; He crouches, trembles, wishes to be home, Lest she should him observe and nearer roam A wink from Festus bids the girl enclose; He then departs and t'ward the castle goes.

"O moon !" sings sweet Boncella, "how sublime!

Your grandeur does inspire the lover's rhyme; And beckons him to tempered deeds of love, The kiss, embrace, till hearts in rapture move. On grasses cold you make the dewdrops shine. These frozen tears to sparkle all divine.

Your liquid light enchantment lends the wood ; Steals on the heart in feelings fondly good, So something strange the senses soft excite, Makes bosoms long to mount the loftiest height. With all the happy young you share in mirth, But poor Boncella, lovable from birth, Stands in your light in burning tears of grief, Unloved, unpitied, singing for relief. Prithee, my tears make glitter like the dew : Though cold it burns and sheds a luster, too ; While o'er my cheek the scalding drops of woe. Slighted by you, are left without a glow. Hear then, O moon ! the pleadings of a maid, Who far beneath you lifts her hands for aid. Begs that you will, when she soon slumbering

lies, Make sparkle every tear that leaves her eyes ; Till strolling guests review that touching scene, Like now I do behold this sleeping green. Then ah! sweet moon, some handsome youth

may see.

And moved to pity come and waken me; In fond compassion nestle at my side. And with caresses all these sorrows hide. Sweet moon, your blessings on me now bestow. The heart aches and the joys 'tis thine to know ; So scan my bosom and behold it true. Good night, sweet moon ; I throw a kiss to you."

Thus rippled clear the rare soprano voice, To make the timid lad in hope rejoice ; As while the moonbeams dancing on her face, Belied each lyric sung of loveless grace. Aye! far more beautiful than sparkling grass, Were those false tears of this designing lass.

Then slowly, of a languid step and soft, She him approaches with her eyes aloft; And then : "Amidst yon trees in shadows deep, I shall enclose myself in virgin sleep; There poor Boncella weeping to be loved, Must spend the night in solitude unmoved. And now I lay me down as captive beast, In famished sleep while others fondly feast."

Then close to him she nonchalantly strolled, Wrapped tight her mantle round her perfect

mould, Collapsed into a feigned unconscious mien. And tragic-like sunk trembling to the green.

No sooner had this stratagem been cast. Than round her figure Lubin's arms were fast. "O, lady, thou art ill ! An ugly fall ! Art injured much? Shall I assistance call?"

This spoken loud he softly thus proceeds (While she jocose upon his logic feeds) : "She does not countenance my loud appeal, Nor round her my full arms so much as feel. The turbulent heaving of her rounded breast Proves she still lives though dangerous be her

rest.

But what to do ! I cannot summon aid, Lest Festus should conclude I harmed the maid; Say I detained her here and bolder grew Than one toward her should — a stranger too !"

This period reached he deep in silence fell, But thus proceeds, when rid the thoughtful spell: 'T have it now ! the damsel is unloved ; A while she spoke of solitude unmoved. Came weeping hither, wrapped in deep despair, To sleep as dewdrops sparkled on her hair;

Expecting thus some passing guest to charm, Till pity-moved he lent the loving arm. If such as she, so rich of voice and mind, And form voluptuous, can no comrade find. Then hope is mine; I shall succeed at last; This night successful will remove the past. This sleeping innocent 'tis mine to woo, And though her teacher, I shall profit too. A glorious scheme! all former faults away! The drama starts and Lubin leads the play."

This low was said ; the girl is now addrest (His voice is calm, his timid heart at rest) : "Ah, lovely maid, why seemest thou so sad, For want of heartease border on the mad? Why thus disheartened on the sordid earth, When all the guests participate in mirth? Look up ! the moon in answer to your prayer, Has placed nearby a comrade passing fair; So be no more morose ; his mission here Is thee to succor and transform to cheer. The most reluctant, broken-hearted too. With his attention soon are made anew. And long experience in these realms of art Has taught that first he must a kiss impart; A friendly kiss, that easy makes the way, A kind of prologue to the larger play."

This finished he, with rapture-lighted face, Boncella raises in a close embrace ; Presses, as though a fire, her rosy lips. And novice-fashion of love's nectar sips. At which the coquette slightly moves her brow, Sighs faintly with the murmur, "Who art thou? What fond diviner of my bosom's throes Comes hither to make light these many woes?

l6 The Rebellion' of Hell

What kindly hand has smoothed my ragged

locks, Who me now cradles and so fondly rocks? And what was that possessed such soothing bliss ? Could it be possible it were a kiss?"

