VIII. THE REQUIEM 299

“And the likeness of the Firmament upon the heads of the living creatures was as the colour of the terrible crystal.

“And there was a voice from the Firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

“And above the Firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a Throne; and upon the likeness of the Throne was the likeness of the Aspect of a Man above, upon it.

“And from His loins round about I saw as it were the appearance of fire; and it had brightness round about, as the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain. This was the appearance of the likeness of the Glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face.”

Can any of us do the like-or is it worth while?-with only apes’ faces to fall upon, and the forehead that refuses to be ashamed?¹ Or is there, nowadays, no more anything for us to be afraid of, or to be thankful for, in all the wheels, and flame, and light, of earth and heaven?

And this that follows, after the long rebuke, is their Evangelion. This the sum of the voice that speaks in them (chap. xi. 16).

“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord. Though I have cast them far off among the heathen, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the places whither they shall come.

“And I will give them one heart; and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances and do them, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

“Then did the Cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.”

118. That is the story of the Altar-Vault of St. Mark’s,

¹ [Jeremiah iii. 3.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]