Europe A Prophecy - Poem

Poem

The book is prefaced by an image known as "The Ancient of Days", a depiction of God separating light and darkness. The poem begins with a description of the source for the vision:

will shew you all alive

The world, where every particle of dust breathes forth its joy. (lines 18-19)

The poem then explains that it is about:

the night of Enitharmons joy

That Woman, lovely Woman! may have dominion

Go! tell the human race that Womans love is Sin;

That an Eternal life awaits the worms of sixty winters

In an allegorical abode where existence hath never come (lines 90-96)

The poem describes the creation of the serpent:

Thought chang'd the infinite to a serpent, that which pitieth:

To a devouring flame; and man fled from its face

Then was the serpent temple form'd image of infinite

Shut up in finite revolutions, and man became an Angel;

Heaven a mighty circle turning; God a tyrant crown'd (lines 141-150)

The poem concludes with Los calling his sons to arms:

But terrible Orc, when he beheld the morning in the east,

Shot from the heights of Enitharmon,

And in the vineyards of red France appear'd the light of his fury.

Then Los arose his head he reard in snaky thunders clad:

And with a cry that shook all nature to the utmost pole,

Call'd all his sons to the strife of blood. (lines 254-265)