The “Moses” of Michael Angelo

AND who is He that sculptured in huge stone,

Sitteth a giant, where no works arrive

Of straining Art, and hath so prompt and live

The lips, I hasten to their very tone?

Moses is He—Ay, that makes clearly known

The chin’s thick boast, and brow’s prerogative

Of double ray; so did the mountain give

Back to the world that visage, God was grown

Great part of! Such was he when he suspended

Round him the sounding and vast waters; such

When he shut sea on sea o’er Mizraim.

And ye, his hordes, a vile calf raised, and bended

The knee? This Image had ye raised, not much

Had been your error in adoring Him.