These words on Lubin had a shivering tend, His courage failed, his bravery came to end. Assured she slept, removed in heavy swoon, A confidence had warmed the cub buffoon ; But at the first sign of her coming to. His fear returned ; he trembled through and

through, And dropped Boncella like a heated steel, As while his hands amongst his garments feel; Feel as for something but he knows not what — They like a spider wiggle when it's caught.

And then Boncella, cunning, calm, resigned, Opened her eyes, of aspect most refined ; Looked up at him from her enticing bed. With hands enclasped beneath her languid head. With arms at angles, soft and shapely bred. Sparkling with gems, as this she smiling said:

"Ah, do mine eyes see true, can this be so, Or am I still in dreams of mystic show? I begged the tranquil moon to quiet me, My heart from longing wretchedness to free ; And now, good-natured thing, in answering

prayer.

Has sent a youth of charming mien and fair. Ah, too, sweet moon, his figure is sublime. As fancy paints in life's romantic time. (She raised her hand and touched the frightened

breast) But that my head could here forever rest !

How happy then my erstwhile dismal lot,

To dwell in love, save love none other thought!"

She subtlely here arose upon her bow, And loosed her robes exposing much to show. One glance and then the pupil tried to bolt. But his preceptress charmed him back to holt. With cooling hand upon his heated head, She drew him near and more emboldened said :

"Ah, lovely youth, why would you run away? The night gives promise so 'tis well to stay. How sweet that smile ! far better than the scowl ; You now have learned I neither sting nor growl. Smile on, belov'd ; your smile is rainbow ray, Succeeding storm that clouds the darksome day. O, why did you not sooner give it me? — A smile is such a little thing, and free. 'Tis it that first breeds confidence in love. And prompts affection-smitten maids to move: In strong assurance of a love returned; — The smile has many a man an Eden earned. And now, as round you placed are these warm

arms.

My bosom swells with rapturous love's alarms ; Each pore imparts a sweet-bewildering pain, On which I dote and ever would retain. My own, dost feel my heart beat strangely fast, It feel beneath a warm soft melting cast? With maddening measures panting in its nest. Re-echoing rampant through my humid breast?"

While speaking this, her arms enclosed his waist.

And close to hers his bosom long embraced. But he made no reply ; bewitched by her, His mind and body both refused to stir.

His eyes no rest received ; to left and right,

They shot around as bhnded by the night.

His teeth made chattering discords and his

hands Each other gouged, and so his heels the sands. His wish was pleasure, but his heart rebelled. Between two fires was by the woman held.

Boncella seeing that her charms were power (Which ever were from their first budding hour) Wisely and slowly made the final play, In which the timid grew the happy prey. The fond preceptress of experience large, Instructed as she full enjoyed her charge. All transports in the art of love were used To keep her pupil, Festus' guest, amused ; As while the moon on other pleasures bent, Beyond a cloud retired in full content. And now we leave them, too, alone with love, As night forbidding guards the envied grove.

Canto The Second

Thus Excess full a mirthful time enjoyed, Till one appeared and carual's peace destroyed. Rodolphus at the midnight hour is seen To hobble past the gate and up the green ; To cross the threshold, mumbling discontent, Supporting with a staff his figure bent.

Festus was with the feasters in the hall When he received this unexpected call. Neither could he nor anyone divine What brought the sage to realms of mirth and

wine ; Both which he hated, for all things of cheer Contrary were to his religion dear ; Hence from surprise the folk their pleasure

ceased And straight assembled round the scholar-priest.

The cordial Festus him to \velcome sped, But was repulsed as stepping back he said : "Greeting, my lords of carnal, strong in arms. Rulers of neighboring nations, towns and farms! This night you mingle here in mirth and feast, For such these realms are famous west and east, From north to south ; while open is the door, Alike to youth and age, the rich and poor. Wrapped in the pleasures of a festive vein. My lords neglect their duties on the plain ; There at this instant you should be with arms.

To fight the Empire that in secret harms. Its spies and sorcerers when'er they please Invade, and rob my carnal lords of ease. E'en while you here attend this drunken meal, They shirk around and many a convert steal. 'Tis youth not age that does to them succumb. And this is why your arms to war are dumb. So long as to her chief each state is loyal, Ye trouble not when youth with serpents coil ; But read upon the wall your dreadful plight: Bereft of youth the strongest fall in fight. These in the battle shoulder all the weight, Hence with them rests the destiny of state. Then guard the youth, fear more for youth than