Two spirits, one angelic and bright and the other dark and evil, contend for mastery within a strangely crafted temple. The narrator wakes from a dream in which one spirit emerges victorious over the other. He is then carried between two radiant wings and sees beneath him the dead face of a man he knew well. The vision inspires him to vanquish sin so that he too may one day taste the celestial air of heaven.
Two spirits, one angelic and bright and the other dark and evil, contend for mastery within a strangely crafted temple. The narrator wakes from a dream in which one spirit emerges victorious over the other. He is then carried between two radiant wings and sees beneath him the dead face of a man he knew well. The vision inspires him to vanquish sin so that he too may one day taste the celestial air of heaven.
Two spirits, one angelic and bright and the other dark and evil, contend for mastery within a strangely crafted temple. The narrator wakes from a dream in which one spirit emerges victorious over the other. He is then carried between two radiant wings and sees beneath him the dead face of a man he knew well. The vision inspires him to vanquish sin so that he too may one day taste the celestial air of heaven.
Within it I can see Two spirits of a diverse thought Contend for mastery. One is an angel fair and bright, Adown the aisle comes he, Adown the aisle in raiment white, A creature fair to see. The other wears an evil mien, And he hath doubtless slipt, A fearful being dark and lean, Up from the mouldy crypt.
Is that the roof that grows so black?
Did some one call my name? Was it the bursting thunder crack That filled this place with flame? I move--I wake from out my sleep: Some one hath victor been! I see two radiant pinions sweep, And I am borne between. Beneath the clouds that under roll An upturned face I see-A dead man's face, but, ah, the soul
Was right well known to me!
A man's dead face! Away I haste Through regions calm and fair: Go vanquish sin, and thou shall taste The same celestial air.