1981–1990 | |
Poem:
Alasdair Gray © 2005 | |
mankind’s king we lift up our words with mind’s of love! He is greatest wealth, chieftain of all the high creation, lord almighty none ever formed him or protected nor now end come to eternal rightness but he be a kingship over the heavenly seats. The highest throne truthfast and strong formed sunbossomed he held then were seated wide on all side through the realm of god splenders born of the ghostly word. Having gleam and song and appointed order angel legions berthed in bliss. Was there glory mighty! Then considered our commander, mind conceiving how he the grand creation’s noble chairs again get filled, by the sunbright seat with a better race than who boastfully scorned the rejected chief high in the heaven. Forthwith holy god under heaven’s hand (that mighty kingdom) willed him that earth and upper sky and wide water get set by his word in a world created the bad to repay, they that withheld from shelter given. Nor was there yet unless darkly cold creature bespoken, but this wide ground stood deep and dim, sternly framed, idle and useless. On that turned his eye the strong king and the place beheld soundless, seeing dark that work as middle night black under heaven blind and waste until this creation through word got worth from the glorious king. Here first eternal order, helmet of all things, heaven and earth, sky-ceiling reared and this roomy land over-arched strong and mighty from the almighty. Earth was still yet of grass ungreen; spearman’s weather black as night, height and width dark in all ways. Then was the glory bright heavenward ghost over the waves born, mightily sped. Creator of angel troops, life-bringer, light forthcoming over the plain ground. Soon was fulfilled high king’s behest; of him was holy light over the wastes, as so the maker bade. | |||
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