Lucifer in Starlight

On a starred night Prince Lucifer arose.
     Tired of his dark dominion swung the fiend
     Above the rolling ball in cloud part screened,
Where sinners hugged the spectre of repose.
Poor prey to his hot fit of pride were those.
     And now upon his western wing he leaned,
     Now his huge bulk over Afric's sands careened,
Now the black planet sheltered Arctic snows.
Soaring through wider zones that pricked his scars
     With memory of the old revolt from Awe,
He reached a middle height, and at the stars
Which are the brain of heaven, he looked, and sank.
Around the ancient track marched, rank on rank,
     The army of unalterable law.

George Meredith