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The dialogue between Ahania and Urizen re-introduces the theme of fallen time, or "futurity." The theme was introduced in Night the Second when, after building his universe, Urizen both contemplates his past and fears his future:

Urizen saw & envied, & his imagination was filled. Repining he contemplated the past in his bright

sphere,

Terrified with his heart & spirit at the visions

of futurity

That his dread fancy form'd before him in the

unform'd void.

CK. II. 291-294)

Significantly, his "imagination" is "filled," for the combination of his past activities and his future fears over-stimulates his mental energies. His "heart & spirit" are "Terrified" at the "visions of futurity/That his dread fancy" creates. Further, since it is his "fancy" that is activated, it is from the lower threshold of Urizen's imaging that his fears are projected into the "unform'd void."

At this point, Ahania appeals to Urizen to cease this imaging:

Now sat the King of Light on high upon his starry

throne,

And bright Ahania bow'd herself before his splendid

feet.

"0 Urizen, look on [thy wife that del.] Me; like a

mournful stream "I Embrace[s del.] round thy knees & wet[s her del.]

My bright hair with [her del.] My tears.

5 "Why sighs my Lord? are not the morning stars thy

obedient Sons?

"Do they not bow their bright heads at thy voice?

at thy command

"Do they not fly into their stations & return their

light to thee?

"The immortal Atmospheres are thine; there thou art

seen in glory

"Surrounded by the ever changing Daughters of the

Light.

10 "[Thou sit'st in harmony, for God hath set thee over

all del.]

"Why wilt thou look upon futurity, dark'ning present

joy?"

(K. III. L-ll)