The life and writings of Henry Fuseli Volume I Part 12

SATAN bursts from CHAOS.

He ceas'd; and Satan stay'd not to reply, But---- Springs upward like a pyramid of fire.

Book II. v. 1010.

In the possession of the Countess of Guilford.

PICTURE XII.

ULYSSES between SCYLLA and CHARYBDIS. An exemplification of SATAN straitened in his pa.s.sage to Light.

----Harder beset Than when Ulysses on the larboard shunn'd Charybdis, and by th' other whirlpool steer'd So he with difficulty and labour hard Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour he.

Book II. v. 1019.

In the possession of the Countess of Guilford.

PICTURE XIII.

ADAM and EVE first discovered by SATAN.

Under a tuft of shade that on a green Stood whisp'ring soft, by a fresh fountain side They sat them down.

Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, Alone as they---- ----aside the 'Spirit' turn'd For envy, yet with jealous leer malign Ey'd them askance.---- Book IV. v. 325, 337, 502.

PICTURE XIV.

SATAN surprised at the ear of EVE, starting from the touch of ITHURIEL'S Spear.

Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear Touch'd lightly;---- ----up he starts Discovered and surpris'd. As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder,---- ----the s.m.u.tty grain With sudden blaze diffus'd inflames the air: So started up in his own shape the Fiend.

Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd So sudden to behold the grisly king.

Book IV. v. 810.

In the possession of John Angerstein, Esq.

PICTURE XV.--A SKETCH.

SATAN discovering his fate in the Scale aloft, flying from GABRIEL and the Angelic Squadron.

----On th' other side Satan alarm'd Collecting all his might dilated stood.---- ----The Fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murm'ring, and with him fled the shades of night.

Book IV. v. 985, 1013.

PICTURE XVI.

The Dream of EVE, fancying to have tasted the fruit from the Tree of interdicted Knowledge, with

One shap'd and wing'd like one of those from Heaven.

----Forthwith up to the clouds With him I flew, and underneath beheld The earth outstretch'd immense---- ----Suddenly My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down, And fell asleep;---- Book V. v. 55, 86, 90.

In the possession of Wm. Young Ottley, Esq.

PICTURE XVII.

The creation of EVE, as related by ADAM.

Abstract as in a trance methought I saw, Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape Still glorious before whom awake I stood; Who stooping open'd my left side, and took From thence a rib---- Under his forming hands a creature grew, ----So lovely fair, That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now Mean, or in her summ'd up.---- Book VIII. v. 462, 470.

PICTURE XVIII.

EVE, new created, led to ADAM.

----On she came, Led by her heav'nly Maker,---- And guided by his voice,---- Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her eye, I overjoy'd could not forbear aloud.

This turn has made amends.---- Book VIII. v. 484.

In the possession of John Angerstein, Esq.

PICTURE XIX.

EVE at the forbidden Tree.

----Her rash hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, she pluck'd, she eat; ----Back to the thicket slunk The guilty serpent.---- Book IX. v. 780.

PICTURE XX.

ADAM resolved to share the fate of Eve; the Guardian Angels leaving the Garden.

----if death Consort with thee, death is to me as life; Our state cannot be sever'd, we are one, One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself.

So Adam, and thus Eve to him reply'd.

O glorious trial of exceeding love, Ill.u.s.trious evidence, example high!

So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy Tenderly wept---- Up into Heav'n from Paradise in haste Th' angelic guards ascended, mute and sad For Man---- Book IX. v. 953, 958, 990.--Book X. v. 17.

PICTURE XXI.

EVE, after the Sentence and departure of the Judge, despairing, supported by ADAM.

----With swift ascent he up return'd.

She ended here, or vehement despair Broke off the rest; so much of death her thoughts Had entertain'd, as dy'd her cheeks with pale.

But Adam with such counsel nothing sway'd, To better hopes his more attentive mind Lab'ring had raised.---- Book X. v. 224, 1007.

PICTURE XXII.