Far away--as in the heart of an aeonian silence, I heard the clear jubilant outcry of the golden throat.

It hurled defiance at death and the dark; sang infinite hope, and coming calm.

It was the "expectation of the creature" finding at last a voice; the cry of a chaos that would be a kingdom! Then I heard a great flapping.
"The black bat is flown!" said Mara.
"Amen, golden cock, bird of God!" cried Adam, and the words rang through the house of silence, and went up into the airy regions.
At his AMEN--like doves arising on wings of silver from among the potsherds, up sprang the Little Ones to their knees on their beds, calling aloud, "Crow! crow again, golden cock!"-- as if they had both seen and heard him in their dreams.
Then each turned and looked at the sleeping bedfellow, gazed a moment with loving eyes, kissed the silent companion of the night, and sprang from the couch.

The Little Ones who had lain down beside my father and mother gazed blank and sad for a moment at their empty places, then slid slowly to the floor.

There they fell each into the other's arms, as if then first, each by the other's eyes, assured they were alive and awake.
Suddenly spying Lona, they came running, radiant with bliss, to embrace her.