The illimitable universe, thy voice Join'd the high chorus; from thy radiant orbs Of splendours that enrich his firmament. gray; The earth has gather'd to her womb again, Have stoop'd with age; the solid continents Their haughty honours in the face of heaven, And beauty still are thine; as clear, as bright, To watch earth's northern beacon, and proclaim The eternal chorus of eternal Love. I wonder as I gaze. That stream of light, Undimm'd, unquench'd-just as I see it nowHas issued from those dazzling points through years That go back far into eternity. Exhaustless flood! for ever spent, renew'd strips The flight of thought, were on their way, the earth Yes, glorious lamp of GOD! He may have quench'd Your ancient flames, and bid eternal night Yet what is this, which to the astonish'd mind Seems measureless, and which the baffled thought Confounds? A span, a point, in those domains Which the keen eye can traverse. Seven stars Dwell in that brilliant cluster, and the sight Upon your gaze thick showers of sparkling fire; be Have travell'd centuries on their flight to earth. Earth, sun, and nearer constellations! what Are ye amid this infinite extent And multitude of God's most infinite works! And these are suns! vast central, living fires, Lords of dependent systems, kings of worlds That wait as satellites upon their power, And flourish in their smile. And meditate the wonder! Awake, my soul, Blaze round thee, leading forth their countless worlds! Worlds in whose bosoms living things rejoice, Known but to thee, blessed Father! Thine they are, Thy children, and thy care; and none o'erlook'd Of thee! No, not the humblest soul that dwells Upon the humblest globe, which wheels its course Amid the giant glories of the sky, Like the mean mote that dances in the beam Amongst the mirror'd lamps, which fling Their wasteful splendour from the palace wall, None, none escape the kindness of thy care; All compass'd underneath thy spacious wing, Each fed and guided by thy powerful hand. Tell me, ye splendid orbs! as from your throne Ye mark the rolling provinces that own Your sway, what beings fill those bright abodes? How form'd, how gifted? what their powers, their state, Their happiness, their wisdom? Do they bear Hate, And sordid Selfishness, and cruel Lust B Leagued their base bands to tread out light and truth, And scatter wo where Heaven had planted joy! And uncorrupt? existence one long joy, And death unfear'd; while fresh and fadeless youth Glows in the light from God's near throne of love? Open your lips, ye wonderful and fair! Speak, speak! the mysteries of those living worlds Unfold! No language? Everlasting light And everlasting silence? May read and understand. Yet the eye The hand of GoD THE GLORY OF THE MAKER. There it shines, Bound to the surface of this pigmy globe, Its range shall be extended; it shall roam, |