FORMS SUBLIME

This is a continuation of the post SPECTRES OF THE DEAD

This copy of Europe Plate 5 bears several inscription which are thought to have added by Blake's friend Cunningham. At the top are the words 'A Comet'. At the side and bottom are quotes about comets by Rowe, Milton, Homer and Shakespeare.

British Museum
Europe a Prophesy
Plate 5

Enitharmon saw in Los the potential for expressing the same characteristics which typified Orc. She would agree to provide substance to Los's forms only if his fury were moderated. Enitharmon sees the beings which would be brought forth by their work, as ransoms for their own souls. It is doubtful that Blake however would have affirmed the Christian doctrine of Christ as a ransom for sinners. His God did not require payment for forgiveness.

Los draws from the deeps the Spectres who were the result of Urizen's wars and Orc's fiery revolution. Joining in the creation of lasting bodies for the wandering, disembodied Spectres is a joyful experience for Los and Enitharmon. The unselfish, imaginative activity brings additional benefits which were unexpected. Rintrah (wrath) and Palamabron (pity) return to their rightful places within Los's psyche. Los's oldest son Orc reassumes the role of elder brother experiencing joy that the Spectres have been given bodies.

As a whole the passage demonstrates that reducing the level of anger and violence enables cooperation which benefits the giver as well as the receiver. Los, Enitharmon, the Spectres of the Dead, Rintrah, Palamabrom and Orc have had divisions healed and have modified their hostile behaviors.  

Four Zoas, Night VII, Page 98 [90], (E 370)
"Enitharmon spread her beaming locks upon the wind & said   
O Lovely terrible Los wonder of Eternity O Los my defence & guide
Thy works are all my joy. & in thy fires my soul delights
If mild they burn in just proportion & in secret night
And silence build their day in shadow of soft clouds & dews
Then I can sigh forth on the winds of Golgonooza piteous forms  
That vanish again into my bosom   but if thou my Los
Wilt in sweet moderated fury. fabricate forms sublime 
Such as the piteous spectres may assimilate themselves into
They shall be ransoms for our Souls that we may live

So Enitharmon spoke & Los his hands divine inspired began
To modulate his fires studious the loud roaring flames
He vanquishd with the strength of Art bending their iron points
And drawing them forth delighted upon the winds of Golgonooza
From out the ranks of Urizens war & from the fiery lake
Of Orc bending down as the binder of the Sheaves follows   
The reaper in both arms embracing the furious raging flames
Los drew them forth out of the deeps planting his right foot firm
Upon the Iron crag of Urizen thence springing up aloft
Into the heavens of Enitharmon in a mighty circle

And first he drew a line upon the walls of shining heaven    
And Enitharmon tincturd it with beams of blushing love

It remaind permanent a lovely form inspird divinely human
Dividing into just proportions Los unwearied labourd
The immortal lines upon the heavens till with sighs of love
Sweet Enitharmon mild Entrancd breathd forth upon the wind   
The spectrous dead Weeping the Spectres viewd the immortal works
Of Los Assimilating to those forms Embodied & Lovely
In youth & beauty in the arms of Enitharmon mild reposing
First Rintrah & then Palamabron drawn from out the ranks of war
In infant innocence reposd on Enitharmons bosom     
Orc was comforted in the deeps his soul revivd in them
As the Eldest brother is the fathers image So Orc became  
As Los a father to his brethren & he joyd in the dark lake
Tho bound with chains of Jealousy & in scales of iron & brass"

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