My God, when I view Thy creation so grand,
Surpris'd and amaz'd at Thy Majesty stand,
And say with what wisdom the whole's made complete,
With what superb beauty the fabric's replete ;
Though mute, that unerring Thy works plainly tell,
That He is Almighty who formed the whole;
That nature with such rich profusion adorn'd,
By God was created, by God is sustain'd.
Awake, then, my soul, and in hallowed strain,
Give songs of thanksgiving, and honor, and fame,
Tell thou there's a God reigns supreme over earth,
Directing in love, and delighting in truth!
Ascribe to Him glory, salvation, and power,
Whose kingdom's supreme, and Who reigns evermore,
To Him, thy Redeemer, O fervently raise
In grand Hallelujahs the tribute of praise!
In eastern lawns of Eden's fruitful land,
Jehovah next a beauteous* garden plann'd,
Where grew of every kind, delicious fruit, t
To please the palate or delight the sight:
There walks with flower and green-grass plots outlin❜d,
In stately order, through the groves intwin'd;
O'er these, in concave, bending branches roam'd
That from meridian rays seclusion form'd.
Flow'd through the midst a softly murm'ring stream,
Whose verdant banks display'd perpetual green;
Where bloom'd delightful ev'ry fragrant flower,
To weave the garland or adorn the bower.
By laws instinctive sought the feeble vine,
With love's embrace, the stronger branch to join,
And make sweet grapes their crimson clusters spread,
From which profusely richest nectar flow'd.
Each stately grove display'd the luscious fig;
The golden orange bow'd the loaded twig:
The rosy peach down'd side by side the pear,
To rich perfection both abundance bore.
In gilded groups, the fragrant, balmy pine
Perfective rose and hymn'd the sweetest strain.
All sprang spontaneous, and most exquisite,
In season fit luxuriously to treat
The sov'reign man; when choosing to partake,
At pleasure he'd the pleasing bunch to eat.
O'er ground appropriate golden ears were spread,
Which in profusion healthy food suppli'd.
In meadows clothed with the richest green,
The flocks, in pairs, contented feeding seen,
That willingly each passing eve and morn,
Made kindly flow the cheering milky stream.
There peace and happiness were only known,
Pleas'd the fierce lion on the kid to fawn;
The royal tiger woo'd the harmless sheep,
Slept in one fold, in love, the lambkins met;
And all obedient to man's lordly sway,
Flock'd round his cot in sportive love to play.
In ev'ry grove, perch'd in the green-clad tree,
The feather'd warblers chanted melody.
To greet Creation heavenly songsters came,
And rais'd the chord in grand angelic strain,
Through Eden's lawns celestial music rung,
There heavenly choirs Jehovah's praises sung.
In this terrestrial consecrated place,
God station'd man replete with happiness;
To crown his comfort, make delight complete,
Out of a rib form'd him a lovely mate,
Most fair, accomplish'd, blooming, perfect, sound,
Angelic, or in body, or in mind.
Her spouse as waking from a profound sleep,*
The lovely fair all beauteous and complete
First saw advancing love's pure joys to meet,
Led by the parent who diffused life,
To give her to him for a lawful wife.
No lustful passion either mind inflam'd,
In innocence each took the other's hand,
The nuptial bands were by Jehovah ti'd,
He, made bless'd husband, she the happy bride.
Now blooming beauty wooed kind caress,
And virtuous manhood gave true love's address ;
The bashful blush on innocence appear'd,
But modesty the vermil blossom rear'd;
In harmony coalesc'd both hearts as one,
His mind was her's, and her's as his the same.
Disease, and pain, and sorrow, were unknown,
Now happy earth knew neither death nor sin;
Nor mental pride, sure harbinger of strife,
Nor conflict passions that embitter life
Disturbance wrought, love rul'd predominant,
No lure but goodness was concomitant.
Thus were created first of human race,
Such high perfection nothing could efface,
But disobedience to the just command,
Of Him Who gave, and all so perfect form'd.
True happiness abounded everywhere, Almighty God, Thy grand creation o'er; No speck, no blemish, man's first parents knew, Both were the image, Gracious Lord, of Thee, Flesh bloom'd supernal in the grand impress Of Thee, O God, and breath'd but holiness. As God was parent, and His children they So duty bade to love Him and obey : He form'd them perfect, free of ev'ry ill And liberty gave to the bending will; Then said, "A one command to you I give, "Do that observe and you shall surely live, “But if transgress, you certainly must die, "Thus life or death doth at your pleasure lie. "The fruit with which this garden is replete "Is yours; receive it gratefully and eat,
"Except the produce of a special kind,
"Which you nor touch, nor taste, is my command ;*
"If violate it you will evil know,
"A wound so foul death surely will pursue.
Lo, you're created agents perfect free, "Obedient unto none but unto Me,
"If to temptation shall your wills incline,
"The deed's your own, the impious fault's not Mine; "But as your Judge, I'll punish wilful sin,
"Should that your freedom e'er involve you in."
O happy pair, from pain and sorrow free,
Not yet the world, nor you, knew misery!
Contentment, love, and happiness prevail'd,
No thief disturb'd, no enemy assail'd.
To greet the rays of light ere earth arose,
Angelic choirs gave the Eternal praise :
Created fitting for celestial clime,
They in celestial robe resplendent shone.
One, by his Maker, rais'd to honor high,
Resolv'd with His commands not to comply:
The thought pride first instill'd, then spurr'd the crime, 'Mid love, and peace, of foul rebellion.
So form'd a fiend, his nature roused war,
Discordant yells, and murd'rous battles' roar :
He breath'd but death; and those deceived flew
In rank infuriate, with him to destroy.
The clangouring trumpet blew the call to arms,
Contention spread o'er heav'n her dire alarms;
Unfurl'd the banners of destruction wave,
Each savage herald dismal war-howls gave;
Hell gap'd for food with monstrous wide-cleft jaw,
Belch'd horrid roar, and bade her friends deploy.
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