Classic Poem

I saw the great and holy One,
In fashion like a man divine,
Devised of amber wondrous fine,
And filled with flamings like the sun.

Around him bright apparel blew,
Of mingled color, stain on stain,
Like to the bow that follows rain
Because Jehovah's word is true.

Then falling on my face, I heard
A thunder far above my head,
A voice of thunderings that said,
" Arise and listen to my word.

" Arise and listen, son of man!
I send thee to an evil race
That scorns and ever scorned my grace,
Since first its little life began.

" Their utterance is full of stings,
Their looks are sharper than a spear;
Yet, even though they will not hear,
Proclaim the burden of these things. "

Then, reaching through the cloven skies,
A hand, resplendent, swiftly stole,
That held the seeming of a roll
And opened it before my eyes.

I looked upon the roll, and lo
'Twas written close on either side;
Yet naught was written there beside
Lamenting, mourning, wail and woe.