To a Lady, LIV

I saw a picture in the air, A shape that bleeding hung: It caught from some far fires a glare, That fearful shadows flung: As when the culprit in his cell, Sees him he slew, and knows him well, So did my conscience cry, ’tis He; So did I know the sight! A being, bleeding patiently, In that terrific light! A flickering blaze it was, that threw Upon his form, a light so blue, And gave pale limbs, a livid hue, To fright me down to Hell! Each sinew strain’d—a writhing frame, The figure in the subtle flame, How fearfully it went and came, How lighted up—and fell!